Case study
A Georgian fireplace for a new garden room
This project brought a beautiful new garden room to life at The Old Vicarage in Husthwaite, near Easingwold. The owners wanted a proper focal point with real presence, so we designed and fitted a bespoke Georgian style fireplace around a Stovax Chesterfield 5 wood burning stove, coordinating our work with the build from the very first drawings.
Involved from the start
Planned into the build, not added on after
Installations like this work best when the fireplace is considered while the room is still being built. We carried out an early site survey during the construction of the garden room, so every detail could be coordinated with the joiner, the heating installer and the wider programme of works.
Ahead of the visit we set out the area that needed to be kept clear of the underfloor heating pipework. That let the heating installer leave the floor beneath the fireplace free, giving us a solid, uninterrupted base for the granite hearth without disturbing the rest of the underfloor system. We also gave the site joiner a dimensioned sketch of the flue route, so the roof timbers were set in the right place first time and the flue could pass through the flat roof without any costly alterations later on.
The feature chimney breast
A centrepiece on the main wall
To give the room a true focal point, we built a bespoke, non-combustible chimney breast on the main external wall, positioned centrally and lined up with the new roof lantern for a balanced, symmetrical feature.
The chimney breast was formed with a metal stud framework and Glasroc fireboard, measuring 1,650mm wide by 450mm deep and running to full room height. Within it we created a handcrafted brick-effect stove chamber of 950mm by 950mm by 450mm for an authentic, traditional look.
An Antique Leather granite hearth was set into the chamber, with a matching front hearth in the same stone, giving the stove a durable and elegant base to stand on.
The bespoke surround
Georgian styling, made to measure
The timber surround was handcrafted in the UK to our exact specification, so it suited the room's proportions perfectly. We produced a full design drawing for approval before anything was made, which let the client's interior designer sign off every detail with complete confidence.
Inspired by classic Georgian architecture, the finished surround features elegant roundels and finely incised panelling, painted in a rich Farrow and Ball colour. It gives the room a timeless focal point that would sit just as happily in a traditional home as a contemporary one.
The stove
Stovax Chesterfield 5
The ideal choice for this room was the Stovax Chesterfield 5kW cast iron stove, with a heat output range of 2.5 to 7kW. It burns both seasoned wood and approved smokeless fuels, and it is DEFRA approved for use in smoke control areas, so it combines classic styling with modern, clean-burning technology. The large window and airwash system help keep the glass clear for an uninterrupted view of the fire, and as an authorised Stovax retailer we were able to offer the reassurance of the five year casting warranty.
The stove was fitted with a direct external air supply rather than a traditional room vent. This draws fresh combustion air straight from outside into the appliance, which reduces draughts in the room and gives a cleaner, more efficient burn. For most new build rooms and extensions built since 2008, a dedicated combustion air supply of this kind is required under the Building Regulations, and the right option always depends on the property and the appliance.
Coordinated with the build,
finished to enjoy from day one.
The flue system
A clean route through a flat roof
A high quality twin-wall insulated stainless steel flue was installed within the new chimney breast and taken up through the flat roof, using a durable weatherproof flashing for a watertight finish. Outside, the flue is held securely by a heavy-duty adjustable steel wall bracket finished in matching black, which keeps everything stable even in severe weather.
The flue terminates around 1,500mm above the roofline for safe, efficient operation, with a matching black anti-downdraught cowl fitted to keep out birds, rain and wind and to hold the draught steady. Once the stove was connected, it was fully commissioned and tested, a carbon monoxide alarm was fitted in the correct position, and the completed installation was certified under HETAS.
The finishing touches
Looking after the whole house
Before the installation, our trusted chimney sweep thoroughly cleaned the property's existing flues, four on the ground floor and five on the first floor. We also capped and ventilated five redundant chimney pots and fitted a 300mm Chimney Sheep into each, which cuts cold draughts and heat loss while still letting the flues breathe to guard against damp.
To finish, the owners received a complimentary Goodechip starter pack, with kindling, firelighters and a bag of kiln-dried logs, so they had everything they needed to enjoy the new stove straight away.
HETAS registered
Installed with care, certified with confidence
Carl self-certifies every installation and notifies Building Control on your behalf, so the work is signed off properly and your certificate of compliance is issued for your records.
- HETAS-registered installer
- Certificate of compliance issued
- Meets your home insurance
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HETAS-registered installs. We cover Leeds, Harrogate, Wetherby, York, Ripon, Malton, Thirsk and Scarborough.