The existing fireplace consisted of a plastered chamber with an outdated Villager stove, and a large oak beam with significant shrinkage. As part of a re-vamp of the whole room, the client wanted a built-in modern stove with as large a firebox as possible. We selected a Barbas Escamolux 90/45 wood stove with a landscape aspect, a minimal amount of visible frame and a smooth balanced door that rises up into the housing. The client also wanted to install a large flat screen TV above the new fire and for the screen to be absolutely flush with the wall. The first job was to remove the existing chimney breast completely and provide a supporting structure for the new stove and marblework. The TV power and data cable were carefully positioned and provided with heat proof casings and shielding. Care was taken to arrange convection air flow so that the panel behind the TV remained cool. Convection air inlets and outlets were built into the structure in such a way as to be invisible, and an inlet for external fresh combustion air was core-drilled to an external wall. A marble log box was fitted below the fire, and two marble beams, one above and one below the fire were fixed in position. Finally the framework was clad in critical areas with a high-density structural grade refractory board resistant to 500oC. After filling fixing holes and joints, the entire new breast was re-covered in a fibreglass lining to provide a decorating surface free from cracking. All that remained was to light and test the stove and to hand over the finished installation. | 