Whether you live in a period house or a modern dwelling, the fireplace you choose will be the focus of your main living area. It will define the style of the room, setting the tone for your other furnishing elements. Never before has there been such a wide choice of fireplaces on the market: both in respect of design and materials. Whether contemporary or traditional, clients can select from a vast array of models manufactured in wood, steel, marble, limestone, conglomerate marble, resin or reconstituted stone, to name the main categories. Marble and natural stone fireplaces have recently re-established their dominance in the market and promise a longevity and timelessness that make the purchase a worthwhile investment.

Stone fireplaces fall into two basic categories. Those made of natural stone are formed from blocks which are carved by hand or machine to make a classic design. Intricate hand carving is expensive and may require a long lead-time for production. The main materials out of which these styles are crafted include marble and limestone. Marble fireplaces are generally offered with a polished finish, whereas those manufactured in limestone have a matte appearance.

The second type of fireplace in this category is made from reconstituted material. Significant quantities of powdered stone are mixed with cement and poured into large moulds to make the main components. This method encourages mass production and intricate details, with cost spread among the many castings made from the original moulding over the next 30-50 years. This reconstituted material is often limestone, and it may be smooth or have a rough-tooled finish.

It goes without saying that a fireplace made from reconstituted stone will have been replicated in the same form many times. This means that the unique characteristics such as shading and veining found in natural stone will be absent. For those seeking a unique and individual product natural stone – whether limestone or marble – is the material of choice.

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