Log burners not only help to make the house warmer without adding to your energy bills, but they bring a cosy ambience too. However, if you’re thinking about adding one to your home, there are a few things you should consider in order to get the perfect design and installation. Here’s how to make your fireplace crackle and pop.
Choose a stove with the right heat output
How much heat a log burner can put out varies between 3kW and 12kW. Some log burners can throw out even more heat. But it’s important to choose one that’s suitable for the size of the room it’s going in – too high an output and your room could get way too hot, too low and your stove won’t serve its purpose. The best way to work this out is to calculate how big your room is in cubic metres and divide this by 14. This total is roughly the kW output you need.
Consider the size
The physical size of your log burner is also important, especially if it needs to fit into an existing fireplace or is going in a compact room. There are slim and space-saving designs that can help if this is an issue. But even if you have plenty of space to play with, size is still important. A small-sized stove could look a bit lost in a large room or an inglenook fireplace. So, it might not create the focal point that you’re hoping for.
Think outside the box
Of course, you don’t need to go big to make an impact. You can make your log burner stand out by going for one that isn’t black. A pop of yellow, red or blue would certainly draw the eye to your fireplace. If you’re not placing your stove in an existing fireplace, you could also consider a stove that’s suspended from the ceiling or a rounded stove that sits on a stand.
Match the stove design to your interior
If you want your stove to blend in with your home’s décor, it’s worth trying to match the stove design to your home’s age and your interior style. Stoves come in traditional and gothic styles as well as sleek and minimalist designs. So, it’s worth thinking about what will work best to keep your home looking cohesive.
Don’t forget the surround and hearth
It’s not just the log burner that you should consider, the hearth and surround are also important if you want a stylish fireplace. Again, you want this to blend in with your home’s interior but you also want it to stand out. In a cottage, you might go with a rustic wooden beam for your mantel but in a Georgian or Victorian townhouse, you might go with a traditional limestone or timber surround. Slate is a great material for hearths but you may prefer patterned tiles to make more of a statement.
Make a focal point of it
There are other ways to make a focal point of your log burner. In modern homes, an inset stove with no surround can be best to retain a clean-lined look. So, you might choose to have your burner as part of a feature wall instead. You might also build in a log store to enhance the design. If you have a chimney breast that serves two rooms, you could open it up and use a double-sided log burner. So, it’s the focal point in both rooms. A double-sider burner can also work as a room divider in open-plan spaces. Alternatively, you could use a contrasting colour scheme – perhaps going with a dark colour on the walls to make a bright yellow or white stove really pop.
Consider extras
Some wood-burning stoves come with extra features such as hot plates and oven boxes, so you can use the heat for cooking or boiling a kettle as well as heating the home. If you live in a rural area, this could help you reduce energy costs and increase your resilience against power cuts.
Go with a quality design
Choosing a good-quality stove design can make your life easier and help you get the most out of having a log burner. Look for design features such as efficient vents and an airflow system that clears blackened windows. The handle design and door size can make a difference in how easy it is to throw on your logs. So, pay attention to these details too. It’s also worth checking the construction and efficiency rating as a more solid construction retains heat better and a higher efficiency means less heat is wasted.
Make a log store
If you’re planning to use the log burner a lot over winter, it’s worth building a log store in your garden. This will save your wood from getting damp and producing too much smoke. Position the store where it’s sheltered to avoid the worst of the weather but still gets some sun to allow logs to dry out.
Do the prep
To get the best set-up for your log burner, have it professionally installed by HETAS-registered trades. This will ensure any prep, such as the lining of a chimney, is done properly. It will also ensure it’s safe to use and meets building regulations.
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