Buying guide
A fireplace suite is the quickest way to give a room a proper fireplace. There is no builder's opening, no flue and no hearth to lay: the suite arrives as a set, goes together, stands against a flat wall and plugs in.
What is an electric fireplace suite?
An electric fireplace suite combines a fire surround and an electric fire in one matched set, and floor standing suites add a back panel and hearth. Most stand flat to the wall, so the fire sits within the depth of the suite itself rather than in a chimney. That makes them ideal for new builds, flats and rooms where the chimney has been removed, and for anyone who wants a traditional fireplace look with the convenience of electric heat.
Our fireplace suites
| Suite | Size (W x H x D) | Finish | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Chilton | 1000 x 930 x 300mm | Oak and cream | Adam Blenheim inset electric fire, 1kW or 2kW, brass or chrome effect |
| Adam Southwold with Colorado | 1100 x 1020 x 300mm | Unfinished oak and cream | Adam Colorado, coal effect, brushed steel, 1kW or 2kW |
| Adam Southwold with Helios | 1100 x 1020 x 300mm | Unfinished oak and cream | Adam Helios, pebble bed with LED glow, brushed steel, 1kW or 2kW |
| Sureflame WM-9332 | 1120 x 447 x 305mm | Pure white, grey side panels, dimmable downlights | 3D LED flame, 1kW or 2kW, remote with 7-day timer |
Floor standing or wall hung?
The Adam Chilton and Southwold are floor standing suites: the hearth sits on the floor and the surround stands against the wall, at the scale of a traditional fireplace. The Sureflame WM-9332 hangs on the wall instead, with its own frame and downlights, so the floor beneath stays clear. Choose floor standing for a classic living room focal point, and wall hung for a modern room, a narrow wall or a space under a TV.
Checking the fit
- Wall width. Allow the suite's width plus space either side so it does not look squeezed. The Chilton is 1000mm wide and the Southwold 1100mm.
- Depth into the room. The Adam suites are 300mm deep, so check skirting, radiators and door swings nearby.
- A flat wall. Flat-to-wall suites need a reasonably flat surface to stand against and fix back to.
- Socket. Plan where the plug will go. A socket behind or beside the suite keeps the cable hidden.
- Skirting boards. Some people cut the skirting so the suite sits tight to the wall; check the manual.
Assembly and fitting
Floor standing suites arrive flat packed or in parts and go together with the fixings supplied; the Chilton needs assembling. The surround is fixed back to the wall so it cannot tip, and the fire fits into the suite as the manual shows. It is a two person job because of the size of the panels, but no trades are needed. Wall-hung suites go up on their bracket like a wall fire. Electric suites need no chimney, flue or hearth beyond what is supplied, and produce no fumes.
Heat and controls
Every suite here gives 1kW or 2kW of heat, enough to warm a room of about 28 cubic metres on its own using the 1kW per 14 cubic metres rule, or to top up central heating in a bigger room. On the Southwold suites the flame or glow can run without the heat; check the listing for the others. The Sureflame WM-9332 has a remote with a 7-day timer; the Adam fires are controlled on the fire itself. An hour on 2kW uses 2kWh, so multiply by your electricity unit rate for the cost.
Suite, or surround and fire separately?
A suite is the simplest route: everything is designed to fit together, the fire comes with it and there is no chimney opening to worry about. Buying a surround, back panel and hearth separately, with an inset electric fire or even a gas fire, gives more choice of materials and sizes, and suits a room that already has a fireplace opening. If you have no chimney breast and want a fireplace quickly, choose a suite; if you are restoring an existing fireplace, choose the parts.
Looking after your suite
Dust the surround with a soft, dry cloth and avoid harsh cleaners on painted, oak effect or veneered finishes. Keep the fire's heater outlet clear and do not stand ornaments or candles in front of it. Wipe the glass and fascia when the fire is cool. If you move the suite, unplug the fire first and refix the surround to the wall in its new position.
Choosing a style
Oak and cream suites such as the Chilton and Southwold suit traditional and cottage-style rooms, and pair well with warm wall colours and wooden floors. The Southwold gives you a choice of fire: the Colorado's coal effect for a classic look or the Helios pebble bed for something calmer. The white Sureflame WM-9332 with grey side panels and downlights suits a contemporary room. If you already have a fireplace opening and want to keep the chimney, look at a separate fire surround with an inset electric fire.
Common questions
What is an electric fireplace suite?
A matched set of surround, back panel, hearth and electric fire that stands flat to the wall, with no chimney needed.
Do electric fireplace suites need a chimney?
No. The fire sits within the suite and needs only a socket.
How much heat does an electric suite give?
Our suites give 1kW or 2kW, enough for a small room or as a top-up in a larger one.
Is assembly required?
Floor standing suites such as the Adam Chilton need assembling with the fixings supplied. It is a two person job but needs no trades.
How deep are the suites?
The Adam Chilton and Southwold are 300mm deep and the Sureflame WM-9332 305mm.
Can I choose a different fire for the Southwold?
The Southwold is listed with the Adam Colorado (coal effect) or the Adam Helios (pebble bed).
Does a suite need to be fixed to the wall?
Yes. Floor standing suites are fixed back to the wall so they cannot tip, as the manual describes.
Can a suite go in a flat or new build?
Yes. With no chimney or flue needed, suites suit flats, new builds and rooms where the chimney has been removed.
A fireplace without a chimney
Compare sizes and finishes on each suite's listing.