Fireplace with Marble Surround and Black Insert

I'm looking for a white/cream marble fireplace with black (will consider any type ie: cast iron, granite etc) insert for an open fire. I am specifically looking for an insert that has a 'draught door' on it as we won't be using that room the whole time and we would like to shut off the opening to the chimney when not in use. We were told that the normal 'cast iron' inserts would not work for an open fire and that we would have to get a particular brand. The store mentioned a company called ' Stovax' and that it would be an Extra €300 - €400 approx for those inserts.
Has anyone come across this type of fireplace and is it correct that the 'normal' inserts would not work for an open fire.

Hi Karsha,
There are several cast iron arched or horseshoe type inserts that will allow you to close off the chimney when not in use. They dont seal it 100% but pretty much 95%. You could use an insert stove on a flat granite or marble insert but this could add E600-1300 on to the price. Stovax are not the only supplier to offer the option but it can only be used along with a cast iron back to allow the damper to fit but should only add E50-100 on average. In todays climate I would not charge any extra for a standard type insert with damper.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'normal' inserts. Any cast iron insert will work in an open fire or a granite insert either. See http://www.nfd.ie/?p=p_6&sName=cast-iron-inserts for the usual run of the mill cast iron inserts for open fires. Perhaps the Stovax item you mention is a a complete insert http://www.stovax.com/products.htm?cid=2&sid=2
If you want to put in a regular fire, why not try a chimney balloon. I can't vouch for it, I stumbled across it on the net before. It seems you inflate it up the chimney when you don't need a fire and deflate it when you want to light up again. I would expect to see a marble fireplace with black granite hearth and cast iron fitted for between €1800 to €2500 depending on what one you want. Fireplaces are not an efficient way of heating a room, but they sure look great!!

Ooops - Hi fmc, we crossed

Thanks fmc & headache,
We have a solid fuel stove in the other room - which works brillantly, so we just wanted to have the 'look' of a real fire in this room.
What I mean by 'normal' cast iron insert is where you see a firestone (I'm persuming that what it is!) at the back of the fire. On the insert I want, it is cast iron on the back aswell with the little hatch door on top that can be open (or taken out) when the fire is lighting and closed when not.
The local supplier mentioned that you need to get the 'better' quality one because the other ones would crack. We had one of these inserts in our previous house, which never cracked, but I don't remember us being offered a 'cheaper' version or a better quality one. (The store where we bought the previous one is no longer there).
Perhaps the supplier I went to thinks the celtic tiger is still alive and kicking!!!
Would someone be able to give me an indication of the cost for a Dublin
Corbel (60') with the horse-shoe insert (with flap!!!)?
Thanks again,
karsha

Hi Karsha,
assuming all install is straightforward it comes down to whether the dublin corbel is natural marble in crema marfil, manmade marble like marfil stone or milan creme or a white or black marble then the insert if a standard enough like a mountjoy insert with back and flap around the €2000 mark but could go to €2500 depending on choices picked.

Are we talking here about a " Register Grate " ?
Look at same on Chesneys Website.

Hi fmc,
Can you explain the 'mountjoy insert with back and flap' in more detail. Does the flap seal the chimney when the fire isn't lighting? Do you have a link to this product.

Thanks.

Hi Thequery
The mountjoy is just an example from one supplier/manufacturer each will have a simialr option/options. The idea is the back is cast iron with a fireback instead of all concrete. It angles up to a hole to let the smoke out but this has a flap/damper which can be opened or closed. it wont seal the fireplace completely but will do it 90%. Its a big no no for gas fires though as obviously it could be left closed and not noticed as quickly as you would with a solid fuel fire which would be pretty immediate.
Here is a link to the mountjoy in a Dublin corbell it doesn't show the damper really but should give you an idea.



I have a connection to them as they are a supplier of mine.

Thanks fmc.
I'll probably call to my nearest Fireplace retailer. I'm sure they supply them.

Let us know how you get on.

Hi,
I have just come across a place that are manufacturers of fireplaces, and are advertising that they are now selling to the public. They have the Cast-Iron insert I want with the flap and are selling both wooden surrounds and marble cast fireplaces. From what I could understand the marble ones are a 'cast' and not a solid marble fireplace ie not carved from a solid block of marble?? To me they look just as good as any other ones we have viewed and the man there confirmed that they are just as durable but if someone has any experience of these perhaps they might let me know?
Thanks again!