Penny & Michael, Oak Frame Home, Gazco Vogue Midi Midline

Penny & Michael, Coventry
March 20, 2020

Tell us a bit about your project.

After 26 years of bringing up our family in a lovely, but very cold and drafty, Edwardian house, we finally decided to take the plunge and build a new, heat efficient house. We found an infill plot just down the road from where we lived and set about the very exciting project of having a new house designed for us. We wanted a modern, warm and cosy new home and were enchanted by the green-oak framed homes that Oakwrights design and build.

Why did you want a gas wood burner in your home?

We had installed a state-of-the-art underfloor heating system in our highly insulated building. However, we still wanted to create the cosy feel of a real fire to sit by and enjoy – and we wanted to be able to boost the heat in our lounge quickly and efficiently. Electric fires just didn’t look real enough for what we were after, and real wood burning or multi-fuel stoves didn’t provide the instant heat quickly exactly when we wanted it. So we decided on having a gas stove.

What drew you to a Gazco product?

We wanted a highly efficient, good looking gas wood burner from a well established trusted company and thought that the Gazco Gas Vogue Midi Midline would look perfect in our new home. We liked the contemporary clean lines of the fire, and thought that the Vogue looked very realistic with its log bed, reflective black interior and when lit, the flames really brought the fire to life! Also, we liked the idea of being able to put real logs underneath it in an integrated log store to give the impression, even when not lit, that it was a real wood burning stove. We didn’t need a large output fire – as the room was not huge and we didn’t want to be overwhelmed with heat.

Who was your retailer, and were there any challenges they overcame during the installation?

We looked at lots of different makes of fires online and visited several retail shops but decided on our local fireplace store, The Heating Centre in Coventry where they were lots of different models on display for us to consider. We had previously bought fires from them, as had several of our friends, so we were aware that they had an excellent reputation. They gave us lots of very friendly, helpful and informed advice about they type of flue needed, the output of heat needed and they were able to fit in with our building schedules and requirements.

We really liked the idea of having a local supplier that we could return to, if there was any problem with the fire in the future – and we didn’t want to buy online for such a major item. The Heating Centre organised the installation of the flue and fire, liaising with our builder, without any hitch – exactly as they promised. We also liked the fact that they provided a 2 Year Warranty for our stove.

As it happened, 18 months after fitting the fire – a very small problem occurred that The Heating Centre rectified quickly and efficiently without any fuss and at no charge. We are delighted with their customer service and often recommend them to our friends and neighbours.

What advice would you give to anyone looking to buy a gas log burner?

For anyone contemplating buying a gas stove, we’d advise they consider the size of the room, other sources of heat available and if they will want instant heat at the touch of a button – and of course the fire’s efficiency. Our Gazco wood burner certainly ticks all the boxes we need it to. The stove is a real visual focal point – and we think it’s important that the styling fits in and complements the overall look you are trying to achieve. We wanted a country contemporary look to fit in with our oak-framed Oakwrights home and that has definitely been achieved – we LOVE it!

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.