Wisdom Fireplaces of Manchester sell a good selection of authentic and reproduction cast iron fireplace mantels. There are several reclaimed cast iron mantels, and one of these is an imposing Victorian example, with ornate carvings and in excellent condition. Also on offer is a smaller, highly unusual Victorian surround depicting a mother and baby son. This is sure to provide an unusual and much-talked-about focal point for any home.

Wisdom also sells an excellent range of reproduction cast iron fireplace surrounds, in various styles. The Mayfair is an outstanding example of the most lavish of Victorian fireplaces, featuring intricate and detailed patterning. At the other end of the scale is the simple but elegant Edwardian cast iron fireplace mantel. This retails for half the price of the Mayfair, and comes in two finishes – black lead and full polish. – and will make a lovely focal point for any home.

Cast iron, although a traditional material, is very versatile, and a cast iron fireplace looks as good in the modern home as it does in the traditional abode. While most traditional cast iron fireplace surrounds are black leaded, modern manufactured versions come in a variety of finishes such as highly polished, meaning there is a cast iron fireplace mantel to suit every home. Cast iron is also a very hardwearing material and reflects heat from a fire back into the room, making it an excellent choice for a fireplace surround.

Beautiful examples of cast iron bedroom fireplaces can still be seen today in many period homes – many families move home and are pleasantly surprised to discover lovely cast iron fireplaces hidden behind ply board or plaster. Such fires are in big demand today, and are usually used as a decorative feature in a bedroom, rather than a functional piece – fireplaces are no longer needed in homes with modern central heating.

These cast iron bedroom fires were extremely common and today they are very easy to get hold of. The Antique Fireplace Company, based in Shropshire, specialises in reclaimed Victorian and Edwardian fireplaces and fully restores them before selling. One on offer is a pretty Victorian bedroom fire, in excellent condition and featuring attractive decoration. Better still, this is one of a matching pair – perfect if you plan to put fireplaces in more than one bedroom. Also available is an Edwardian bedroom fireplace, with a stunning but simple decoration, also one of a pair.

As cast iron was mass manufactured in the Victorian era, combination bedroom fireplaces are widely available today. Expect to pay £300 upwards for a refurbished fire, but a good place to get one more cheaply is a salvage yard – cast iron bedroom fires needing restoration will be considerably cheaper than those sold in a restored condition. Most cast iron bedroom fires can be used with solid fuel, should the need arise – they may even be used with certain gas fires.

Cast iron bedroom fireplaces really do make a lovely feature in any bedroom, creating a homely, cosy atmosphere. Fill the grate with dried flowers for that cottage look, or fill with candles for a romantic ambience in the evenings – the choice is yours.

Castironfires.com specialise in the supply of high quality reproduction period cast iron fireplaces at low prices. You can browse their website to view fireplaces from each period, and each section contains helpful and interesting information regarding the fireplaces of each era. The company also has an affiliated website, limestonefires.com, which offers a wide range of limestone, marble and granite products to accompany their range of cast iron fireplaces. Importantly, the site is secure – all payments are via the company’s secure server, which uses 28-bit encryption.

Warwick Reclamation specialise in architectural antiques, reclaimed building materials and period fireplaces. Warwick Reclamation do not sell original period cast iron fireplaces as the name might suggest, but instead sell an excellent range of reproductions at competitive prices – a distinctive advantage with this company is that all fireplaces carry free delivery anywhere in England and Wales. Warwick stock a wide range of cast iron fireplace inserts, period surrounds, hearths and fire baskets. Like castironfires.com, Warwick reclamation is a well-established company with excellent customer service, and all financial transactions through the site are secure, using 28-bit encryption.

Another reputable cast iron fireplace retailer in the UK is The Antique Fireplace Company. This company has over 250 restored original cast iron fireplaces to buy online, and they are specialist dealers in reclaimed Victorian and Edwardian cast iron fireplaces. They stock bedroom fireplaces, arched and tiled inserts and combination fireplaces, and most fires are suitable for either solid fuel or natural/LPG gas. Fireplace sizes range from the small bedroom type to grand ones, suitable for large rooms.

The Antique Fireplace Company is a small family-run business, and is well established, having been in operation since 1975. An advantage with this company is that their fireplace range can be viewed online, or they can be viewed in person at the company’s 2000 square foot showroom in Shropshire – around 95% of the restored cast-iron fireplaces are ready to take away.

There are hundreds of cast iron fireplace retailers in the UK, meaning a great scope of choice for those looking for such a fireplace.

Strip any paint from the cast iron fireplace with a chemical paint stripper such as Nitromors; even better is a poultice stripper. Apply with a paint scraper or filing knife and old paintbrush, to ensure that the stripper gets into every crevice. Make sure you wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.

Wash off the stripper after the recommended time and dry the cast iron fireplace thoroughly. Use wire wool or a wire brush to remove any rust – alternatively, use rust remover.

When this is done, polish the cast iron grate with grate polish applied with an old rag. Alternatively, if you want a burnished effect on the grate, use a spray such as WD-40.

If any part of a cast-iron fireplace is to be repainted, add a coat of red oxide prior to painting in order to prevent further rusting. Areas of the fireplace exposed to cold air and therefore prone to rusting should have an iron paste or black lead applied for protection. Another problem with the cast-iron fireplace is the accumulation of soot and ash – this can be removed by regularly scouring with a wire brush.

Regular paint should never be used on a cast-iron fireplace – use special paints designed for the purpose, available at all good DIY stores or fireplace specialists. Cast iron fireplaces may also be finished with wax polish or black lead instead of paint, and these can be polished to a burnished steel effect.

* It is difficult to repair a broken cast iron surround or grate, as most professional iron-founders may only be able to supply you with a missing piece if it is worthwhile for them to produce hundreds from the same mould. If you do fall in love with a broken cast-iron surround, it is worth paying a visit to a small iron founder who specializes in decorative domestic ironwork. He may be able to recast such pieces to the original design.

If all this sounds like hard work and you are stuck with a cast iron fireplace in its original condition, don’t despair! Enlist the help of one of the companies who specialise in  fireplace restoration.

Cast-iron firebacks came into use at the end of the 15^th century, and the original purpose of these was to protect the back of the fireplace from the heat of the fire. Early examples featured crude patterning, and this was done by pressing simple objects into liquid iron in open sand moulds. Historically, the patterning on a fireback has reflected the political and religious influences of the time. As time went on and fireplaces became smaller, the fireback became incorporated into the coal grate, losing much of its individuality and ornamentation. The fireback was eventually replaced by firestone bricks or tiles, as they possessed excellent heat reflecting qualities.

With the industrial revolution came the ability to mass-produce goods, and so the Victorian era was the era of the cast-iron fireplace. Thanks to the might of the machine, many kinds of cast-iron grates and fireplaces were manufactured and these became very popular with all households, rich and poor. A characteristic Victorian fireplace was made almost entirely of cast iron – some chimneypieces were also made entirely out of cast-iron, avoiding the use of combustible materials.

Firegrates on Victorian cast-iron fireplaces were fairly small, but ample heat was generated by warmth radiating from the polished metal. Victorian cast iron fireplaces ranged from the small and delicate to the large and grandly ornate, with imposing overmantels. One thing they all had in common was an excellent standard of craftsmanship, and due to this the Victorian cast iron fireplace is still in demand today.