Types of fires and fireplaces
What are the main types of gas fires?
Gas fires are produced in two main types, conventional flue and balanced flue gas fires.
Conventional flue gas fires
Conventional flue gas fires (or open combustion gas fires) must always be connected to a chimney in order to function safely and correctly. Air is drawn from the surrounding living area and combined with draught air from the chimney for combustion. Waste gases are then expelled up the chimney and into the atmosphere.
Conventional flue gas fires can be open-fronted or glass-fronted, although most modern gas fires are glass-fronted. This is because a fire behind glass is safer and more energy efficient than an open fire.
Ventilation points are needed at the front of the fire to capture the air flow and to assist in the convection of the radiant heat. Ventilation openings are also required in the outside facing walls of the living room to facilitate effective air flow and ensure comfort and safety.
Conventional flue gas fires include fireplace inserts that are installed directly into a standard 22” UK chimney opening, letterbox (or hole-in-the-wall) contemporary gas fires, portrait-shaped gas fires, 2 and 3 sided gas fires, basket fires and even freestanding gas stoves that can be installed under the mantle of a hollowed out inglenook fireplace.
DRU fires, under its Global range, has a large selection of conventional flue, open combustion gas fires in a variety of shapes, sizes and price points that are suitable for traditional or contemporary homes.
Many of the fires can be combined with elegant fire surrounds or attractive outer frames to enhance the appearance of the fires.
Fire beds are available in logs, twigs or pebbles and there is a selection of interior finishes including matt black, classic brick or mirrored Ceraglass.
It all adds up to one of the finest selections of UK-compatible, conventional flue gas fires that are available from any manufacturer.
Balanced flue gas fires
Balanced flue gas fires (or closed combustion gas fires) can be installed with or without a conventional brick chimney.
Air is drawn from outside the building for combustion, with waste gases expelled outside using a concentric flue, which is connected to the top of the fire and inserted through an outside facing wall.
All balanced flue gas fires are room-sealed, glass-fronted appliances. As well as being attractive in appearance, they provide high levels of comfort due to the fact that the oxygen levels in the home are not being depleted.
Balanced flue gas fires also have higher-than-average energy efficiency ratings, due to their closed combustion system and modern fireplace engineering standards.
Because there are no restrictions in terms of chimney size, balanced flue gas fires are available in a huge range of sizes, shapes and designs. There are letterbox, portrait and landscape models; 2-sided, 3-sided and see-through tunnel fires as well as freestanding contemporary gas stoves.
Although it is possible to install a balanced flue gas fire into a standard chimney, most are installed into a false chimneybreast, which replicates the appearance of a brick fireplace. The false chimneybreast cleverly conceals the fire engine and flue, revealing just the interior with its realistic fire bed.
This in turn can be combined with natural stone fire surrounds or a wide selection of beautiful, tailor-made outer frames to enhance the appearance of the fires.
Balanced flue gas fires are available with authentic log effect displays, natural looking twigs, pebbles, stones and even anthracite glass. Interiors include matt or glossy black, natural stone, classic brick and mirrored Ceraglass.
Elegant, comfortable and energy efficient, balanced flue gas fires are an inspired choice for period or contemporary homes.