If you live in a new build or a home without a chimney, you might think a fireplace isn’t an option, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. With modern flue systems and advancements in fires, you can still enjoy the warmth and ambience of a fire in your home. Here’s how:
Flue Systems for Gas and Wood-Burning Stoves
Installing a Pre-Fabricated Flue System
Homes without traditional chimneys can still accommodate a gas or wood-burning stove by installing a pre-fabricated flue system. These flues work just like a traditional chimney, venting smoke and gases safely outside. They can be installed internally or externally, depending on your home’s layout. If you love the look of a classic chimney breast, you can even conceal the flue behind a simulated chimney structure for an authentic finish.
Ventilation Considerations for New Builds
New-build homes are designed to be pretty much airtight, which means additional ventilation is often required for wood-burning stoves. An air vent must be permanently open to the outside, with its size determined by the stove’s heat output (kW). Some models offer an Outside Air Kit, which allows the appliance to draw air directly from outside, eliminating the need for an open vent in the room.
Gas Fire Options for Chimney-Less Homes
If you prefer the ease of a gas fire, there are several options available for new builds:
1. Balanced Flue Gas Fires
For homes without a chimney, a balanced flue gas fire is an excellent solution. These fires work exclusively with glass-fronted gas stoves and fires, offering higher efficiency and better insulation. Since they are completely sealed from the room, they eliminate draughts and vent directly outside via a twin-wall pipe, meaning no additional ventilation is required.
2. Conventional Flue Gas Fires & Stoves
A conventional flue gas fire requires a chimney or a pre-fabricated flue system, just like a wood-burning stove. Air ventilation rules still apply, but your local retailer and Gas Safe installer can guide you on the best setup for your home.
3. Cavity Wall Gas Fires
New builds with cavity walls can take advantage of cavity wall gas fires, which are designed to fit neatly within the internal leaf of the wall. These fires function like full-depth gas fires but with a rear exit balanced flue, allowing them to vent directly outside.
For a more space-saving approach, partial cavity wall gas fires are recessed into the wall, leaving only a small protrusion. This design minimizes the fire’s footprint, making it an ideal solution for compact spaces.
The Simplest Option: Electric Fires
Why Choose an Electric Fire?
If you’re looking for the easiest and most versatile fireplace option, an electric fire is the way to go. Unlike gas or wood-burning stoves, electric fires don’t require a chimney, flue, or ventilation, just a standard plug socket.
Whether you prefer the traditional charm of a wood-burning stove, the convenience of a gas fire, or the effortless installation of an electric fireplace, new-build homes have plenty of heating options. By choosing the right system for your space, you can enjoy both warmth and style—without the need for a chimneys
