Stone Fireplace, Stone Staircase, Limestone Fireplaces

Well it seems rain has now replaced the snow, but at least that means it’s a bit warmer, and all our stone stock isn’t frozen together any more! It also means our customers can hopefully start their building projects again, now that the risk of frost damage is reduced.

If you’ve had a stone fireplace from us, it can of course be installed towards the end of the project, as it is normally not structural, and if left out until last, then there is less chance of a contractor dropping a scaffold pole on to it! You don’t have that luxury though if you are installing our stone mullions or a stone staircase. These items should ideally be built in as the building is constructed, and so your contractor needs to protect them as he would any vulnerable part of a building project.

Windows are quite easy to protect, as you can sheet them over or wrap them in a protective layer of something. Stone stairs are harder, as they inevitably will be used by the builders as their ‘route’ to the upper floors. The best method of protection is to cover them with something tough. A piece of old carpet on each tread with a board on top of that is a good measure, and if we’ve supplied you with a stone balustrade, then you should protect each one with a wrapping of old carpet or bubble wrap or something similar.

It’s not that they’re so delicate, but more that building works do involve a lot of moving about of heavy, hard goods, and even the most careful builder can inadvertantly swing round with a scaffold plank on his shoulder and damage something accidentally..

Take some precautions!

Whether we believe in ‘global warming’ or not, there is no getting away from the fact that energy costs are on an ever upward climb, and anything we can do to reduce our useage, and thus our bills, is welcome.

If you have already got your stone fireplace installed and are comfortable with burning wood, in either a stove or an open fire, then you already saving money on fuel. If however your house is poorly  insulated, then the heat you are producing is probably being wasted as it escapes via various routes from your home.

Insulation technology of residential dwellings has improved massively as the rising costs of fuel have opened our eyes. The current building regs include high standards for insulation of floors; walls; roofs; and windows, where 20 years ago it probably included just putting 50 mm of fibreglass roll into your roof space!

Now a house that has kingspan in the roof.. the thicker the better, Kingspan on the walls, and probably too in the floor, can retain a very large proportion of the heat that your house produces.

Of course an open fire is not the most efficient heating source, but without doubt it is the most attractive! What could be better than a stone fireplace housing a big log fire that is roaring away and warming your life. A stove of course looks nearly as good, but at the same time gives a better amount of heat into the house, and less escapes up the chimney.