Measuring help

To order a Norfolk Fender Seat, you will need to complete the Order Form and Measuring Chart. This page gives additional information for completing the Measuring Chart.

Please give all the measurements as indicated on the Measuring Chart page, bearing in mind that the base of the fender frame is 3½ inches wide, and the seat is seven inches wide, in most cases. There are a few "ifs" and "buts" on this page - bear with it and if you need clarification, do please get in touch.
 

Determining the width of the fender's base.

Hearthstones can be raised (perhaps slate or stone) or flat (set level into the floor). It makes sense for the fender's base to fit snuggly around your hearthstone, sitting on the floor rather than on the hearth. If the base is to fit closely around a raised hearth please give its exact measurement and we will allow for fitting. That will be 'A' on the measuring chart. NB - it's worth checking the width of your hearthstone at the front AND at the back nearer the wall, just in case.
 

It's important to remember that a seven inch seat will overhang on the inside by 3½ inches. While this isn't an issue along the front side, it sometimes means that the seats cannot return to the wall because of a protruding mantle support. So, please check that the gap from the outside edge of the mantle supports to the outside of the hearth is 3½ inches or more. A six inch seat will overhang by 2½ inches, so consider having six inch seats for a cleaner fit.

The illustration, right, shows an ideal set up: the hearth is three or four inches wider each side than the mantle supports. If this is your situation, then scroll down to the next header, "determining the depth". If your hearth is not this much wider than the mantle supports, then don't worry, just read on!

It's not unusual for the width of the hearth to be the same as the width of the mantle supports - this affects how the seats return to the wall.

Pictures three and four, below, show this. A choice has to be made between having a three inch gap between the fender base and the hearthstone each side (picture three), or a three inch cut-out can be made at the inside ends of the seat to fit around the mantle supports (picture number four). If you decide to have seat cut outs, we will need the depth of your mantle supports (that's "D" on the measuring chart). As a general rule, it's best to have the fender sit wider than the hearth with the seats returning to the wall (picture three). But if space is restricted, then have seat cut outs.
 

1. Hearth is three inches or more wider than mantle.
 

 2. Hearth is between none and three inches
wider than mantle.
 

3. Hearth is the same as mantle, but you'd prefer
seats to sit outside of mantle.
 

 4. Hearth is the same as mantle, and you'd
prefer base to sit flush with hearth
(requiring seat cut outs).
 

 5. Hearth is narrower than mantle, but
you'd prefer seats to sit outside mantle.
 

 6. Hearth is narrower than mantle and you'd
prefer the base to sit flush with hearth.

If the hearth width is less than the mantle supports, as in picture five above, then there could be a greater gap between the hearth and base. The seats could return to the mantle supports, like in picture six, as a minimum width.
 

Determining the depth.

If there is no definite hearth, choose the distance you would like the inside edge of the fender base to be from your skirting board, 'B' on the chart. If this distance is less than 18", make sure the fender seat will not be too close to the fire for safety or too close to the mantle piece for comfort. Eighteen inches really is a minimum return, so there may have to be a gap along the front edge.
 

A note on Infill Plates.

If you prefer, we can cover any exposed floor with an infill plate. Usually the infill plate is black painted as this is less obvious against a slate hearth. Shown right is black painted along the returns and the front. You may have the infill plate in the same finish as the rest of the metalwork, but black is the default.

If the gap to be covered is greater than about five inches, then it's best not to have an infill at all - it just becomes too much.


Skirting thickness

If you have a skirting board, we need to know its width. Usually an inch or two. This is so that the seat returns this much further than the base.
 

Other considerations:

The normal height of a fender seat is 20 inches, but this can be higher or lower to suit the fireplace or the size of the room.

In the case of the fender seat with a curved dip, the size of the gap is normally half of the overall length of the fender (with a quarter total length of seat either side).
If you have any gas pipes running along the skirting board, or a gas tap next to the hearth, pleaase give us details and we can build the fender seat to accommodate.
If there are any points on which you would like help or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Phone 01485 520809

Fax 01485 520113

email: hello@norfolkfenderseats.co.uk