Lucy & Dale, Stockton 5, Period Property Stove Renovation

Lucy & Dale, Exeter
October 24, 2015

Lucy & Dale recently purchased a beautiful old end of terrace cottage built around 1875. Their renovation project took approximately 5 months. The Q&A provides shows the process of choosing a stove appliance for a period property.  Find out more about Lucy & Dale’s testimonial. 

Q. Please briefly describe your renovation project including the style and age of your property

A. We were fortunate enough to come across a beautiful old end of terrace cottage built around 1875, which was in desperate need of updating. The renovation included re-plastering the majority of the walls and ceilings, new bathroom, kitchen, flooring, complete re-wire and a considerable amount of work returning the two existing fireplaces to their former glory. We felt it important to renovate to a high standard and in keeping with the period of the property.

Q. How long did the project take?

A. The entire project took roughly 5 months.

Q. Please give the make, model and size of your stove – also is it woodburning only or multi-fuel?

A. Stovax Stockton 5, wood burning stove.

Q. How long have you wanted a stove?

A. We have always had a desire for owning a period property with the key feature for us being a wood burning stove.

Q. What were the key reasons for installing a stove? For example were you motivated by ambiance, environmental, cost, style, warmth?

A. Having grown up in a house with a wood burner I missed the feeling a stove gives; it creates the heart of the home. We wanted to install a stove mainly for this reason but also for its aesthetics and the practicality of its efficient heating.

Q. What drew you to your particular model?

A. We were considering a Stovax burner because of their excellent reputation and also because they are a local manufacturer. We decided on the Stockton 5 because of its great balance of heat output and its cost; it was also highly recommended to us by our installer. The more traditional look of the appliance really appealed too as we knew it would fit perfectly with the look of the room. It was the largest model that would comfortably fit our opening and we wanted to go for the maximum output.

Q. What type of installation do you have (including the flue)?

A. The stove was installed into a pre-existing, inglenook fireplace with a fully lined chimney.

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 stove and the installation?

A. The whole process of having our stove installed was very straight forward. We had to remove two large 1950’s style tiled fireplaces, which had been previously fitted with gas fires, to reveal the original openings. We built and tiled new hearths choosing traditional finishes of slate and quarry tile. We had the chimney breasts re-plastered for both fireplaces, protecting the area surrounding the woodburner from cracking by using a lime plaster. We were recommended a local installer who lined both chimneys for us and fitted our stove and a Victorian coal fire in only a day and a half. Our installer (who had been recommended by our chimney sweep) recommended the retailer. Once we bought our stove our installer was able to start work in only two weeks. We believe the whole process went so smoothly because everyone involved had been recommended by friends and trusted tradesmen and we hadn’t under estimated the importance of research and preparation.

Q. Where is it in your home?

A. We decided to have the stove fitted into our dining room as we consider it to be the more functional out of our two reception rooms. Our dining room is central within our house and has an open staircase that leads up to the first floor enabling the heat to circulate as much of the house as possible. It’s also ideal for keeping your gravy warm during a Sunday lunch!

Q. How the fire has changed your lives?

A. It’s completed our home! It makes our winters beautifully cosy and comfortable and gives the room the look we have always desired.

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.