As Coole Fencing develop the new Timber Mantels venture,  providing mantels or floating shelves to accompany or frame a new stove purchase, it is very interesting to look at the benefits and features of Wood Burning Stoves.  See interesting article below from Heat Design which is an Irish company with over 40 years experience in the stove and heating industry.

Wood Stoves      

Because of their classic design, wood burning stoves are a beautiful addition to any home. They create a rustic atmosphere, a throw-back to a simpler time. Unlike fireplaces, these freestanding units don’t depend on the fire; they actually warm up a room through radiation. Since they are constructed out of cast iron or steel, these hearths emit heat through the material, which makes for a more continuous current.There are two types of wood stoves – free standing and insert stoves. If there is an existing fireplace at your home then an insert stove will fit into the fire box, venting the smoke up the chimney could be a good option. If there is no fireplace, then a free standing unit with its own exhaust pipe can be a good alternative.

Tips when buying a Wood Burning Stove :

For starters, a stove which snugly fits your room is the best. For that, consider the area (in square feet) of the concerned room.

• In the condition where the stove is too big, you would end up wasting fuel, as it will burn on a very low temperature to prevent overheating.
• It is better not to rush into buying a stove. It is ideal if it is bought from an authorized dealer.
• Look for the Environmental Protection Agency and heat output stamps.
• Check for the compatibility of the material above which the stove is going to be kept, as there are few materials which are not suited for a wood stove.

Ultimately it is the preference of the buyer, which will determine what kind of a wood stove is the best. A free standing pellet stove is a fantastic alternative for a conventional fireplace. Although, a wood buring stove might not replace the Victorian charm of a fireplace for some.

Information retrieved from http://www.tripp.ie/heatdesign/Main/Home.htm