Focus Fireplaces

Focus Fireplaces – Made in York

Focus Fireplaces has specialised in designing and manufacturing fireplace products for more than 35 years. Its beams, shelves, surrounds and electric suites are produced using premium timbers and materials at the company’s factory in York.

The range is particularly strong for customers fitting a wood-burning stove and looking for the finishing pieces around it, whether that means a genuine solid oak beam, a complete timber surround or a non-combustible alternative where heat and clearances need greater consideration.

Solid Oak or Non-Combustible Fireplace Beam?

This is one of the main decisions when choosing a Focus fireplace beam.

The correct choice depends on the stove, installation, required clearances and the appearance you want to achieve.

FocusCast Non-Combustible Beams & Surrounds

FocusCast is Focus Fireplaces’ range of non-combustible beams, shelves and surrounds. Products are moulded from real natural materials to reproduce details such as grain, knots, cracks, aged timber and stone while being manufactured from a high-density mineral composite.

Styles include Character, Smooth, York, Heritage, Vintage, Stone and Riva, giving a choice from rustic timber effects through to cleaner contemporary designs.

Focus states that these products can be positioned closer to a stove than genuine timber, subject to the appliance and installation requirements. Their current guidance specifies minimum clearances of 250mm above a 5kW stove and 350mm above a 7kW stove for its non-combustible surrounds and beams. Always check the requirements for the exact stove and fireplace before installation.

Solid Oak Fireplace Beams

For customers who want genuine timber, Focus produces a large collection of solid oak fireplace beams and shelves.

Different profiles allow you to choose anything from a substantial traditional mantel to a slimmer fascia beam or floating shelf. Many models can be produced in bespoke lengths, with selected solid-oak beams available up to approximately three metres.

The character can also be tailored. Options across the collection include smoother prime oak as well as progressively more textured Rustic, Dressed, Aged and Ancient-style finishes.

Because genuine oak is a natural product, every beam is different. Grain, knots, splits, shakes and colour variation are part of the material rather than manufacturing defects.

Made-to-Measure Fireplace Beams

One of the strongest reasons to choose Focus Fireplaces is the ability to adapt many products to the installation rather than designing the fireplace around a fixed-size mantel.

Depending on the product, options can include:

• Bespoke lengths
• Different beam profiles
• Alternative oak textures and ageing
• Different wax and colour finishes
• Optional corbels
• Decorative indents and detailing
• Easy-Fix mounting systems
• Integrated downlights on selected products

This is particularly useful for unusual chimney breasts, wider stove chambers and renovation projects where a standard 48-inch or 54-inch mantel does not provide the correct proportions.

Focus Fireplace Surrounds

Focus also manufactures complete stove and fireplace surrounds in solid timber, painted finishes and non-combustible materials.

Oak surrounds such as the Beamish use substantial timber sections to create a complete three-piece mantel around the stove opening, while cleaner designs suit more contemporary rooms.

Many surrounds can be made to individual dimensions, allowing the opening width, height and overall mantel size to be adjusted around the stove, chamber and chimney breast.

Electric Fireplace Suites

The Focus range extends beyond wood-burning stove installations to include electric fireplace suites. These combine a manufactured surround with an electric fire to create a complete feature without requiring a conventional chimney or flue.

Painted, timber and veneer finishes are available across selected designs, making them suitable for both contemporary and more traditional interiors.

Choosing the Right Beam for a Wood Burner

Do not choose a fireplace beam purely by its width or appearance. The stove’s heat output, manufacturer’s combustible clearances, distance between the appliance and mantel, wall construction and fixing method should all be considered.

A genuine timber beam may be perfectly suitable where sufficient clearance is available. Where the design places the mantel closer to the stove, a non-combustible FocusCast product may be the more appropriate solution.

Bonfire can help specify the beam alongside the complete fireplace and stove installation.

Why Buy Focus Fireplaces from Bonfire?

Bonfire works with fireplace beams, surrounds, hearths, chambers and stove installations every day, so we can help consider how the Focus product works with the complete fireplace rather than treating it as a decorative item in isolation.

• Wide Focus Fireplaces range available online
• Solid oak and non-combustible options
• Bespoke and made-to-measure products available
• Advice on stove clearances and fireplace proportions
• Hearth, chamber and stove supply available
• Professional fireplace and stove installation available
• Reading, Berkshire showroom

Focus Fireplaces FAQs

Where are Focus Fireplaces products made?

Focus Fireplaces manufactures its surrounds, electric suites, shelves and beams at its factory in York using responsibly sourced timber and specialist materials.

What is a FocusCast beam?

FocusCast is a non-combustible high-density mineral composite product moulded from real timber or stone to create a realistic fireplace beam or surround without using combustible wood.

Can Focus fireplace beams be made to measure?

Yes. Many Focus beams, shelves and surrounds can be manufactured to bespoke dimensions, with different profiles, textures and finishes available depending on the product.

Is a non-combustible beam better than solid oak?

Neither is automatically better. Solid oak provides genuine natural timber, while a non-combustible beam can be more appropriate where stove clearances make real timber unsuitable.

Can I fit a Focus beam above a wood-burning stove?

Yes, provided the product, clearance and installation comply with the requirements of the stove and fireplace. Combustible timber and non-combustible FocusCast products have different installation considerations.

Can Bonfire install my fireplace beam or surround?

Yes. Bonfire can incorporate suitable Focus beams and surrounds into complete fireplace and stove installations, including hearths, chambers and associated fireplace work.