The Best Fireplaces to Use With Log Burners

A fireplace makes the ideal location for a log burner. Not only does it provide a safe, stable location for your stove, but it makes for a fantastic focal point. If you’re thinking about adding a fireplace to your home, then keep reading to discover the best log burner fireplaces…

Can you install a stove in a fireplace?

One of the common misconceptions many people have about log burners is that they can’t be installed in a fireplace. This, however, isn’t true.

It’s entirely possible to install a log burner in a fireplace, provided it’s done in the right way.

In order to correctly install a log burner in a fireplace, you will need to check that you have the correct:

Chimney type.
Flue diameter.
Fireplace opening size.
Stove heat output.
Room ventilation.
Hearth size and thickness.

If you’re unsure of these things, then we would recommend calling in the services of a professional stove fitter to carry out the work for you. You can find your local fitter by using HETAS’ ‘Find an Installer’ tool.

Guide - for more information, read our guide to installing a stove in an existing fireplace.

What’s included in a log burner fireplace?

With the above points in mind, you may be wondering what’s included with a log burner fireplace?

The answer is - it depends on exactly what model fireplace you buy. Every manufacturer differs, with some including more parts and features than others.

However, in general, you can expect a log burner fireplace to come with the following parts:

Surround.
Hearth (sometimes also an ‘inner hearth’).
Chamber.

Axon Montana Limestone Fireplace with Reeded Limestone Chamber

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Fireplace surround

Ask someone to conjure up an image of a fireplace, and in all likelihood it’s the surround that they’ll come up with.

The surround is the most ‘obvious’ and visual part of a fireplace, being the section most likely to be ornamented and prominent. Surrounds are available in a wide range of styles, ranging from Tudor and Georgian inspired styles, through to more contemporary Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles.

The majority of surrounds incorporate the mantel (the mantel being the flat horizontal ‘top’ to the surround). In some instances, you may find that the mantel is supplied as a separate part, to be placed on top of the surround during installation - as we said earlier, these things vary between manufacturers.

Hearth

The hearth is a very important part of your fireplace, not only serving as a solid, stable base for your log burner, but playing an important safety role too.

The hearth is the ‘floor’ of your fireplace and will be made of a non-combustible material - typically a stone such as limestone, granite, or marble.

There are strict rules regarding hearths and log burners, which are set out in the Building Regulations. So, it’s vital that you select a fireplace with a hearth that is of the correct size and thickness for your log burner.

Depending on the fireplace that you buy, you may find that you are supplied with two hearths. These will be an inner hearth and an outer hearth. As you’d expect, the inner hearth sits within the fireplace itself, whilst the outer hearth protrudes out from the fireplace.

Guide - for more information, read our guide to hearths for log burners.

Fireplace chamber

The chamber is typically considered to be the three walls that sit within the heart of the fireplace. The chamber is important for several reasons:

A fireplace chamber will cover up the bare bricks or plaster at the rear of the fireplace, making the fireplace look more attractive.
A well-made fireplace chamber will help to radiate heat from the stove back into the room.
A chamber also helps to protect brickwork and plaster work behind the fireplace from exposure to excessive heat.

A fireplace chamber will normally be made from either the same material as the rest of the fireplace, or a similar material. For example, some fireplaces will have a limestone surround and hearth, but a brick chamber.

Guide - for more information, read our guide to fireplace chambers.

Axon Durrington Limestone Fireplace with Reeded Limestone Chamber

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What other parts do you require for a log burner fireplace?

Aside from the parts listed above that you’ll generally get in a log burner fireplace package, there are a number of other parts you’ll need.

Depending on your particular stove and circumstances, these additional parts can include:

Flexible metal flue liner.
Stove-pipe.
Flue liner adaptors and collars.
Register plate.
Chimney cowl.
Air vents.
Heat cement.

This is just a broad overview. Remember, that your own individual log burner fireplace installation may require specific parts or adjustments.

Tip - instead of buying all of these components individually, it can be easier to buy a stove fitting kit.

What are the best fireplaces to use with log burners?

If you’ve decided upon a new log burner fireplace - be it a new build, or a replacement for an existing fireplace - you’ll find some of the very best log burner fireplaces detailed below.

Axon Brompton Limestone Fireplace with Reeded Chamber

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Featuring a clean, modern design, the Axon Brompton is crafted from the finest Portuguese limestone that features natural variations and striations.

The Axon Brompton includes the following parts:

Brompton limestone surround.
1370 mm (54”) limestone hearth.
915 mm (36”) limestone inner hearth.
4-piece reeded chamber.

These combine to create an impressive and imposing fireplace that’ll look the part in even the finest and most sumptuous of homes.

Axon Coniston Limestone Fireplace with Reeded Limestone Chamber

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Harkening back to the fireplaces of the Tudor age, the Axon Coniston features a beautifully-angled opening and a bold and commanding surround.

Despite its bold shape and silhouette, the Coniston isn’t overly decorative or ornate - meaning it’ll sit well in homes traditional and modern alike.

When you buy the Coniston, you’ll get:

Coniston limestone surround.
1370 mm (54”) limestone hearth.
915 mm (36”) limestone inner hearth.
4-piece reeded limestone chamber - which can be made to measure if required.

Made from the very best Portuguese limestone, the Coniston features the natural variations in colour and pattern that are inherent with this type of stone.

Portman Chatsworth Limestone Fireplace with Limestone Chamber and Granite Hearth

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If you want a fireplace for your log burner that’ll truly turn heads, then buy the Chatsworth from Portman.

With its bulky, large proportions that are married to an uncomplicated, considered design, the Chatsworth is a big fireplace that makes a statement without being gauche or over-the-top.

In that sense, it’s the ideal fireplace for log burners - allowing the viewer’s attention to be drawn to the fire within the stove - as opposed to being drawn to extraneous detailing on the surround.

Purchase the Portman Chatsworth and you’ll get:

Chatsworth limestone surround.
1370 mm x 380 mm (54” x 15”) slabbed granite hearth.
915 mm (36”) granite inner hearth.
4-piece limestone chamber - which can be made to measure if required.

Like the other fireplaces listed above, the Chatsworth is made from the very finest Portuguese limestone. Because of this, it possesses the visual characteristics that are inherent to limestone.

Sienna Aegean Limestone Fireplace with Reeded Chamber

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Put the attention on your stove with this understated and elegant log burner fireplace.

The Sienna Aegean features very simple lines, and a minimalist profile, making it suitable for homes old and new alike.

Combining a granite hearth with a limestone surround and chamber, the Sienna Aegean is also an attractive fireplace in the way in which it combines these two different - but complementary - stones.

Purchase the Sienna Aegean and you’ll get:

Sienna Aegean limestone surround.
1370 mm (54”) slabbed granite hearth.
915 mm (36”) granite inner hearth.
Granite slip set.
Reeded chamber.

Axon Cotswold Limestone Fireplace with Rustic Brick Chamber

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Add a touch of rustic, rural charm to your home with the Axon Cotswold - a log burner fireplace that combines the clean, sleekness of limestone, with the warmth and charm of brickwork.

The Cotswold also stands out thanks to the delicate, considered ovolo convex decorative detailing which adorns the inside of the fireplace’s legs and arched top. This detailing continues across the underside of the mantel, creating a cohesive aesthetic unity across the front of the fireplace.

Yet, this detail doesn’t come at the expense of simplicity. In fact, the Cotswold sports a surprisingly minimalist silhouette, with the front face of the fireplace’s legs being free from ornamentation too.

This results in a fireplace which - whilst being elegant and attractive - won’t detract from your log burner.

The Cotswold’s simple beauty continues with the slate hearth, which contrasts nicely with the limestone surround and brick chamber.

If the Cotswold proves to be the log burner fireplace for you, then you’ll get:

Cotswold limestone surround.
1370 mm (54” x 18”) slate hearth.
915 mm (36” x 15”) slate inner hearth.
3-piece rustic brick chamber.

With the surround being made of Portuguese limestone, expect to find that it embodies the natural characteristics of limestone, such as striations and variations in the stone’s appearance and colour.

Buy your log burner fireplace today

If you’re looking for the best place to buy a log burner fireplace, then look no further than Direct Stoves.

We offer FREE mainland UK delivery, 14-day no hassle returns, and a range of finance options to help you spread the cost of your new fireplace (including 0% interest over 12 months).

Our expert, friendly sales team is also on hand to answer any questions you may have about our fireplaces for stoves. You can reach them on 0161 516 3698 or at: [email protected].