A Beam can be an attractive and cost effective alternative to a more traditional Mantel surrounds. Beams are becoming an increasingly popular choice to add a contemporary or a rustic charm and provide a useful area to display personal or ornamental items.

Oak Beams are a popular choice as they reflect the organic nature of the firewood used to power a stove. The advantages of Oak beams are that they come in a wide variety of finishes, colours, and dimensions. But not all Oak beams are suitable for mounting above a fireplace, the heat generated by a stove can cause cheaper Oak Beams to distort, rip from their mountings and fall; our Oak Beams are designed to withstand the heat generated by a stove. The disadvantages of Oak Beams are they are very heavy to mount, and because Oak is a combustible material, Oak beams must normaly be mounted several inches above the fireplace leaving a gap of several inches between the top of the fireplace and the Beam.

Geocast Beams are constructed from natural inorganic composite materials which are formed into a range of high definition iconic authentic designs. Geocast beams are becoming an increasingly popular choice because they are relatively easy to mount on any surface, easy to clean, can incorporate ambient down lights and because Geocast Beams are non-combustible they can be mounted directly above the fireplace providing a seamless appearance.

Building Regulations stipulate the minimum hight above a stove and fireplace a Beam can be mounted. The acceptable minimum height is calculated based on the composition of the Beam, the stove manufacturer’s guidelines, the flue being used and the design of the fireplace. If Building Regulations are not fully complied with when your stove is installed, the installation cannot receive HETAS or OFTEC certification and your home insurance could be invalidated.

The safest and easiest way to ensure Building Regulations are complied with and your stove receives and maintains HETAS or OFTEC certification is to allow us to supply your Beam and our HETAS and OFTEC registered engineers install your Beam when they install your stove.