If only everything in life was as simple as buying and using a fireplace or stove. Because of the huge range of products available, choosing a fireplace or stove will probably be the most difficult part of the process. But let’s start at the beginning...

Step 1 – Advice from your chimney sweep

Before you start looking for a fireplace or stove, you should ask your chimney sweep to visit your house so that he can tell you about the options available to you. He will be familiar with the emissions regulations for your area and will be able to give you unbiased advice, for example about the heat which a currently unused chimney can withstand and the amount of heating needed in rooms of different sizes. What if I don't already have a chimney? That's not a problem. There are cost-effective ways of installing chimneys retrospectively. (See the section Installation under Fireplace Expertise) You can also discuss this with your chimney sweep.

Step 2 – Where should the fireplace or stove be installed?

You can often resolve this question in step 1, by discussing it with your chimney sweep. If you have a suitable chimney, then it makes sense to install the fireplace or stove there. Most people choose to have a fireplace or stove in their living room. This makes sense because it is often the largest heated room in the house and therefore needs the largest supply of heat. In addition, the living room is the place where you relax and enjoy your own home. What could be better than sitting by a warm fire and watching the flames?

Step 3 – Visiting the fireplace shop

Often the most difficult but also the most enjoyable part of the process is choosing the fireplace or stove. Buying a fireplace or stove is very similar to buying furniture. What are your requirements? What suits your house best? And finally – because this is not necessarily the same thing – which stove or fireplace do you like best? One tip: A large viewing panel will not only give a lot of pleasant radiant heat, but also the best view of the fire. Make sure that you choose a high-quality fireplace or stove. With ROBAX^® glass-ceramic panels from SCHOTT, you can be confident that you have made the right choice.

Step 4 – Installation

Tiled stoves or fireplaces, which are more complex, must be installed by experts. They will know the regulations inside out and therefore there will be no problem with approval (step 5). This also applies to wood-burning stoves and cookers. However, if you are experienced at DIY, you may be able to do the work yourself, after consulting your chimney sweep. It is important to find out in detail about the relevant regulations.

Step 5 – Approval and lighting the fire

Congratulations! You are now the proud owner of a fireplace or stove. It really wasn’t difficult, was it? Finally you should ask your chimney sweep to check over the fireplace or stove. If you have followed his instructions, this is simply a formality. Now, all you need is light the fire, sit back and relax!