
AIANO manufactured bespoke flue guards Porthmeor artists’ studios in St Ives, Cornwall. Picture courtesy of Long & Kentish
AIANO supplies wire mesh covers to a wide range of customers across the country. Architects Long & Kentish approached AIANO to provide some very special bespoke flue guards for the Porthmeor Artists Studios project in St Ives, Cornwall. AIANO manufactures wide range of standard and bespoke wire guards, ranging from radiator guard with special cut-outs and size requirements, to machine guards, to work for artists and film companies. AIANO’s wire working, fabrication and product engineering skills are second to none.
AIANO bespoke flue guards — the design challenge

The inside of Porthmeor artists’ studio showing the wood burning stove pipes that required wire mesh pipe guards
In this case, Long & Kentish asked AIANO to provide guarding shields around the flue pipes of some wood burning stoves in an artist studio. The pipes passed from the ground floor up through the ceiling to the floor above. The flues needed to be protected from accidental touching. Due to the varying installed position of the flues in each of the studios, all three flue guards would have a different dimensions.
The architect had some very definite requirements for the guards. They had to be absolutely finger safe for even the smallest of fingers, because artists would be living in the cottages with their families that might include small children. They were therefore insistent that the guards be made of 1/4” x 1/4” mesh. Secondly, the guards had to be attractive and stylish in keeping with the interior design and character of the cottages, whilst ensuring adequate health and safety protection. AIANO works with a wide range of different meshes, as well as weaving its own mesh for specialised work such as church window guards and machine guards.
The AIANO solution

AIANO bespoke flue guards to go around the flues of wood burning stoves in artists’ cottage in St Ives
Because of the smallness of the mesh aperture, the guards would need to be made from a very fine mesh indeed. In fact, AIANO senior engineer designed each guard to be made in two pieces with horizontal support bars to hold the mesh in position. The bespoke flue guards were made from 22swg weld mesh, which is less than a millimeter thick (0.77mm).
Handling and working with such fine mesh is challenging and delicate work at every stage in the fabrication process—cutting, bending, welding and so on. Each pipe required a guard of a slightly different proportions—each one was unique. After manufacture the bespoke flue guards were powder coated in a light grey to match the ‘bleached’ sea-scape type interior of the cottages. AIANO offers a wide range of options for materials and coatings.
AIANO Bespoke solutions

AIANO bespoke flue guards in 2 pieces made from 1/4” x 1/4” x 22swg mesh. The mesh was less than a millimetre in thickness which presented a design challenge for our senior engineer
You can find other stories on our blog of AIANO bespoke wire guard solutions, including supplying storage heater guards for Dollis Junior School in North West London, and our supply of Bespoke Quartz heater guards to a Laurencekirk Scout group in Aberdeenshire.
Please call Scott or Kate on 020 7987 1184 or email us if you would like to discuss your requirements, or for further information or advice on AIANO heater guards.
Hi, I am looking for a cage guard to go round my twin wall 6″ internal/8″ external stove pipe. The pipe will come up through my lounge ceiling entering my bedroom to sit in a corner of a 90′ corner.
I do not want to box the flue in as am hoping for some residual heat to heat the bedroom.
The height of the cage would be no more than 3 metres.
Is this something that you can offer & if so how much?
Many thanks
Morag
Hi
Similar to the above comment, we need to guard a run of flue pipe. Design spec doesn’t need to be as detailed as the case study. Please let me know costs of a basic guard.
Dear Colin,
Thank you for your enquiry. I have e-mailed you regarding the information we need from you.
Kind regards,
Gokay.
Hello there,
good afternoon. My enquiry is almost identical to one before this. I am looking into option that would allow not to box in twin wall pipe needing to go through one of the rooms in our property during woodturner installation. I like the flue guards options. Your advice is kindly appreciated
Dear Gabriela,
Thank you for your comment.
Please can you email us on sales@aianos.co.uk with dimensions of the flue (height from floor to ceiling, diameter of the flue & depth from the wall to the front of the flue) and photos of the flue. Once we receive this information, we will be able to advise on different options and quotes.
Kind Regards
Aiano Team