Fireplace Fitter Kidlington Oxfordshire (OX5): Opening up a disused fireplace to fit an open fire, a gas fire or a wood burner is a wonderful way to add a homely feel and a bit of character to any Kidlington property. Cold winter evenings can become very enjoyable as you sit back beside your fireplace listening to the crackling of firewood, and if your fire is used in combination with a back boiler you can even enjoy a plentiful supply of hot water too.
However before you start bashing down the walls of a bricked-up fireplace there are some crucial considerations you must bear in mind to achieve an efficient and safe fireplace. Any combustible appliance within residential homes in Kidlington must conform to Part J of the UK's buildings regulations, and this covers chimney breasts, fireplaces, hearths and flue linings. If you are living in a designated conservation area or a listed building you must check with local council if planning permission is required for a fireplace installation in your home.
DIY OR PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION?
A simple restoration of a pre-existing fireplace can be completed by a skilled DIY enthusiast, but if any building work is necessary there is the possibility of running into structural problems that have to be addressed by a professional. It may be the case that when you pull back the covering from a disused fireplace to discover a hidden treasure that needs little more than a good clean and a check from a chimney sweep to get a roaring fire going once again. What's more commonplace however is an area of old, crumbling brickwork that conceals a stopped up flue, and also requires some form of structural modification before it can be used safely.
Employing a certified fireplace fitter in Kidlington is normally advised, since a fireplace which is improperly installed can cause serious risk of fire and respiratory problems. According to the Building Regulations (Part J), a room with a fireplace must have sufficient airflow and oxygen to allow the fire to burn properly and efficiently. Carbon monoxide fumes (which are toxic can accumulate in an inadequately ventilated room where an inefficently burning fire is installed.
To safely get over any airflow problems, vents might be installed around the room as part of a fireplace installation, to guarantee suitable oxygen levels reach the fire. Unused and blocked up chimney flues may also have to have air vents installed because they can sometimes trap moist air within them causing damp to develop inside the chimney breast.
BEFORE WORK BEGINS
Having a fireplace opened up can create large amounts of soot and dust. A fireplace installer will bring dust sheets to cover up your furniture and supply a bit of protection, but it is sensible where possible to remove furniture and woven floor coverings from the area before work commences. If you are fortunate enough to be working on a complete home restoration project then it ought to be one of the initial tasks to concentrate on before re-plastering and decorating the walls. This stops any discolouring damage to any restored work you have already done.
STRUCTURAL & CONSTRUCTION WORK
Once you have exposed your old fireplace you will have a better understanding of what work needs to be done, and also be in a position to thoroughly sweep the chimney and clean up any sections of hearth that remains in place. You now need to get in touch with your chimney sweep, if you haven't already done this, to come and clean the old chimney and fireplace. They'll be willing to provide professional advice on the flue and chimney after sweeping, concerning the condition of the chimney and if it is advisable to replace the existing lining.
If it is necessary to strengthen the chimney or install a flue lining all current Building Regulations must be followed. This sort of work should be tackled by a competent craftsman who is familiar with the relevant building regulations and decent working practices.
If the size of the original fireplace is larger than your needs, a concrete supporting lintel should be installed. When you have successfully supported your fireplace with a lintel it is now possible to renovate or update the hearth. If the existing hearth is set into the floor you will need to raise it above floor level to conform to the latest building regulations. If your fireplace isn't of a standard size you may have to choose a bespoke, tailor-made hearth, but there are also a whole host of "off-the-shelf" hearths in slate, marble or concrete.
STYLES AND DESIGNS OF FIREPLACE
Choosing your ideal fireplace can be tricky when faced with the different designs and styles that are available from an online store or fireplace showroom. Every fireplace may not be suitable for your chimney and flue therefore it's wise to accept any advice from your sales and installation team regarding your specific situation.
Some rooms and homes will be more suitable for open fireplaces than a multi-fuel stove or a wood burner and vice versa. For instance, an attractive inglenook fireplace can be an eye-catching backdrop to a traditional cast iron wood burning stove, highlighting its charm and reflecting heat back into the room.
Even if your Kidlington property does not have a chimney you've still got the option of a fireplace feature through the installation of a multi-fuel stove or a wood burner. An existing chimney isn't needed in this instance as a stainless steel flue is fitted to the top or rear of the stove and taken out through an exterior wall.
WOOD, ELECTRIC, MULTI-FUEL, OPEN OR GAS FIREPLACE?
A crackling fire on a cold, dark evening creates an ambience and charm that can't be matched, but what are the other options available to install in your brand new fireplace in Kidlington?
Open Fireplaces - A crackling fire is an attractive focal point for any room in your home and it has the capability to burn almost any solid fuel that you can purchase. An expertly fitted modern open fire is far from the smoky old fireplace that was boarded up by past owners, and its glowing elegance is a delightful addition to any property in Kidlington.
Multi-Fuel Stoves - As the name implies they can be used with different fuels, such as wood, smokeless coal, oil or gas, and become a focal point in any lounge or kitchen in Kidlington. They can be used not simply for heating an individual room, but some types such as the AGA range, can supply hot water, provide a useful cooking area and can be used to heat the whole home if they're plumbed into a network of radiators.
Electric Fireplaces - Basic installation and a diverse choice of styles make electric fires an extremely popular choice for Kidlington houses that don't have a chimney. They can be set into conventional fireplaces, and with "real feel" electric fires it can often be difficult to distinguish one from the genuine thing.
Gas Fireplaces - Supplying instant heat and more efficient when compared to open fireplaces, there are a whole host of designs to suit any period of property. A Gas Safe certified engineer must maintain and fit any gas fire in your property.
Wood Burning Stoves - Wood burning stoves have become very popular in a lot of households in Kidlington, and can have classic or modern styling to suit your decor. An integrated back boiler is an extra benefit and could provide steaming hot water for use around the home, or for heating in another area via a radiator.
It is not just in Kidlington that you're able to hire fireplace installation services - surrounding areas like: Wolvercote, Bletchingdon, Nethercott, Cassington, Glympton, Hampton Poyle, Yarnton, Bladon, Tackley, Gosford, Begbroke, Shipton on Cherwell, Elsfield, Islip, Merton, Enslow, Wendlebury, Thrupp, Weston on the Green, Kirtlington can generally also be covered. If they've got the phone code 01865 and the postcode OX5, it is likely that they hail from Kidlington or somewhere close by. Affirming that this is the case will ensure you are hiring a local fireplace builder.
Help and Guidance
Watch a YouTube video on do-it-yourself fireplace installation here. A whole host of information and facts on fireplace installation is obtainable on any of the fireplace installer forums, so why not head over to one of the fireplace forums, discussion threads include things like widening fireplaces, wood burning stoves, pellet stoves and boilers, trims for stoves, chimney design and building regulations. Have a look at Wikipedia to find more information regarding fireplaces. To read an illuminating article about fireplace decoration ideas click here. To get an idea of how fireplace installation is currently being depicted on social media websites, check this out.
Kidlington Fireplace Related Tasks
There is a variety of work that can be conducted by your local Kidlington fireplace company including fireplace removal, freestanding stoves Kidlington, gas fireplaces, chimney modifications Kidlington, fireplace surrounds in Kidlington, brick fireplace installation, stone fireplace installation, brick fireplaces, wood burning stove installation, multifuel stove installations in Kidlington, fireplace repairs, chimney sweeping in Kidlington, electric fireplace installation, chimney lining, modern fireplace installations Kidlington, chimney strengthening, fireplace suites, fake fireplaces, fireplace replacement Kidlington, Victorian fireplaces in Kidlington, double-sided stove installations Kidlington, fireplace fitting Kidlington, stone fireplaces, marble fireplaces in Kidlington, inset stove installations Kidlington, gas fireplace installation in Kidlington, and more.
Fireplace Installers Near Kidlington
Also find: Weston on the Green fireplace installers, Thrupp fireplace installers, Gosford fireplace installers, Yarnton fireplace installers, Kirtlington fireplace installers, Tackley fireplace installers, Bladon fireplace installers, Begbroke fireplace installers, Islip fireplace installers, Enslow fireplace installers, Nethercott fireplace installers, Wolvercote fireplace installers, Hampton Poyle fireplace installers, Wendlebury fireplace installers, Glympton fireplace installers, Shipton on Cherwell fireplace installers, Elsfield fireplace installers, Bletchingdon fireplace installers, Merton fireplace installers, Cassington fireplace installers and more. People who install fireplaces can be found in all of these localities. With the requisite knowledge and experience, these seasoned tradesmen are adept at adeptly installing fireplaces in your property. The assistance of these dedicated experts allows residents to enjoy the warmth, comfort, and inviting atmosphere of a fireplace in their homes. Local homeowners can get price quotes by going here. Therefore, there's no reason not to get cracking on your fireplace installation straight away!
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