Buying guide
A panoramic fire is made for a media wall that stands out into the room. With glass on three sides, the flame wraps around the corners and is visible from the sofa, the dining table and the doorway, not just from straight ahead.
What is a three sided fire?
A three sided media wall fire is a built-in electric fire with a glass front and glass end panels. It sits in a box or wall that projects from the main wall, so both ends are exposed. The flame effect and log fuel bed are visible through all three panes, which gives a wider, more open fire than a fully inset model. Acantha calls these versions panoramic.
Our panoramic fires
| Fire | Width | Height | Depth | Heat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acantha Aspire 125 Panoramic | 1304mm (51 inch) | 490mm | 235mm | 1kW or 2kW |
| Acantha Ignis 1500 Panoramic | 1554mm (61 inch) | 604mm | 376mm | 1kW or 2kW |
| Acantha Aspire 200 Panoramic | 2054mm (81 inch) | 490mm | 235mm | 1kW or 2kW |
Where a panoramic fire works
- A media wall that projects. If the false wall or fire box stands out from the main wall, the end glass is on show.
- A room divider. A short, freestanding wall between a living and dining area, with the fire visible from both sides of the end panels.
- A chimney breast. A fire set into a box built proud of a chimney breast.
- Open plan rooms. Where people sit at angles to the fire, the end glass keeps the flame visible.
On a flat wall where the ends would be boxed in, choose the fully inset version instead; see all media wall fires.
Planning the build
The build is like any media wall, with one difference: the ends of the fire must be left open, so the stud frame wraps around the fire rather than enclosing it. Build to the cut-out sizes in the Acantha manual, allow for the depth of the fire (235mm for the Aspire models, 376mm for the Ignis 1500) and any gaps the manual specifies, and plan the socket within reach of the cable (1.6m on the Aspire, 1.5m on the Ignis). Finish the edges around the end glass neatly, because they are on show. Keep the heater outlet clear and follow the manual's clearance to a TV or shelf above. If you need a new socket, spur or circuit in the wall, use a qualified electrician.
Panoramic or fully inset: the trade-offs
| Panoramic (three sided) | Fully inset | |
|---|---|---|
| Flame visible from | Front and both sides | Front only |
| Wall needed | One that projects, so the ends are exposed | Any flat wall or false wall |
| Build | Frame wraps around the fire; end edges on show | Simple opening in the wall |
| Best for | Open plan rooms, room dividers, chimney breasts | Living rooms with seating facing the wall |
Both versions share the same width, height, heat settings and flame effect, so the choice comes down to the shape of the wall you are building.
Design ideas
Panoramic fires look their best when the box around them is clean and simple, so the end glass reads as part of the design. A projecting chimney breast style box with the fire low down and a TV recess above is a popular layout. In a large open plan room, a short wall with the fire running through it can divide the seating area from the dining area while letting the flame be seen from both. Light the alcoves or shelves either side in a warm white to echo the glow of the fuel bed, and keep the finish around the end glass crisp, as it is visible from across the room.
Heat and controls
Each fire has 1kW and 2kW heat settings and a 3D LED flame over a log fuel bed that runs with or without the heat. On 2kW it heats about 28 cubic metres on its own using the rule of about 1kW per 14 cubic metres, so in a large open plan room it adds warmth to the seating area rather than heating the whole space. The remote includes a 7-day timer. Running cost is simple: an hour on 2kW uses 2kWh, and the flame alone uses far less.
Choosing the width
For a projecting wall in an average living room, the 1304mm Aspire 125 is the usual choice. The Ignis 1500 gives a deeper fuel bed and taller glass, which shows off the end panels well. The 2054mm Aspire 200 suits a long feature wall or a room divider in a large open plan space. As a guide, a 55 inch TV is about 1.22m wide and a 75 inch TV about 1.66m.
Common questions
What is a three sided electric fire?
A built-in electric fire with glass on the front and both ends, so the flame can be seen from the sides as well as the front.
What is the difference between panoramic and fully inset?
A panoramic fire has front and end glass and needs its ends exposed. A fully inset fire has glass on the front only and sits flush in a flat wall.
Can I put a panoramic fire in a flat wall?
The end glass would be hidden, so a fully inset version is the better choice for a flat wall.
How much heat do panoramic fires give?
The Acantha panoramic fires have 1kW and 2kW settings, and the flame can run without heat.
How deep is a panoramic media wall fire?
235mm for the Aspire 125 and 200, and 376mm for the Ignis 1500.
Do panoramic fires come with a remote?
Yes. The Acantha fires come with a remote control that includes a 7-day timer.
Can I use a panoramic fire as a room divider?
Yes. Built into a short wall between two areas with the ends exposed, the flame is visible from around the room.
Do I need an electrician?
The fires plug in. For a new socket, spur or circuit in the wall, use a qualified electrician.
Which panoramic fire is the deepest?
The Acantha Ignis 1500 Panoramic, at 376mm deep and 604mm high, with a deeper fuel bed than the 235mm Aspire models.
Fire on three sides
Compare widths and depths, then plan the wall around the fire.