The fireplace evaluation. Gas, wood or electric?

Autumn is a time of crisp, cold days, lengthening shadows and longer nights. What better feeling is there than returning from a vigorous, life-enhancing walk through the falling leaves and relaxing in your favourite chair next to a warm and cosy fire?

For many people, autumn is peak time for choosing a new fireplace. Whether it’s a stand-alone project or part of a home transformation, there have never been so many factors to consider.

Do you choose a gas fire, a wood burning stove or an electric fire? Will you convert your existing chimney or select a fire or stove that requires no chimney? Is design or energy efficiency the key consideration? And will your choice of fireplace be built-in or freestanding? Let’s look at the options.

Gas fires

Despite frequent predictions of its demise, gas heating is still with us and will be for the foreseeable future. It gives you real, dancing flames, comfortable heating with capacities for any size of living space and high energy efficiency.

DRU has developed a range of contemporary gas fires that can be installed with or without a chimney, are suitable for modern or traditional homes, and offer high design and performance standards.

A good example is the DRU Maestro 75XTU Tall model, pictured above, which is not just a fire but a piece of spectacular architecture that will make a dramatic statement in your living room.

If you want to make full use of your existing chimney, a good option is the DRU Global 70XT CF gas fire. This has a conventional flue, which fits neatly into a standard UK Class 1 chimney.

Like all modern gas fires, it is glass-fronted for maximum visibility and efficient operation. It will transform a tired and dated chimney into an impressive contemporary fireplace that provides comfortable heat all year round.

Finally, if you want the dramatic impact of a freestanding stove but with the convenience of gas, DRU designs and produces a range of gas stoves.

These include the Passo, a striking cylindrical stove that is over 1 metre high and available in a range of six colour finishes to match any décor. Its balanced flue technology allows it to be installed in almost any location around the home, with the flue being placed either through an outside-facing wall or through the roof.

Wood-burning fires and stoves

Wood fires and stoves are also hugely popular. They are known as the sustainable heating option, with beautiful flames and generous heat outputs to match.

The latest models must comply with rigorous UK and European product approvals for emissions and efficiency standards, so you can be assured that your new fire or stove is kind to the environment and enhances safe air quality.

DRU designs and produces a large selection of wood stoves and fires under its Dik Geurts brand. They include classic stoves like the Ivar, which is tailor-made for UK chimneys and evocative, contemporary stoves like the Oval, which can grace any setting, from rural retreats to urban loft apartments.

The Oval is available in three versions: Legs for a freestanding arrangement, Fixed to be mounted on to a wall or Tunnel, which is suspended from the ceiling, with the fire visible from both sides.

Dik Geurts models also extend to elegant and practical built-in wood fires, with a choice of sizes, capacities and aspects. As well as standard chimney inserts, there are 2-sided corner fires, 3-sided panoramic fires and even see-through tunnel fires that can be viewed from adjoining rooms.

Electric fires

Electric fires have been transformed in recent years from basic, functional appliances to models with impressive standards of design and performance.

Consumers are turning in large numbers to the electric option for its plug-and-play convenience, low carbon footprint and compatibility with integrated media walls, which have become a standard feature in so many homes. Media walls, which can include a TV and sound system, can also accommodate gas fires and wood stoves.

DRU is at the forefront of this trend. The latest DRU Virtuo Evolve range of electric fires features realistic, projected flame images, authentic logs, glowing embers and even the sound of crackling wood, all controlled by a useful app for phones and tablets.

The great advantage is there are no complex gas or flue connections and the fires can be used for supplementary heating or purely as decorative appliances.

They are also ideal for public spaces such as hotels, restaurants and other hospitality settings, where they can provide atmosphere and visual appeal. Despite their convincing flames, they are cool to touch with no danger to children or adults.

DRU. A company forged in history

DRU was established as a foundry in the Netherlands in 1754 and has been making heating appliances since the 1930s. Today it is part of a multi-national company with distributors throughout Europe, including over 200 dealers in all areas of the UK. See the DRU video

To help you reach your decision on the best fireplace for your home, visit a DRU dealer this weekend. They have a wide selection of fireplaces in all fuel types, many of which are on live display. They will advise you on the best option for your home and offer full design and installation services.

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