Energy prices in the UK have risen significantly over the past few months, making it expensive for many families to have the heating on in their homes. Historically, fireplaces have been a great addition for family homes as they offer a warm, inviting mood to your living space. They can also be low cost to maintain, making them easy to look after and manage.

In this guide we will cover the different types of fireplaces and their use. We will also be covering ways you can use indoor tiles to refresh your current fireplace, updating the look and design with our in-house design specialists. 

If you are looking to get more out of your fireplace this upcoming winter this guide is for you!

What fireplaces are available?

There are different types of fireplaces for a number of different design options and use cases. Here at The Online Tile Shop, we find that customers enjoy having a range of ideas when it comes to their fireplace design, and we can help to ensure these ideas are translated into interior design options.

Open Fireplace

Open fireplaces are a traditional fire that has been about since the dawn of time (literally!). 

They are usually found in the middle of a room, featured within the wall. They are a cost effective way to heat your home and make your living space look aesthetically pleasing all year round. This is especially true in Winter, when the nights and mornings are darker, and the fire coming from the fireplace can light a room beautifully.

If you currently have an Open Fireplace then we have the perfect tile styles for you. Opting for a durable and heat resistant tile will fit the job perfectly, and this is needed due to the intense heat that a fireplace can emit. 

Porcelain tiles on average last around 50 years making them the perfect investment for your open fireplace. You could opt for a striking design behind your tiles and pick out colourful finishes that will compliment the light emitted from the fire’s flames. 

Whilst porcelain is your best bet when renovating your fireplace, having a tight budget should not stop you from giving your home a makeover. Ceramic tiles are another great option that are considered highly durable for fireplaces. 

Electric fireplaces

Here at The Online Tile Shop our team of tile specialists would all opt for a real fireplace due to the nostalgia they bring. This really shows our age!

We understand that times change and that Electric Fireplaces are becoming a hot commodity within many homes. They are easy to maintain and work with a simple button press, giving you the same results as a traditional fireplace, bringing warmth and design to your living space with more control.

Electric fireplaces are considered to be more cost effective than the traditional fireplace. They use less energy to heat a room and when they do heat up your living space, it’s done so in a timely manner.

Electric fireplaces look amazing when raised out of the wall they have been mounted into. The darker materials of the fireplace work well with lighter toned tiles, as they compliment one another. Add in the calming lights on an evening and you are in for a winner. 

Our Vernazza Stone is perfect for this with its realistic stone finish. Its porcelain makeup makes it perfect for being around electric fireplaces with its heat resistant properties. 

Stove fireplaces

A third choice of fireplaces comes in the form of the Stove Fireplace. They are similar to the Open Fireplace in terms of design and functionality. However there are some notable differences. They provide both convection AND radiant heat. This means the whole room will be heated rather than a small portion, when compared to an Open Fireplace. 

Stove fires are highly efficient and will leave you saving money in the long run. As they do take wood as fuel, there is the drawback of maintenance and purchasing of materials. They do however make a house a home as they are deemed as a more traditional fire option and have been for many years now. 

With how powerful they are in producing heat, porcelain tiles are an absolute necessity and be sure to not have them too close either as you may damage your tiles. Having a feature design either beside or above your Stove Fireplace is a great option for bringing your space to life. 

When installing your new tiles be sure to also purchase the necessary grouts and adhesives used to keep your tiles in check. If you are unsure of which one you need, our tile specialists are on hand to help! Give us a call on 01223 403530 and we will be happy to help with anything related to this article. 

30 Reviews

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4.6 Rating 30 Reviews

ALEXANDER GRAHAM

Verified Customer

|Excellent Service, tiles arrived very quickly and were well packed. Would highly recomemend this company.

2 months ago

Olena Golovtchouk

Verified Customer

Great tiles, very expensive delivery

2 months ago

Robin Temple

Verified Customer

Excellent service and I am thrilled with the tile you sent. I will be placing an order for more of these tiles to use as a splash back in a small kitchen .

2 months ago

Claire Martin

Verified Customer

Superb service and product

2 months ago

Anonymous

Verified Customer

Very happy with these tiles. Arrived quickly and very well packaged.

3 months ago

Sian Pugh

Verified Customer

Great price and fantastic service

3 months ago

Anonymous

Verified Customer

The tiles were a great price compared to other online retailers selling the same tiles. However, £30 for a DHL delivery seemed a bit expensive for a small order (approx 220 15x10cm tiles for a splashback).

3 months ago

Linda O'Keeffe

Verified Customer

Easy to use, fast service recommended

3 months ago

James Hindle

Verified Customer

Fab tiles and great service - we couldn’t be happier with the results !

5 months ago

trina hedges

Verified Customer

had two broken tiles - contacted themby email and sent pics but still no reply!! tried to upload pics but seems is not poss

5 months ago