Posts by fireflames
How Suspended Fireplaces Transform a Room — and What to Budget
Suspended fireplaces are the most dramatic way to add fire to an open-plan space. Here's what they cost in South Africa, how installation works, and which fuel type suits your home.
What Makes a Modern Stove So Much Better Than an Open Fire
A modern stove captures and directs heat into your room rather than sending most of it up the chimney. Here's how closed-combustion stoves work, what to look for, and why the upgrade usually pays for itself.
Fireplace Wood Stove Insert vs Open Fireplace: Which Heats Better for Less?
A fireplace wood stove insert can turn a draughty, inefficient open fireplace into a serious heat source — here's how to pick the right size, style and brand for your home.
In Built Gas Fireplace vs Freestanding Gas: Which One Is Right for Your Home?
An in built gas fireplace delivers instant heat, clean-burning flames and a permanent design feature — without wood, ash or chimney masonry. Here's the honest breakdown on styles, costs and installation.
Dovre Fireplace: Expert Guide to 5 Trusted Models
A Dovre fireplace is one of the most respected closed-combustion units on the South African market. This guide covers 5 trusted Dovre models, real SA prices, installation requirements and what sets this Norwegian brand apart.
Freestanding Stoves Explained: Heat Output, Styles and What to Pay
Freestanding stoves heat a room without structural work. This guide covers the 5 main styles, real SA price ranges and how to size one correctly for your space.
No Flue, No Fuss: Why a Gasfire Is the Smart Winter Upgrade
A gasfire is one of the most practical heating upgrades for a South African home — no wood, no ash, and immune to load-shedding. Here's how to choose the right type, what installation costs, and what to ask your installer.
Is a Built-In Gas Heater Worth It? What to Know Before You Buy
A built in gas heater is one of the cleanest, most convenient ways to heat a South African home — load-shedding-proof, no ash, no wood. But it's a permanent installation. Here's what to get right before you choose.
5 Hanging Fireplaces Worth Buying — and What Installation Actually Costs
Hanging fireplaces are a striking investment — but the fuel type, installation complexity and price range vary enormously. Here are five worth considering, from gas pendants to wood-burning cones, with honest SA pricing.
Open Fireplace: The Classic Look, Real Costs and What to Expect
An open fireplace brings real fire, real atmosphere, and a classic look to any home. Here's an honest breakdown of costs, heat output, installation requirements, and when it makes more sense than a closed-combustion alternative.
Built-In Wood Fireplaces: How to Choose, Size and Install One That Lasts
A built-in wood fireplace is a permanent, high-return home feature — but only if you choose the right unit, size it correctly and have it installed properly. Here's what you need to know.
Chimney Stoves: 5 Best Proven Options for Reliable Heat
Chimney stoves offer powerful, efficient heat — but which type suits your home and budget? We compare 5 proven options with real SA price ranges and installation tips.
Combustion Wood Stoves: What R8k, R20k and R45k Gets You
Not all combustion wood stoves are built the same. Here's exactly what separates an R8k entry model from an R45k premium unit — and how to choose right the first time.
How to Choose an Indoor Braai Stand (Without Getting Stuck With the Wrong One)
Gas or wood? Built-in or freestanding? This guide explains exactly what to look for in an indoor braai stand — ventilation requirements, materials, price ranges and when to call a professional.
Closed Fireplace vs Open Fire: Which One Heats Better?
A closed fireplace keeps far more heat in your room than a traditional open fire — but not all closed combustion units work the same way. Here's a clear breakdown of the types, sizes, costs, and what to check before you buy.
5 Combustion Stove Mistakes That Cost You Heat (and Money)
A combustion stove is one of the smartest winter investments you can make — but only if you avoid these five common buying and installation errors. Fire Flame Installers breaks down exactly where homeowners go wrong, and how to get it right from the start.
What You Actually Get With a Double-Sided Fireplace — and What It Costs
A double sided fire place lets one firebox warm two rooms at once — but is it right for your layout and budget? Here's what to expect on costs, installation, and fuel types in South Africa.
The Right Heating Stove Can Warm Your Whole Home — Here’s What to Look For
A heating stove can cut your electricity bill and keep you warm through load-shedding. Here's how to choose the right type, output, and brand for your home and budget.
What Is a Lava Fireplace — and Is It Worth Buying?
A lava fireplace uses volcanic basalt rocks to deliver even, long-lasting heat from a gas burner. Here is what it costs in South Africa, which type suits your space, and five checks to make before you buy.
Cast Iron Fireplace for Sale: 7 Proven Reliable Checks
A cast iron fireplace for sale is a long-term investment — if you buy right. These 7 checks cover kW output, flue fit, floor weight, SA price ranges, coastal spec and CoC compliance.
Slow Burn Fireplaces: 5 Smart Advantages Every Homeowner Should Know
A slow burn fireplace can deliver up to five times more heat per log than a standard open fire — with less smoke, lower wood costs and better heat retention through winter.
Can a Coal Fireplace Really Compete With Wood and Gas Heat?
A coal fireplace burns hotter and longer than most firewood, holds heat overnight without refuelling, and typically costs less to run than LPG gas. This guide covers how coal fireplaces work, what installation requires, how running costs compare to wood and gas, and what to look for when choosing an appliance.
4 Wall Hanging Fireplace Styles That Work in South African Homes
Compare 4 wall hanging fireplace styles — gas, electric, bioethanol, and recessed — with South African installed prices and what to confirm before buying.
How to Choose a Slow Combustion Fire That Heats Better and Costs Less
Not all slow combustion fires heat equally well. Here's how to match kW output, firebox material and budget to your home — without the showroom guesswork.
Built-In Braai Dimensions: What 600mm, 900mm and 1200mm Gets You
Not all built-in braais are equal — and the dimensions are everything. We break down the 3 standard sizes (600mm, 900mm, 1200mm), firebox depth and height, and which suits your patio and entertaining style.
Built-In Braai Sizes: 3 Proven Steps to the Perfect Choice
Choosing the wrong built-in braai size is an expensive mistake — and a permanent one. Here are three proven steps to measure your space, match your guest count, and factor in how you actually cook before the first brick is laid.
Wall Fireplace Mistakes Most Homeowners Make — And How to Avoid Them
A wall fireplace can transform any room — or become a costly regret. Discover the five mistakes that trip up South African buyers, from wrong heat output to skipping the CoC, and how to avoid each one.
3 Types of Standalone Fireplace — and How to Pick the Right One
A standalone fireplace adds real heat without the cost and disruption of knocking through walls. Learn the 3 main types available in South Africa, what they cost, and how to choose the right one for your home.
Fire Place Studio Visits: 6 Things Savvy Buyers Always Check First
Not all fireplace showrooms are created equal. Here are six things every South African buyer should check before committing at a fire place studio — from live demonstrations to installation credentials and real pricing.
Heat Your Whole Home With One Fireplace — Here’s How to Choose
A heating fireplace should do more than warm your toes — it should heat the room. Here's how to choose between five types, size them correctly, and avoid the common buying mistakes.