Carl Finnell · Case study · Pannal, Harrogate

A herringbone chamber under a restored mahogany surround

In Pannal, near Harrogate, we opened up the chimney for a Contura 210 wood burning stove, lined the new chamber in handmade-style herringbone brick and refitted the home's original mahogany surround around it.

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ApplianceContura 210 5kW wood burning stove

LocationPannal, Harrogate

ChamberHerringbone brick, London Weathered Yellow

HearthAntique Leather granite, boxed and lipped

The finished Contura 210 in its herringbone chamber, framed by the restored mahogany surround.

The chamber

A bigger opening, lined in herringbone brick

We carefully removed the existing timber fireplace surround and had the redundant LPG supply safely capped and sealed by a Gas Safe registered engineer before starting the wood burning stove installation. We then opened the chimney breast to form a larger chamber with the correct proportions for the appliance, installing a reinforced concrete lintel to support the masonry above.

The new chamber was lined with handmade-style herringbone brick slips in London Weathered Yellow, chosen so the warm tones and traditional texture complement the home's dark mahogany surround and its planned flooring. Beneath it we installed a bespoke Antique Leather granite hearth, a 1000mm by 500mm chamber hearth with a 1600mm by 380mm boxed and lipped raised front, an elegant finish that works equally well with fitted carpet or timber floors.

The surround

The original mahogany, put back better than before

Once the chamber was complete, the original mahogany surround was carefully refitted, mechanically fixed into position, and the surrounding walls were made good. The fireplace was then thoroughly cleaned and finished with colour-matched caulk for a neat, seamless join, so the new stove looks like it has always belonged in the room.

The flue and the air

A short chimney solved, and a cleaner burn

The property's chimney is shorter than the recommended effective flue height, which can increase the likelihood of downdraught in certain winds. To overcome it we fitted a British-manufactured 316-grade Triple Lock flexible stainless steel liner and specified a Flue Cube anti-downdraught cowl, which improves chimney draw and keeps stove performance consistent even when the weather would normally cause problems, while keeping birds, rain and wind out of the flue.

To get the most from the stove we fitted a direct external air supply, an 80mm connection drawing combustion air straight from outside rather than from a room vent. That reduces draughts in the room and gives a cleaner, more efficient burn with lower emissions and less fuel used. The installation was completed with a Contura 210 wood burning stove and a carbon monoxide alarm, then fully commissioned, safety tested, HETAS certified and demonstrated to the homeowners before handover.

Before: the original open fireplace and mahogany surround, room mid-renovation

The Contura 210, a compact 5kW wood burning stove

Antique Leather matt black granite, tough and forgiving of ash

The thinking

A compact stove in a richer period setting

This Pannal fireplace works because the new parts defer to the original mahogany surround rather than competing with it. The Contura 210 is a compact 5kW stove, so it brings clean Scandinavian performance without overwhelming the restored timber, herringbone chamber or raised granite hearth.

The London Weathered Yellow brick slips were doing more than adding pattern. Against dark mahogany they bring warmth and texture, while the herringbone layout gives the back of the chamber enough craft to justify being seen. In a Harrogate-area period home, those material decisions matter as much as the appliance choice.

The technical layer

Short chimney, external air and clean handover

The flue detail is the serious part of this job. A chimney shorter than the recommended effective height can be vulnerable to downdraught, so the 316-grade liner and Flue Cube were specified to help stabilise draw. That is not a decorative choice, it is the difference between a good-looking fireplace and one that behaves in bad weather.

The direct external air connection also fits the way many renovated homes now behave. Drawing air straight from outside helps avoid room draughts and supports a cleaner burn. For homes around Harrogate, Pannal and Burn Bridge, the same survey checks decide whether direct air, a cowl or a standard liner is appropriate. A related timber-and-brick proof point is the restored Edwardian surround in Selby.

Questions about this kind of job

Asked and answered

Why use herringbone brick inside a chamber?

It adds craft and movement to a small surface that would otherwise be plain. In this room it also warms up the dark mahogany surround and makes the compact stove feel properly framed.

What does a Flue Cube do?

A Flue Cube is an anti-downdraught terminal used where chimney height or exposure can make draw inconsistent. It is specified after looking at the chimney, not added as a blanket rule.

Why fit a direct external air supply?

It lets the stove take combustion air from outside rather than pulling air from the room. That can reduce draughts and suits many renovated or better-sealed homes.

Do you work in Pannal and south Harrogate villages?

Yes. Pannal, Burn Bridge, Beckwithshaw and the wider Harrogate area are within the regular survey and installation patch.

HETAS Registration Number 2087

HETAS registered

Installed with care, certified with confidence

Carl self-certifies every installation and notifies Building Control on your behalf, so the work is signed off properly and your certificate of compliance is issued for your records.