Sun Spot Solar

A History of Ceramic Tile Stoves
A fascination with fire ....

People are fascinated with fire. We are drawn to open flames like no other species. From time immemorial, fire has been one of our basic needs for survival. Fire releases trapped chemical energy in wood and transforms it into heat energy, which we need to keep us warm, and heat our water and food.

Bringing warmth to your home
The beginnings of today's heat storing masonry stoves dates back about 4500 years to the Bronze Age. Originating in the foothills of Alps, the first stoves used a cylindrical stone construction with a barrel-shaped clay vault as the superstructure. Stones were used in these early stoves to absorb and store the fire's heat energy, released through the combustion process. For the first time, people were successful in storing the energy released in fire and transforming this energy into radiant heat. Advances in forming ceramic pottery led to the development of the first stove tiles or "Kacheln", as they are referred to in German.

A very modern, successful interpretation of the traditional ceramic stove or "Kachelofen".

Barock: High Point of Ceramic Stove Design
Over the centuries, ceramic tiles or "Kachel" reflected the influence of the style at the time, from the Gothic to the Barock, Rococo, Biedemeier and into modern times. The ornate designs of the Barock period in the 16th and 17th centuries marked a high point of artistic achievement.

Ceramic Masonry Stoves in 20th Century
The introduction of central heating systems at the beginning of the 20th Century pushed the tile stove out of our living rooms. With the energy crisis of the 1970's, Europeans especially, began looking at wood burning ceramic / masonry stoves again as an alternative to expensive fossil fuel burning appliances.

At the same time, society began to develop an increasing awareness of the environmental impact of burning non-renewable fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas. Sustainable living and quality of life issues brought wood burning tile stoves back as permanent and beautiful additions to our homes.

As in the days of old, a fire dispels the cold and darkness of the night. The cozy warmth of a fireplace or stove brings people together to share each other's company. It becomes an inviting gathering place in the home.

Ceramic tile design of the 1970's was still very much oriented to the traditional bowl shapes and motifs. Since then designs have evolved to reflect the styles of our own times.

Ceramic tiles are the ideal building stones for all masonry type stoves. With tile stoves, the majority of heat is given off as radiant heat, heat that warms solid surfaces. Radiant heat is similar to the sun's radiation, which helps create a comfortable environment, a feeling of security and relaxation.

Naturally, advances have been made combustion technology as well. Today's stoves burn wood more efficiently and cleaner than ever before, saving you money as you burn a fraction of the wood that a competing appliance would consume. Because of the heat storage effect, you can enjoy up to 12 hours of warmth with less than an hour's burn. Click here to view Internal Structure.

See the Custom Stove Showroom

Sun Spot Solar & Heating offers an unlimited variety of styles, designs, colors, and textures for your tile stove project. Browse through our virtual studio and imagine the possibilities. If you can picture it, we can build it. Please contact us for more information or to arrange a personal consultation.