If you want to install a period fireplace in your home, but cannot afford to buy an original fireplace insert, why not consider a reproduction? Quality reproduction fireplace inserts are indistinguishable from the real thing, and there are many different versions for sale on the Internet, from the Georgian era right through to the Edwardian era.

The best quality reproduction cast-iron fireplaces are made by skilled craftsmen who employ traditional casting methods, and they also feature patterns as seen in original fireplaces. Good reproduction fireplace retailers sell a wide range of cast iron fireplaces, fireplace inserts and reproduction combination fireplaces, as well as the associated matching accessories such as tiles, hearths and mirrors.

Quality Georgian reproduction fireplace inserts typify the classical elegance of the period, whilst the Victorian fireplace insert comes in several ornate styles, including Gothic and Rococo. Remember, the Victorian era was known as The Battle of the Styles, due to the influence of the many decorative styles that had gone before. As a result, many reproduction Victorian fireplace inserts feature a combination of decorative styles, making them unusual and highly ornate.

In the Edwardian era, the technique known as slabbing was introduced, and thus completely tiled fireplace inserts became available, or even completely tiled fireplaces. Pastel coloured tiles became popular during the Edwardian age and there are many tiled reproduction fireplace inserts in attractive colours.

As already mentioned, tile sliders were introduced in the late Victorian era, and these allowed decorative tile-sets to be placed at either side of the fireplace opening in a cast iron frame. In the interests of authenticity, any tiles you buy for your reproduction insert should be of the same quality and made in the traditional way. Decorative fireplace tiles were produced by hand, meaning that no two tiles looked exactly alike, with slight variations in pattern and colour. Reproduction fireplace tiles are available individually or in tile-sets, which make up a pattern when inserted either side of the fireplace opening, and such tiles are available in authentic Victorian and Edwardian colours.

There are a number of online retailers selling quality reproduction fireplace inserts and other reproduction fireplaces, with all accessories. Cast Iron Fires has an excellent selection of the above, to suit every domestic setting. The site offers the all-important secure online shopping facilities and the company is happy to offer advice to any prospective customers.

As mentioned, cast iron fireplace inserts were first introduced in the Georgian era, and the following is a quick summary of the decorative features of original fireplace inserts from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian eras.

Georgian fireplace inserts typically consisted of a broad arched fireplace opening, with geometric patterning around the arch – this was often a rope design.

Early Victorian fireplace inserts still retained the look of the Georgian insert, with their wide arched fire opening. However, the decoration around the fireplace opening was much more ornate, with cherubs, floral motifs and intricate beadwork all being commonly used.

By the mid-Victorian era, original fireplace inserts still had an arched fireplace opening, but this tended to be much narrower than the Georgian and early Victorian versions. Decoration moved away from floral motifs and became decidedly geometric, with moulded lines or beadwork in a rope twist, dog tooth or bullnose pattern framing the fireplace arch.

The late Victorian era saw a move away from the arched opening – the fireplace insert of the late Victorian era became squarer and incorporated a hood, typically decorated with a floral detail. Tile sliders were also introduced at this time, and tile sets in various patterns and colours were slid into these panels to provide decoration at either side of the fireplace opening.

The inserts of Edwardian Fireplaces featured a square fireplace opening much like those of the late Victorian period. The geometric style of the mid-Victorian era came into vogue again, and this decoration was reflected in the wide use of linear patterning on the main body of the fireplace insert.

Canopies, however, were usually ornately decorated and common motifs included flowers and urns. Plain rather than patterned tiles became very popular at this time, and tended to match the hearth. Pastel colours were in vogue, providing a direct contrast to the dark coloured tiles popular in the late Victorian era.

The fireplace insert first made an appearance in the Georgian era, and thus is usually made from cast iron. This is the part of the fireplace where the fire burns and is sometimes decorated with tile sliders at either side of the fireplace opening. The insert fits inside a fire surround or mantel, and sits on a hearth.

There are many styles of cast iron fireplace insert available. These include horseshoe, arched and square-shaped inserts and tiled inserts, in all sizes to suit all types of room. The Victorians often used the smaller, simply styled inserts as infills for the larger, more ornate ones. As well as its primary decorative function, the cast iron insert also has a practical function – the metal radiates the heat from the fire into a room.

Fireplace inserts, also sometimes referred to as back panels, became more common as the Victorian age progressed, as cast iron became mass-produced thanks to industrialisation. In the late Victorian era, cast iron combination fireplaces were introduced, and these incorporated the fire surround, the insert, the fireback, and the grate all in one unit. These are convenient and also easier to fit than standard fireplaces.

Inserts are suitable for use with all types of fuel, including gas and solid fuels such as coal or logs. Cast iron versions are very versatile and look good with either a cast iron surround or surrounds made from other materials such as wood, marble or stone. Cast iron inserts also add character to both traditional and contemporary settings.

There are many types of cast iron fireplace insert available at good prices, both original and reproduction, and these range from small and understated to the grandly ornate. Vicfires sells an amazing range of original cast iron fireplace inserts and combination fireplaces, and their partner website Victorianfires is stockists of JIG cast iron fire inserts and combination fireplaces, from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian eras.