Fireplace With Fan: How a Blower Spreads the Heat
A fireplace with a fan blows warm air out into the room instead of letting it collect near the ceiling or inside the wall. Here is how a blower works, when it is worth having and what to know about power cuts.
Heat Resistant Paint: Painting a Brick Fireplace or Steel Stove
A brick surround and a steel stove need very different paints. Use the wrong one and it blisters, smells or peels after the first fire. Here is which heat resistant paint goes where, and how to get a finish that lasts.
Pellet Stove or Pellet Fireplace: How It Works and Who It Suits
A pellet stove feeds small wood pellets into the fire for you and holds the room at a set temperature. It is easy to live with, but it needs electricity to run. Here is how it works, what affects running costs and who it suits.
Cracked Fire Bricks and Baffle Plates: When to Replace Them
A hairline crack in a fire brick is normal. A brick that is crumbling, missing pieces or showing the steel behind it is not. Here is how to tell the difference, and what a worn baffle plate does to your fireplace.
How to Choose a Fireplace Installer in Cape Town: 10 Questions to Ask
Quick answer: a good fireplace installer works to SANS clearances, issues a Certificate of Compliance on gas work, quotes the flue in writing, and can show you real local installations. Here are the ten questions that separate professionals from bakkie brigades. Why the Installer Matters More Than the Fireplace A R30,000 fireplace with a bad […]
Fireplace Glass & Rope Replacement: Costs and How It Works
Quick answer: replacing cracked fireplace glass typically costs a few hundred rand for the glass plus fitting, a new rope seal costs from R44 per metre, and both jobs transform how a closed-combustion fireplace burns. Here’s how to know what you need. Why Glass and Rope Matter More Than They Look A closed-combustion fireplace works […]
Why an Indoor Wood Burning Stove Still Beats Electric Heating
Electric heaters cost more to run than most people realise. Here’s why an indoor wood burning stove is still the smarter, warmer choice for most South African homes — and exactly what to look for before you buy.
Buying a Chimney? 5 Essential Checks Before You Spend a Rand
Finding a chimney for sale is the easy part. Buying the right one is where most SA homeowners trip up. Here are five essential checks — plus real Rand price ranges — before you commit.
Can You Install a Fireplace in an Existing Home? Yes — Here’s How
Quick answer: yes — a fireplace can be installed in almost any existing South African home, even without a chimney. A modern insulated flue system routes through the roof or an external wall, and most installations are finished in a single day. “But My House Doesn’t Have a Chimney” This is the most common thing […]
Combustion Fireplace Installation: How It Works, Costs & Compliance
Quick answer: a closed-combustion fireplace installation in Cape Town costs R3,500–R4,800 in labour for a straightforward single-storey job, plus R6,000–R22,000 for the flue system depending on height and spec. Most installations are done in a single day. What “Closed Combustion” Actually Means A closed-combustion (also called slow-combustion) fireplace is a sealed steel or cast-iron firebox […]