Fireplaces Ballymena

Fireplace Fitter Ballymena Northern Ireland (BT42): If you're cheesed off with soaring energy costs and would like to find another way to heat your property in Ballymena, why don't you open up that disused fireplace and put in a budget friendly multi-fuel, wood burning or open fire? You won't just take pleasure in the warmth and ambience of an open fire or stove through the chilly winter's days, but if you combine a new fireplace with a back boiler, you'll also be provided with an adequate supply of steaming hot water.

To achieve an efficient and safe fireplace, there are some crucial considerations you must bear in mind, before you begin smashing down the walls of a blocked up fireplace. Any work which is carried out on your fireplace, hearth, chimney breast and flue lining must comply with the United Kingdom's Part J building regulations for heat producing appliances. If you reside in a listed building, or a property that sits in a conservation, you'll need to find out from the council if planning permission is necessary for the installation of a fireplace.

PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION OR DIY?

A basic renovation of an existing fireplace can probably be completed by a competent DIYer, but if any building work is necessary there is a chance of encountering structural problems which will need to be dealt with by a professional. You might be fortunate when you uncover the old fireplace and discover that you need nothing more than a thorough chimney sweep and a quick clean up of the hearth to get your roaring fire once more. If you're not so lucky, you will discover a wall of crumbling, old bricks that is concealing a litany of problems, like an old broken lintel or a blocked chimney.

If fireplaces are installed improperly there's not just a fire risk to your property, but there can also be associated health hazards, which is why it is better to bring in a professional Ballymena installation team for fireplaces. Airflow must be adequate in any room which has a fireplace; in fact it is a requirement in Part J of the Building Regulations that this is so. Insufficient oxygen means that the fire will not burn properly, and a build up of carbon monoxide could occur, which can lead to breathing problems or even death.

To guarantee an adequate air flow for the fire to combust safely and efficiently, a specialist fireplace installation team will analyse the situation and fit vents around the room, or under the flooring, thus solving this issue. Vents might also need to be installed in unused chimney flues which often cause stains and damp patches on to a chimney breast, because of moist, condensed air being trapped.

BEFORE WORK BEGINS

When you're opening up an unused fireplace for a restoration project, you might be amazed at the quantity of soot and dust that has built-up in your old chimney. So that any rugs, furniture and carpets inside an area don't get impacted by the muck and soot that is emitted during works by a fireplace installer, it is advisable to have them removed beforehand. If you're performing a full restoration of a house or room, the fireplace ought to be opened up and worked on before any decoration or plastering works are undertaken. By opening up a fireplace first you will prevent any soot from the chimney causing damage to other parts of your project, such as wallpapered walls or fresh plasterwork.

CONSTRUCTION & STRUCTURAL WORK

Now that you are able to see the fireplace opening it's time to sweep and clean the hearth and chimney and work out what can be refurbished. This would be the perfect time to get in touch with a local Ballymena chimney sweep to see whether they are able to come and inspect your fireplace and chimney. Whilst doing cleaning and sweeping, they'll be able to assess the structural integrity of your chimney and flue liner, and suggest what is needed to get everything working safely.

Construction could be required to reinforce the existing chimney and breast, and it might be necessary to put in a new flue liner. All this renovation work will need to comply with the latest UK Building Regulations which are there for you and your loved one's safety. Experience in the right construction practices and an extensive knowledge of the appropriate Building Regs will be needed by anybody who attempts this type of renovation work, so what you really want is a skilled builder or fireplace installer and shouldn't try to do this on your own.

In an older building a supporting concrete lintel might be necessary to adapt the opening, if you discover that the uncovered fireplace is too wide for your planned design. Once this step has been accomplished, the repair or upgrading of the existing hearth can be tackled. You might discover that the original hearth has been set into the floor, but to abide by current Building Regulations for the UK it is required to be raised at least 12.5mm above normal floor level. If your fireplace is of non-standard size you may have to choose a made to measure hearth, however there are a wide range of pre-made hearths in marble, slate or granite.

FIREPLACE STYLES AND DESIGNS

You will quickly realise that you're spoiled for choice in relation to fireplaces, with the huge selection of choices that are available to you, once you step inside a quality fireplace outlet. The advice and recommendations from your installation team, which will be based on your specific requirements, will enable you to pick a fireplace which is both suitable for your existing flue and chimney, and suited to your decor.

Some homes and rooms will look better with an open fireplace than a multi-fuel or wood burning stove and vice versa. If you've got an attractive inglenook fireplace, a wood burner can look amazing in this surrounding, and also has the benefit of effectively deflecting heat into the room from the stone or brick walls that surround the stove.

Even if you don't have a chimney breast in your Ballymena home, it is still possible to install a wood burning or multi fuel stove. You do not have to have a chimney to experience an authentic fire, providing that you have an external wall through which a stainless steel flue from the wood burner can be passed.

OPEN, GAS, MULTI-FUEL, ELECTRIC OR WOOD FIREPLACE?

The ambience and charm of an open fire can't be surpassed, but what alternatives are out there if this form of fireplace isn't possible within your Ballymena home?

Gas Fireplaces - More efficient thermally than wood burning stoves, gas fireplaces are available in a wide variety of styles to complement your house in Ballymena. The installation and maintenance of gas fires must only be conducted by a Gas Safe technician in Ballymena.

Wood Burning Stoves - Available in a broad variety of sizes and styles that can be a freestanding feature where needed, these ever-popular stoves can be employed in rooms of just about any size. An added advantage of these devices is that they can provide piping hot water for domestic use, or provide heating in another room by way of a radiator, when combined with a back boiler.

Multi-Fuel Stoves - As the name indicates they can be fired up with with different fuels, such as oil, gas, wood or smokeless coal, and become a unique focal point in any kitchen or lounge in Ballymena. If you decide on a multi-fuel stove from AGA for example, you can get hot water, do cooking, and when plumbed into your central heating system, heat your entire property.

Electric Fireplaces - Straightforward installation and a diverse choice of designs make electric fires a popular choice for Ballymena houses that don't have a chimney breast. An electric fire can be installed in your property, even if you've got a regular fireplace, and many of them look almost like a genuine fire with crackling sound effects and dancing flames.

Open Fireplaces - Having the capability to burn virtually any solid fuel that's available to purchase, the open fireplace can provide a crackling fire as an excellent focal point for a room or living area. Today's fireplaces are not the inefficient, smoky and draughty features that they used to be, and an open fire creates a warm, cosy atmosphere for the enjoyment of its occupants.

Fireplace installation providers can be accessed in Broughshane, Maghera, Kells, Dunloy, Glenarm, Cullybackey, Garvagh, Kilrea, Gracehill, Moorfields, Cloughmills, Rasharkin, Toomebridge, Portglenone, Bellaghy, Gaigorm, in these nearby postcodes: BT42 2NG, BT42 2AP, BT42 1BG, BT42 2BD, BT42 1BD, BT42 1AB, BT42 2HQ, BT42 1QF, BT42 2NA, and BT42 1DA, and in Ballymena itself. If they've got the postcode BT42 and the telephone code 028, it is likely that they hail from Ballymena or someplace nearby. Ballymena householders can access these fireplace services anytime they need them. Clicking the "quote" banner or form will enable you to obtain the installation of fireplaces details for your area.

Brick Fireplaces Ballymena

Brick fireplaces have long been a staple in interior design. They provide warmth, charm and character to any space. Even though traditional brick fireplaces were primarily used for heating purposes, they have evolved to become a statement piece in many contemporary homes. Below are a few things to consider if you're considering a brick fireplace for your home in Ballymena.

First, decide on the design of brick fireplace you want. You can go with a traditional design with a hearth and mantel, or a modern pattern with sleek, clean lines and a minimalist design. You can use a brick fireplace as a statement piece, so think carefully about the size and location of your fireplace. A larger fireplace can provide a stunning centerpiece in a room, while a smaller fireplace can provide a comfy nook.

Brick fireplaces can be built using different kinds of brick. You can pick from a range of brick textures and colours to match your property's design. It is also possible to add extra elements such as stone, tile or wood to highlight the brickwork.

Finally, don't forget about the practical considerations. A brick fireplace can be a source of heat for your property, therefore you'll want to make certain it is correctly vented and that you're using it safely.

A brick fireplace can be a beautiful and functional addition to your dwelling in Ballymena. With a bit of attention to detail and planning, you can create a fireplace that not only provides warmth but also adds character and charm to your home.

Natural Stone Fireplaces Ballymena

You could always think about bringing the outside in, and build a fireplace out of natural stone, which is an effective way to achieve a truly spectacular look. Maybe you have already got some stone features on the exterior of your home, for instance a boundary wall or stone facade. Your fireplace inside, could coordinate with those natural features outside.

Either full-depth stone or a thinner stone cladding can be used to create a stone fireplace. Your budget and taste could influence your decision. There are also various different types of stone that can be used for building a fireplace, including: limestone, marble, sandstone, quartz, slate or granite.

Your completed fireplace's appearance will be affected by the individuality of the craftsman or stonemason who builds it, the method of building (mortar jointed or dry stone) and the kind of stone that is used. Do some research before your fireplace company begins, and show them some photos of what you have in mind.

Stone isn't always a suitable material for a modern home, because it has a striking appearance and can rather dominate the look of a space, but of course this is down to the choice of each individual householder - maybe spectacular is what you have in mind!

Chimney Sweeping Ballymena

If your home in Ballymena has an open fire or a stove, it is essential that you get your chimney swept regularly. At least once yearly is the recommendation for chimney sweeping.

You can sweep your own chimney, if you possess the appropriate equipment, but this is an unpleasant job and is best left to a specialist Ballymena chimney sweep if you want it to be done correctly and cleanly. While the chimney sweep is cleaning your chimney, he will also be keeping an eye out for any problems, so that they can then be promptly dealt with.

If you do not consistently sweep your chimney in Ballymena, the resulting accumulation of soot, ash and creosote can quite easily lead to a chimney fire. In addition to the risk of fires, you will want to avoid at all costs any possibility of poisonous carbon monoxide gas flowing back into your property, another typical result of poorly maintained chimneys.

Ensure you pick a qualified chimney sweep in Ballymena, and check that they are covered by public liability insurance in case of accidents or damages. To check on the current chimney sweeping prices in Ballymena GO HERE. You should also be able to get chimney sweeping done in nearby locations and areas.

Practical Ideas On How To Keep Your Fireplace And Lower Your Heating Bills

With all of the current concerns about the environment, the traditional fireplace has lost some of its charm, however it still is a favourite feature for many property owners in Ballymena. There's nothing quite like feeling the real warmth of an open fireplace on a cold winter evening. There are many good things about having an open fireplace however there are a few negative aspects that could possibly need to be dealt with. With energy costs going up so swiftly nowadays, your open fireplace should be a source of heat, and not an inefficient one. When you've got a fire going in the fireplace, it can actually take away warm air away from the room, making your heat source work harder. Anytime there's no fire, a damper should control the airflow. Unfortunately, dampers sometimes have an ineffective seal, so chilly air gets in, and warm air passes out.

What many folks in Ballymena may not know about their fireplace is that it does not do exactly what they imagine it is doing. Instead of managing the heating of a house naturally, a fireplace can in fact add hundreds of pounds to the cost of your heating. Nevertheless, there are some procedures that can be followed that can turn your budget smashing fireplace into something far more efficient. There are at least 4 basic points that you could certainly do to improve your fireplace. All of these will make your fireplace very economical and very efficient.

The first suggestion is to swap your existing fireplace damper with a more efficient top sealing damper. This type of damper is placed near the top of your chimney and helps to stop rain and snow from entering. It does a superb job of retaining warm air in the house during winter months and cool air from escaping in the warmer months. It is not that hard to install and may be easily bought online. Another thing you can do is fit a fire-back in the back part of your fireplace. It's produced from cast iron and it is used to enhance the appearance of your fireplace while at the same time protecting the back wall from heat damage. The fire-back will take the heat from a fire, and sends it back into the room, improving the overall performance of the fireplace.

Another approach is to obtain a fireplace heater, which draws in air in a room and warms it up. These devices are set up as closed systems so they do not produce any smoke, but they're quite effective at warming your property. The last thing that can be done is to fix glass doors, which may be the most expensive option. Browsing around, you ought to be able to locate a great deal, and with an instruction manual, you could put them in yourself. These doors help to keep the heat from getting away and also it keeps children and pets from being burned.

Every one of these ideas are straightforward to implement, and the products can easily be found on the internet. Just do your best to keep your fireplace efficient and watch your heating bill go down.

Leave a Review

Today, the difference between a business in Ballymena attracting potential clients or seeing them go to a rival, is having glowing online reviews and testimonials. If somebody has done a good job for you, it is only good and proper that you leave them a nice review, and let others know about how they did. Both the fireplace company itself and prospective future clients can be helped by this sharing of your personal experience. You should consider how checking out reviews helped you when you were hunting for someone to install a fireplace. No matter how professional a business's website may look, without those reviews you might have looked at other providers.

But, when reviews are prominently displayed on a business's website, can you really believe that they are authentic? Were actual clients involved in writing these, or were they "thought up" by an employee in order to make them look better?

Checking out Google My Business reviews is the best way to look for authentic and frank online reviews. People in Ballymena, and all around the world, browse the reputation of companies each day on this most trusted of websites. Another alternative when you're looking to leave reviews for a reliable local company or service in Ballymena, is Bing Places for Business, which is Google My Business's major rival and the 2nd biggest review area available. You will be able to help to enhance the profile of a company that worked successfully on your fireplace installation project by writing and posting an enthusiastic review here, and while doing so establish a summary of the working standards and trustworthiness which they exhibited.

You could also post business testimonials on Twitter and Facebook pages, which can be just as effective. The marketing and promotional advertising of any small business in Ballymena will depend heavily on such social media giants. Your supportive reviews will help to strengthen their sales message, and if you have offered recommendations to friends and relations who are interested in services of a similar nature, this will give them a kick off point for their search for the ideal tradesman.

Even in these modern, high-tech times, a traditional hand-drafted thank you letter is more than acceptable. Still essential in an online world, these letters can be photographed or scanned for use on the website, or added to a portfolio of reviews which can be used in one on one meetings with prospective customers. The incentive for you is the wonderful feeling that you get, knowing you've in some way helped a local small business get a foothold in a highly competitive marketplace and hopefully drum up more custom.

Ballymena Fireplace Related Tasks

Such things as carbon monoxide detector installation, chimney modifications, Regency fireplaces Ballymena, period fireplaces, oak beam fireplaces, outdoor fireplaces Ballymena, chimney cowl installations, hearth fireplaces, double-sided stoves, the installation of Regency fireplaces, 2-sided fireplaces, marble fireplaces Ballymena, stone fireplaces in Ballymena, fireplace installation in Ballymena, fire grate conversions, fireplace suites in Ballymena, brick fireplace installations, chimney lining, flue lining, chimney repairs, designer fireplace installations Ballymena, designer fireplaces, Victorian fireplaces, modern fireplace, cast fireplaces, electric fireplace installations Ballymena, fireplace surrounds, electric fireplaces Ballymena, brick fireplaces, gas fireplaces Ballymena, open fireplaces, fake fireplace installations, cast iron fireplace installations Ballymena, reclaimed fireplace installations, contemporary fireplaces Ballymena are just some of the services and tasks that your local Ballymena fireplace installer can accomplish. This is on no account a comprehensive list of what's on offer from a local fireplace installer. Ballymena companies will inform you about their whole range of fireplace services if you phone or email them. If there are different Ballymena fireplace requirements that you are looking for but cannot find here, you can give them a mention on the QUOTE FORM provided.

Family & Friends Recommendations

Obtaining recommendations from friends and family is invariably a good idea when trying to find a professional contractor for your fireplace project or undertaking in Ballymena. If you are really serious about identifying someone who is ideal for your needs, it is widely accepted that word of mouth references are frequently the preferred solution. And aside from that, they can be a great help in weeding out Northern Ireland companies with less than glowing records of service, or contractors with bad reputations.

Getting the feedback of a friend or family member also means that you can determine whether anything went pear-shaped, how swiftly faults were put right, and what the contractor's attitude was like. Furthermore you can get a bit of first hand insights into the time keeping and reliability of the contractor involved. They'll be in a position to tell you how close the initial quote was compared to the final price, which, unless they have some kind of price promise, can often be difficult to obtain from the contractors directly.

Your family and friends are individuals you know, and at the end of the day in regards to advice, they're the individuals to trust. If you notice that they're hesitant to discuss a certain fireplace installer or contractor, it is probably because they've had a poor experience. A lot of people will be more than willing to speak about a good contractor, but less inclined to discuss a lousy one, and might even endorse some alternative company rather than 'besmirch' a far from perfect business they have dealt with previously.

Fireplace Installers Near Ballymena

Also find: Kilrea fireplace installers, Bellaghy fireplace installers, Portglenone fireplace installers, Dunloy fireplace installers, Rasharkin fireplace installers, Gaigorm fireplace installers, Maghera fireplace installers, Kells fireplace installers, Garvagh fireplace installers, Cloughmills fireplace installers, Gracehill fireplace installers, Cullybackey fireplace installers, Glenarm fireplace installers, Moorfields fireplace installers, Toomebridge fireplace installers, Broughshane fireplace installers and more. These and other locations are catered for by fireplace installers and associated tradesmen and women. These tradesmen, with their expertise and knowledge, are well-equipped to perform successful fireplace installations in your property. Residents can enjoy the ambiance, warmth and comfort that a fireplace brings to their living spaces with the assistance and help of these dedicated professionals. By clicking here, fireplace installation quotes are readily accessible to local householders.

If you want local info relating to Ballymena, Northern Ireland check here

Fireplace installation in BT42 area, phone code 028.

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