Choosing a wood-burning stove can be daunting, with many styles and installation options. To make it easier, we present four main design choices: a squared opening, an oak beam, a surround, or a twin-wall flue system for homes without a suitable chimney. All installations include a hearth that provides a stable base for the stove and protects the floor. 

For installations with chimney breasts, all start with a squared opening, and the option to add an oak beam or surround depends on your personal style and preferences. Below, we provide detailed explanations and example images to help you envision your ideal fireplace. For more inspiration and our latest installations, follow us on Instagram or Facebook.

SQUARED OPENING

A square opening provides a sleek, minimalist, and modern appearance. The wood-burning stove is positioned directly on the hearth within the chimney opening, without any oak beam or surround. In this design, the stove itself naturally becomes the centrepiece of the room.

OAK BEAM

A sturdy oak beam brings warmth and character to a wood-burning stove setup. Each piece is handcrafted and selected for its distinctive splits, flecks, and knots, natural features that enhance oak’s genuine appeal. Available in various finishes, an oak beam serves as a focal point that enhances both traditional and modern interiors.

SURROUNDS

Surrounds made of marble, Aegean limestone, or cast iron serve as timeless centrepieces that frame the stove, blending the charm of a traditional fireplace with the performance of a modern wood-burning stove.

FREESTANDING STOVES – TWINWALL

Twin-wall flue systems allow wood-burning stoves to be installed in properties without a suitable flue for solid fuel, whether in houses built without chimneys, in extensions, or where the original chimney breast has been removed.

A twin-wall flue system can either pass through an external wall and up the side of the property, or pass directly through the roof, enabling a stove to be installed where a traditional chimney is not available. Please see our Twin wall Flue page for more information.

HEARTHS

All wood-burning stove installations require a hearth, which serves as the base for the stove and protects the floor from ash and embers. There are many suitable materials to choose from, allowing you to match your style and budget.

Riven slate

Brazilian slate features rich charcoal tones with subtle blue-black variation, creating a bold yet timeless finish. Natural movement within the stone adds texture and character, ensuring that every hearth is unique.

Cut from large-format slabs, each hearth can be crafted from a single piece, providing a clean and seamless finish with no visible joints.

Carefully selected premium-grade slate offers exceptional strength and durability, making it an ideal choice for a wood-burning stove installation. The natural tonal variation within the stone adds depth and character, giving each hearth its own individual appearance.

Honed granite

Honed granite is finished just before the final buffing stage, resulting in a smooth satin sheen without the high-gloss finish of traditional polished granite. This subtle surface works equally well in both classic and contemporary interiors.

Its soft, eggshell-like appearance pairs particularly well with marble surrounds, while its grey tones complement the darker veins often found in natural stone.

Honed granite is also well suited to modern interiors, where its clean, uniform finish works perfectly alongside Scandinavian freestanding stoves and twin-wall flue systems.

Yorkshire sandstone

Sandstone has a timeless, natural appearance and is available in two distinctive shades: York Stone, with its warm buff tones, and Morley Grey, a light, neutral grey.

Both options feature a honed finish, which is smooth to the touch with a natural, matte appearance, are available with either smooth or chiselled edges, and are supplied in a substantial 50 mm thickness.

Tiled hearths

Tiled hearths provide a durable and versatile alternative to stone, with a wide range of colours and patterns available.

From traditional quarry tiles to geometric and decorative designs, there are options to suit any fireplace.

Bespoke sizes are also available. Hearths can also be made using customer-supplied tiles; please ask for more information.

Indian sandstone / Black limestone flags

Both are hard-wearing stones, featuring a pronounced riven texture and a pitched edge.

Supplied in a smaller slab format, they offer a cost-effective alternative to larger stone hearths. Depending on the size of the chimney breast and stove opening, the hearth will be laid from two or three separate slabs.

Free Standing Hearths

Riven slate and honed granite hearths are popular choices for freestanding stoves, complementing both traditional and contemporary interiors. For a more minimalist look, selected Contura models are also available with a low-profile steel floor plate, creating a clean Scandinavian-inspired finish.

Openings walls – Boarded or Brick

The opening within the chimney breast where the stove sits is known as the chamber. Below, you’ll find the different finishes available for the walls behind and either side of the stove.

Fireboard

The opening within the chimney breast where the stove sits is known as the chamber. Below, you’ll find the different finishes available for the walls behind and either side of the stove.

Original Brickwork

For those who prefer a more rustic finish, the original brickwork can sometimes be cleaned and repointed. However, decades of soot staining from coal fires mean that it is rare to find brickwork in a condition worth restoring.

The chamber must first be opened to assess the condition of the brickwork and determine whether restoration is possible.

Brick / Tile panels

For those who prefer the look of brickwork without the uncertainty of restoring the original chamber, brick tile panels are made from thin slices of brick fixed to fireboard, creating the appearance of a traditional brick chamber without reducing the depth and width of the opening.

Available in cross-bond and herringbone patterns, they come in a choice of four colour blends. Tiled finishes are also available.

OAK BEAMS

A solid oak beam adds warmth and character to a wood-burning stove installation. Each beam is handcrafted and carefully selected for its unique splits, flecks and knots—the natural features that give oak its authentic charm.

Two shades are kept in stock: a light/medium finish and a medium/dark finish. Each beam is brushed to highlight the oak’s natural grain, creating a textured, characterful appearance that perfectly complements a wood-burning stove.

Bespoke beams in alternative sizes, shades and finishes can also be made to order—please get in touch for more information.

Crafted from carefully seasoned oak, our beams are built to provide both durability and lasting beauty.

Having experimented with cheaper beams in the past, I’ve encountered significant shrinkage due to inadequate curing. These beams, however, are of the highest quality oak I’ve ever sourced and crafted by a true artisan, ensuring both durability and lasting beauty.

Oak beams – light / medium stain

Light/medium oak staining enhances the natural grain and texture of the brushed oak, creating a warm, golden finish that showcases the character of the timber.

Oak beams – Medium / Dark stain

Medium/dark oak staining enhances the natural grain and texture of the oak, creating a rich finish that showcases the character of the timber and provides a striking contrast with its surroundings.

Focus cast beam

A Focus Cast non-combustible oak beam replicates the warmth and character of traditional oak while offering the practical benefits of a fire-resistant material.

It is particularly suited to installations with a television above the stove, as its non-combustible properties allow the beam to be positioned lower than a traditional wooden beam, enabling the television to sit at a more comfortable viewing height.

SURROUNDS

Marble, Aegean limestone and cast-iron surrounds frame the stove, combining traditional character with the efficiency of a modern wood-burning stove.

The Berkshire – Limestone / Marble

The Berkshire surround is available in Aegean limestone and marble. The marble version features a 56” shelf, while the limestone version offers both 51” and 56” shelf options to accommodate different chimney breast widths.

An added benefit of the Berkshire surround is that the legs can be adjusted up to 50mm further apart, increasing both the opening width and the overall outside width (leg to leg) to better suit your space.

The Banbury – Limestone

The Banbury surround is crafted from Aegean limestone. With a classical design, it features sculpted legs and a tiered mantel shelf — a timeless combination that complements elegant, traditional interiors.

The Ashby – Limestone

The Ashby surround is available in Aegean limestone. Its design features gently rounded legs and chest detailing, paired with a shaped mantel shelf. This versatile style blends seamlessly with both traditional and contemporary interiors.

The Rivington – Limestone / Marble

Available in marble, the Rivington surround features incised corbel mantel shelf supports — a classic detail that makes it a popular choice for traditional interiors.

The Portland – Cast Iron

A tall, classic design with bold lines, finished in matte black – the perfect match for period properties and timeless interiors.

The Kingsley – Marble

Available in marble, the Kingsley surround features incised corbel mantel shelf supports — a timeless detail that makes it a popular choice for traditional interiors.