Ben Barratt, Riva 50, Double Your House For Half the Money
Ben Barratt talks about the value of adding a woodburner to his new home.
Ben Barratt, Kent
October 24, 2015
Ben Barratt and his family purchased a 1950’s detached 3-bedroom property in Kent. He had a deadline of 6 months to complete this project because his house renovation featured in Channel’programme, “Double Your House For Half The Money”. You can also view Ben Barrat’s testimonial on our dedicated testimonial page.
Q. Please briefly describe your renovation project including the style and age of your property.
A. In May 2012, we purchased our 1950’s detached 3-bedroom property. We were looking to double the size of our property by converting the garage. It was huge project because the property was so outdated.
Q. How long did the project take?
A. As we were featured on the tv show, “Double Your House For Half The Money”, there was a strict deadline of 6 months to complete the build because the programme needed to be aired at a set time – the pressure was well and truly on!
Q. Please give the make, model and size of your fire or stove – also is it woodburning only or multi-fuel?
A. Stovax Riva 50 cassette fire that burns both wood and multi-fuel.
Q. How long have you wanted a fire/stove?
A. I have always wanted my own wood burner ever since I left home, 10 years ago. My parents used to have an open fire in their home and it was a part of my life, sitting around the fire on a cold winter’s night where it was nice and cosy.
Q. What were the key reasons for installing a fire/stove? For example were you motivated by ambiance, environmental, cost, style and/or warmth?
A. The main reason that we wanted to purchase our fire is the ambiance it creates in a family home – you can’t beat the warm and cosy feeling! With gas prices increasing, you could say it is a cost saving exercise.
Q. What drew you to your particular model?
A. We have a young family and wanted to make our fire child friendly. We decided that having an inset fire would be the best option as the children can stay away from it. Plus, it looks tidy and modern which works really well in our house.
Q. What type of installation do you have (including the flue)?
A. We have an inset wood-burner in our living room.
Q. Describe the journey to owning your own stove. Was it enjoyable, straight forward, more reasonable/expensive than you thought, did you find a retailer and an installer easily and locally? Did you have to wait long for the fire/stove and the installation?
A. We went to visit our local installer for advice on whether the fire that we wanted was suitable for our house. We then placed an order for a reasonably priced inset burner which arrived in good time. The fire was installed 2 days later. It was a very enjoyable experience.
Q. Why did you install it into your living room?
A. We installed our woodburner in our living room because we wanted one cosy room in the evening to sit with the family and watch a film. A woodburner really makes the room feel even more like Christmas in December.
Q. Has the fire changed your lifestyle in any way?
A. The burner has made a massive difference to our lifestyle. We use the radiators less which means lower bills. Everyone loves coming to ours and sitting in the living room because of the woodburner!
Please note that Stovax & Gazco accept no liability for their installation suitability, safety or building regulations conformance. The images shown on these pages are from real independent homes, many taken before installation is complete, and these form no basis of an installation recommendation by Stovax or Gazco. Please consult the complete installation instructions for your chosen product and consult with an appropriately qualified person for your own installation.
Riva 50 Wood Burning Inset Fires & Multi-fuel Inset Fires
Giving a wonderful view of the radiant, dancing flames, the Stovax Riva™ 50 wood burning and multi-fuel inset fire is an impressively efficient new edition to the Riva™ range. With clean, contemporary lines designed to fit into a 22” high and wide fireplace opening, the Riva™ 50 can be installed with relative ease on to ... Find out more
3 Sides Makes Sense
Matt, Devon
February 4, 2019
Excellent Stove!
Dan, Devon
February 4, 2019
“Perfection”
Carol, Devon
January 10, 2019
“Warmth and so convenient”
James, Buckinghamshire
January 10, 2019
“Bliss”
Neil & Anne, Holywell
January 9, 2019
“Winter warmer”
Emma, Llangollen
January 9, 2019
“One of the first items we chose for our home restoration”
Sean, Stokesley, North Yorkshire
January 9, 2019
“Enjoying our multi-fuel stove”
Bev & Charles, North Yorkshire
January 9, 2019
Cosy!”
Dawn, Yealmpton
December 15, 2018
“Picture perfect”
Marcus Giles, St Albans
December 14, 2018
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Stovax”
Steve Kidd, Telford
December 12, 2018
“A Pug Heaven”
Gordon, Lancaster
December 12, 2018
“Warm and toasty winter”
Nicola, Gloucester
October 24, 2018
“So warm and toasty!”
Sharon, Preston
August 8, 2018
“Looks great hot and cold”
Stewart, Hants
May 25, 2018
“Wonderful Xmas evening by our new fireplace”
Richard, Coventry
May 5, 2018
Thanks for all the sofa love on yesterday’s post! 💕 I was a bit nervous about its arrival as we had ordered it online without ever seeing it but I just love it and it’s really nice to have a bit of colour for once! I also bought some lovely old lights from @rosiebuddecorative which you can just see in the mirror, they’re now wired up and working ✨✨ i do love this little room! I’m off to Work today but I’d really like to stay at home as I’m feeling really behind on the Christmas front! 🎄Have a lovely Wednesday 😀#stovax #festivefireside
foundandfavour
Perfect Sunday night in with my fave @aaronm01 . . . . . . #camembert #sundaynight #stovax #fireplace #interiordesign #christmastree #christmasdecor #cottagestyle #myhome #realchristmastree #bakedcamembert #yummy #getinmybelly #perfectnight #withmyfave #cottagedecor #christmascottage #christmasstocking #cheeseislife #meltedcheese #logburner #christmasgarland #festivefireside
staceysyerclarke 
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Has anyone else got their tree up? 🎄🔥
alfordfirewood
Here is ours! #FestiveFireplace
My #festivefireside
Emma Fanthom
A very happy Heatland Stoves customer feeling #festivefireside and we love this @stovaxgazco Huntington 35 with gothic doors #heatlandstovesltd #stove #festive #Christmas #xmas #decor #homedecor #northeast #stovaxgazco
heatlandstovesltd
Happy Christmas!! @stovaxgazco 🎄❤️🔥 #stovaxgazco #festivefireside competition #letitsnow #stovaxstudio1
sandylou74
#FestiveFireside
Emma Thomas Pitcher
#FestiveFireside
John Yates
#festivefireside
@JOACKO1968 
#festivefireside
katiewatiewoo
#festivefireside our Christmas fireside, thanks for the new fire x
Rose Dalton
#festivefireside
macfarlanedona 
Dad felt left out after hearing about the competition so here is his #festivefireside with his Huntingdon 40 gas stove 🔥
ceri_ae 
@StovaxGazco I love this time of year, love my fireplace it’s so cosy 🎄🎅🏻😍 #FestiveFireside.
@flickabella1 
@stovaxgazco #festivefireside competition #gazco #huntigdon30 🔥🎄🎅🏽 would love to win the festive hamper 😍
ceri_ae 
Merry Xmas only way to spend a Scottish winter x
William Hunter“Bertie’s favourite spot!”
Lizzie, Burgess
November 28, 2017
“Refurbished lounge”
Louise Talbot, Newport Shropshire
November 7, 2017
#CosyCarvings trick or treat.. ..can you feel the heat..
,
October 30, 2017
#CosyCarvings #Gazco #Pumpkin #Halloween
,
October 27, 2017
bubbsyching #cosycarvings
,
October 27, 2017
dmhicks18 Winter is coming 🔥 #stovax #blazing #pyromaniac
,
October 23, 2017
Someone’s happy the Burner is on 💗Milly #logburner #stovax #staffy
,
October 23, 2017
“Fabulous!”
Chris, Swindon
September 27, 2017
“Amazing, beats all our expectations”
Micheal, Rotherham
September 27, 2017
“A Living Log Fire without chopping logs”
Roger, Malvern
September 27, 2017
“Homemaker”
Sally, Teignmouth
September 27, 2017
“Contemporary”
Evelyn, Berwick-upon-Tweed
September 27, 2017
“A sheer delight”
Sally, Teignmouth
September 15, 2017
“Cosy and comforting”
Helen, Watford
September 13, 2017
“Even the Dog is Fooled!”
Marion Whitby, Whitby
August 23, 2017
“The dogs approve!”
Robert Elswood, Somerset
August 23, 2017
“Small but perfectly formed”
Dawn, Tyne & Wear
August 23, 2017
‘Worth Every ‘Cosy’ Penny!’
Gary Campbell, Dorchester
June 16, 2017
“Warm glow”
Eric Harrison, Minehead
June 6, 2017
“Transformed the room”
Graham and Joy, Plymouth
June 6, 2017
“Clean instant log burner alternative”
Mr and Mrs L, Southampton
June 2, 2017
“Stovax still looks good in the summer”
Paul Green, Coventry
May 15, 2017
“Lovely Gas Fires”
John & Margaret, Keighley
May 15, 2017
“Enhances and warms the room”
Eric & Linda Bradley, Cotswolds
May 15, 2017
“A Delight!”
Chris Streets, Much Wenlock
May 15, 2017
“Even the duck loves the stove”
Niall, Everton
May 12, 2017
“So really pleased. Everyone makes nice comments.”
Dennis, Bremhill
May 10, 2017
“Delighted”
Barry, Lawford
May 10, 2017
“Great looking stove”
Kevin, Witney Oxon
May 9, 2017
“Heat and looks combined.”
John, Exmouth
May 9, 2017
“Our Home is Cosy Again”
Margaret Harrington, Co. Carlow, Ireland
May 8, 2017
“A Rosie Glow”
Elizabeth Howard, Hampshire
May 5, 2017
“Cosy cold nights”
Graeme Kitchen, UK
May 2, 2017
“Finally!”
Ian, Aberystwyth
April 10, 2017
“Great addition for our lounge”
Barry K Heath, Sandhurst, Berkshire
April 7, 2017
“Beautiful and Functional”
Wayne, Buckinghamshire
April 3, 2017
“Heart of the home”
Jude Bowler, Northwich
April 3, 2017
“It’s brought the room to life”
Stephen Wright, Denmead
April 3, 2017
“Warm and cozy gas fire”
Darrell, Devon
April 3, 2017
“A great heating investment”
Peter, Exmouth, Devon
April 3, 2017
“Brings warmth and cheer whenever lit”
Nick & Jane, Darwen, Lancashire
April 3, 2017
“Heart of the home”
Stuart, Stratford-upon-Avon
April 3, 2017
“A great stove, great heat, great looks”
Lesley, Fort William
March 31, 2017
“Provides a wonderful focal point”
Glyn, Cowbridge
March 31, 2017
“Oscar seems to like the new fire!”
Heather, Newtownabbey
March 31, 2017
“Comfy and cosy”
Di, Sandbach
March 31, 2017
“The Heart of the Home”
Alex, Ebford, Devon
March 30, 2017
“Perfect – wonderful and warm!”
Margaret, Shetland
February 27, 2017
“Fire looks amazing”
Karen,
February 24, 2017
“What A Difference a Day Makes”
Jean, Winlaton Tyne & Wear
February 24, 2017
“Approved by this family member!!”
Bob, Chris and Ollie, Northumberland
February 24, 2017
“Modern Ambience”
Hajra, Nuneaton
February 23, 2017
“Adds to the Artwork”
Brian, Middlesbrough
February 23, 2017
“New build”
Caryn Richardson, Lisburn
February 16, 2017
“Superb little dual fuel burner”
Jacqueline Curtis, Eye Suffolk
February 16, 2017
“Looks cool, feels warm”
Linda, Somerset
February 16, 2017
Stylish, Neat and Warming
Graeme, Ashington, West Sussex
February 9, 2017
“Comfortable & Efficient”
John, Buckinghamshire
January 26, 2017
“Wish I had done it years ago”
Colin,
January 25, 2017
“Looks great”
Dave, West mids
January 25, 2017
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