MDF is widely used today in the manufacture of fireplaces, and these can be mass- produced cheaply. Although there is a high demand for such fireplaces due to the value factor, there is nothing quite like a solid wood fireplace, in terms of quality.

Solid wood possesses a beauty all of its own; the warm tones provide comfort and warmth, and the natural grain of all woods, highlighted by being polished, waxed or varnished, really brings an inherent richness to all interiors, both traditional and contemporary. Today, most fireplace manufacturers get their solid timber from sustainable sources, meaning that any damage to the environment is minimised.

Anglia produces solid wood fireplaces of the highest calibre, with quality and performance at the heart of the business. From classic fireplaces to the most contemporary of designs, Anglia has it all. The company has a showroom in Cambridge, where there is an impressive range of over 60 fireplaces.

Be Modern is at the forefront of solid wood fireplace manufacture, having been in business for over 40 years. Their lifestyle collection features a selection of modern timber fire surrounds and mantels, and these are perfect for the contemporary home. The Kansas, in American Walnut or Natural Oak, is a striking example of modernity. Be modern also sell a range of smaller surrounds and mantels, perfect for smaller rooms.

Focus Fireplaces make the bold claim that they ‘manufacture the finest range of modern and traditional fireplaces available’, and this certainly seems to be true -their traditional range consists of no fewer than 6 collections of fireplaces, whilst their modern range features 3 collections. All ranges are available in a wide choice of timbers, including beech and oak, and the craftsmanship of these fireplaces is second-to-none. To view the collection and locate your nearest stockist, visit the Focus Fireplace website.

Kilkenny Living is one of Ireland’s largest fireplace and fireplace accessory showrooms, and they offer a wide selection of solid wood fireplaces in classic and contemporary styles. There are a few examples of Kilkenny Living solid wood fireplaces showcased on their website, and these combine quality with beautiful designs. Visiting the Kilkenny website will no doubt leave you wanting to see more, and a warm welcome awaits you at the showroom.

Wood is one of the most popular fireplace mantel materials, and always has been. In Victorian times, wood fireplace mantels were usually made from a quality solid wood such as mahogany, but cheaper woods such as pine were often used. If pine was used, it was painted to give the appearance of more expensive wood – sometimes, homeowners painted pine mantels white and added gilding for an expensive look. Wood mantels became much larger in the Edwardian era and were made from oak and mahogany – often, mirrors were inlaid into such fireplaces.

Wood makes an ideal fireplace material for many reasons; it is durable and hardwearing, easy to carve, versatile and comes in many finishes and colours – wood may be stained or painted in virtually any colour, in order to match a room’s décor. A wood fireplace evokes comfort and warmth more than any other material.

Today, there are probably more wood fire surrounds than any other type of fireplace. Original period fireplace mantels are offered by fireplace specialists and salvage yards, and these can add valuable originality to period properties. Modern technology has ensured that quality reproduction wood fireplaces are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing, yet much more affordable.

Thanks to MDF, fireplaces can now be mass manufactured very cheaply and offer the customer an alternative to the expensive solid wood fireplace. MDF makes up the main body of a fireplace, and then a thin layer of timber (veneer) is laid onto this and stained in various colours. MDF is a very strong material that withstands temperature change very well, so it is an excellent (and economical) choice for a fireplace. As well as MDF, most fireplaces made from solid wood are fashioned from pine or oak and then stained in various wood finishes such as mahogany, yew, and various shades of oak or pine.

Wood really is a versatile fireplace material, and whatever type of wood fireplace you choose, it will look lovely when paired with any other type of fireplace material, such as cast iron, stone, slate and marble. It is also easy to maintain and, like stone and marble, has a timeless appeal, fitting well into all types of home, both traditional and contemporary. A real bonus of the wooden fireplace is that much of the timber comes from sustainable sources, lessening the negative impact on the environment.