Fireplace Fitter Axbridge Somerset (BS26): A splendid way to add some character to any Axbridge property is by installing a new fireplace, or renovating an existing one. Providing that you've got a good source of wood or fuel, the addition of an open fire or wood burning stove for those freezing winters' days can even prove to be more cost effective than a traditional central heating system. Combine your fireplace with a back boiler and you'll be able to enjoy constant supplies of hot water for even more savings.
There are some vital considerations you must bear in mind if you are to wind up with a safe and efficient fireplace, before you commence bashing down the walls of a boarded over fireplace. Any work that is carried out on your flue lining, fireplace, chimney breast and hearth must comply with the UK building regulations, Part J for heating appliances. If your house in Axbridge is a listed building or is within a conservation area, planning permission might also be necessary before work can proceed.
PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION OR DIY?
A simple remodeling of an existing fireplace can generally be executed by a competent DIYer, but if any building work is needed there's a possibility of encountering structural problems which have to be addressed professionally. When you reveal the old fireplace, you could be lucky and find that to get a fire roaring once more, it needs little more than a decent clean up of the hearth and a sweep of the chimney. What is more common however is an area of old, crumbling brickwork that conceals a stopped up flue, and also requires some degree of structural modification before it can be used safely.
It is generally best to look to the experience and know-how of a certified fireplace installer in Axbridge, due to the severe health and fire risks associated with an incorrectly installed or renovated fireplace. Making certain that enough oxygen is available for the fire to burn satisfactorily is a key part of the Building Regulations (Part J) for fireplaces. Insufficient oxygen means that the fire won't burn properly, and an accumulation of carbon monoxide could occur, which can lead to injury or death.
To successfully overcome any airflow issues, vents may need to be fitted in the room as part of a fireplace installation, to guarantee suitable levels of oxygen reach the fire. They may also have to fit vents into unused chimney flues which sometimes trap moist air and lead to staining and damp spots on your chimney breast.
BEFORE WORK COMMENCES
It is astonishing how much dirt and soot can build up inside an old chimney and you won't know what's there until you open it up. It is wise to remove any furniture, carpets and rugs from a room where you are going to expose an old fireplace, to prevent them being damaged by grime, dust and soot that may be whipped up during the fireplace installation and chimney cleaning works. If it's merely part of a larger home renovation project, opening up a disused fireplace should be one of the initial tasks that you tackle, due to the mess involved. This should limit damage to other stages of your refurbishment project (i.e. plaster or freshly painted walls), by soot and dirt that's discharged.
STRUCTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION WORK
Now that you're able to see the opening of your fireplace it's time to sweep and clean the chimney and hearth and figure out what is fit for restoring. You now need to get in touch with your chimney sweep, if you've not already done so, to come and clean the old fireplace and chimney. A chimney sweep will first of all clean the flue and while doing so will be able to inspect the structural condition of the chimney and offer you guidance on whether you need a new flue liner.
After an evaluation by an experienced Axbridge chimney sweep, and in compliance with the Building Regulations (Part J), work to strengthen the chimney breast and/or install a new liner may be required. A reliable fireplace installer and builder in Axbridge will be needed to perform this work, and will need the skills and knowledge of construction to closely follow all building regulations.
If your house is quite old a concrete lintel might be needed to modify the size of the opening, if you find that the exposed fireplace is too large. As soon as this is complete the next step of your Axbridge fireplace installation will be to update the hearth. If the existing hearth is set into the floor you'll need to raise it above floor level to conform to the current Building Regulations in the UK. You will find that there's a whole host of ready to fit hearths in concrete, granite or marble, but if you have a non-standard sized fireplace you may have to opt for a custom-built hearth, which you could ask your Axbridge fireplace builder about.
STYLES AND DESIGNS OF FIREPLACE
If you pay a visit to a fireplace dealership you are spoilt for choice with the array of different choices available to you. To enable you to pick a fireplace that goes with your home's decor, and is also appropriate for your flue and chimney, it's advised that you listen to the recommendations of the salespeople and the installers.
Whether you decide on an open fireplace, a multi-fuel stove or a wood burner will hinge on the overall style that you're attempting to establish, your existing decor and perhaps, the age of your house in Axbridge. A classic iron wood-burner stove for example, will look awesome when placed in an inglenook fireplace, which deflects any heat that's generated back into the room and highlights its charm and beauty.
A cast iron wood burner is also an excellent option if you haven't got a chimney breast in your Axbridge property. Provided that you've got an exterior wall through which a stainless steel flue from the top or back of the stove can be channeled, you do not need a chimney structure in place to enjoy a "real" fire.
GAS, OPEN, ELECTRIC, MULTI-FUEL OR WOOD FIREPLACE?
If your circumstances don't allow for a natural fireplace to be installed, what are all the possible options?
Electric Fireplaces - A wide selection of electric fireplaces to suit pretty much any property in Axbridge, can be easily fitted by any reasonable competent individual. Contemporary electric fires can deliver "real" looking flame effects and even the crackling sound of wood to replicate an open fire when set into into an old fashioned fireplace.
Gas Fireplaces - Gas fireplaces are better than multi-fuel stoves or wood burners with regards to their thermal efficiency, and you can find an assortment of styles and sizes to suit any property in Axbridge. You'll need an approved Gas Safe heating engineer to fit one these fireplaces in your property in Axbridge.
Multi-Fuel Stoves - As the name indicates multi-fuel stoves can be fired up with with different fuels, such as oil, wood, gas or coal, and become a unique focal point in any living room or kitchen in Axbridge. Some types, such as the AGA range of multi-fuel stoves, can also be used for cooking, providing hot water and heating your whole home.
Wood Burning Stoves - These have become "the in thing" in many homes in Axbridge, and can have modern or classic styling to match your home's decor. When used in tandem with a back boiler, these types of stoves can supply extra heating possibilities by connecting the hot water to colder areas of your home by means of a radiator.
Open Fireplaces - The traditional fireplace that can make use of various fuels such as wood, briquettes, smokeless coal and other burnable products. An open fire is lovely to see and contemporary fireplaces are no longer the inefficient, draughty and smoky items they were in the past.
Chimney Sweeping Axbridge
The regular sweeping of your chimney is vital if you've got an open fire or a wood burning stove in your house in Axbridge. At least once each year is the recommendation for chimney sweeping.
It's invariably better to call in a qualified Axbridge chimney sweep if you want to get this done properly. Not only does this mean that you chimney is kept clean, the chimney sweep will also be in a position to spot any issues with you chimney.
If you don't regularly sweep your chimney in Axbridge, the resulting accumulation of ash, soot and wood tar can quite easily lead to a chimney fire. Apart from fires there are other dangerous situations that can be caused by a blocked chimney, one example is that of toxic carbon monoxide fumes being drawn back into your home.
The importance of hiring a reliable chimney sweep in Axbridge, should now be apparent. CLICK HERE and enter your details to get Axbridge chimney sweep quotes. chimney sweeps are also available in Churchill, Brinscombe, Locking, Shipham, Cross, Badgeworth, Cocklake,, Draycott, Banwell, Compton Bishop, Sandford, Weare, Crickham, and in Axbridge, Somerset.
Brick Fireplaces
Brick fireplaces have been a favourite feature in buildings for hundreds of years, and rightly so. They not only provide warmth and comfort during the winter months but also add a classic touch to any room they are in. There are some points that you will need to consider, if you are thinking about installing a brick fireplace in your house in Axbridge
Firstly, you'll need to choose the type of fireplace you prefer. Standard brick fireplaces normally feature a basic design with a hearth and mantel. However, you could also decide on a more modern design with clean lines and a sleek finish.
Brick fireplaces can be built with a range of different sorts of brick, each with its own unique texture and colour. You'll want to go for a brick that fits in with the style of your property and matches the overall aesthetic you are trying to create.
Lastly, don't forget about the practical considerations. A brick fireplace can be an excellent way to heat your property, so you will want to make sure that it is properly vented and that you're using it safely.
A brick fireplace can be an attractive and functional feature in your home in Axbridge. With a bit of attention to detail and planning, you can construct a centrepiece that not only provides warmth but also adds charm and character to your home.
Fireplace Installers Near Axbridge
Also find: Compton Bishop fireplace installers, fireplace installers, Badgeworth fireplace installers, Brinscombe fireplace installers, Weare fireplace installers, Locking fireplace installers, Crickham fireplace installers, Churchill fireplace installers, Cocklake fireplace installers, Banwell fireplace installers, Sandford fireplace installers, Draycott fireplace installers, Cross fireplace installers, Shipham fireplace installers and more.
Axbridge Fireplace Related Tasks
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