Fireplace Fitter Barrow upon Soar Leicestershire (LE12): The installation of a brand new fireplace, or the renovation of a pre-existing one is an excellent way to add charm and character to any dwelling in Barrow upon Soar. Not only can you delight in the ambience and warmth of an open fire or stove through the chilly winter days, but if you combine a back boiler with your new fireplace, you will also be supplied with plentiful hot water.
Before you begin bashing away at a bricked-up chimney there are a few things you'll need to do to make sure you can safely install your new fireplace. The Part J Building Regulations for heat producing appliances for starters, which deals with any work undertaken on fireplaces, hearths, chimney breasts and flue linings. If your dwelling in Barrow upon Soar is a listed building or is located in a conservation area, planning permission could also be needed before any work can proceed. You should check with your local council about this.
PROFESSIONAL OR DIY FIREPLACE INSTALLATION?
If you have the ability to do so, and are accomplished at do-it-yourself you might be capable of doing some of the remodeling work to an old or existing fireplace, but the help of a tradesperson might be required if safety or structural problems arise during the process. When your boarded up fireplace is revealed you might be lucky and find a decent hearth, lintel and chimney breast that needs little more than a clean by a chimney sweep to get it all working once more. However, what you'll more likely discover is a wall of crumbling bricks that hides problems such as a blocked chimney or a lintel that requires replacement.
It's usually recommended to look to the experience and know-how of a certified fireplace fitter in Barrow upon Soar, because of the severe fire and health risks associated with an improperly fitted or refurbished fireplace. According to the Building Regulations, a room that has a fireplace installed in it must have sufficient airflow and oxygen to allow the fire to burn properly and efficiently. A fire that's burning inefficiently in an inadequately ventilated room can cause a build-up of poisonous carbon monoxide gas.
To allow the fireplace to get adequate oxygen to combust effectively and safely all the time, it might be necessary for a professional fireplace installation crew to install walls and floors with suitable airflow vents. To increase airflow within unused or blocked chimney flues, the fireplace installation technician might have to fit vents to stop moist, condensed air becoming trapped and producing damp areas and stains.
BEFORE WORK BEGINS
Chimneys are notorious for the amount of dust and soot that can accumulate inside them, thus when you go through the process of opening up a disused fireplace you can anticipate that it will be a fairly messy affair. Even with coverings for your home furnishings, the risk of impairment from soot and dust is still likely and it's advisable to remove your furniture, rugs and carpets before any fireplace renovation work and chimney cleaning starts. If you're performing a full renovation of a room or house, the fireplace ought to be opened up before any plastering or decorating is tackled. The reason behind this is to lower the chances of any discolouration damage to any work which has already been done.
CONSTRUCTION AND STRUCTURAL WORK
Now that you're able to see the fireplace opening it's time to sweep and clean the hearth and chimney and work out what is fit for refurbishment. You now ought to get hold of your chimney sweep, if you haven't already done this, to come and look at the old chimney and fireplace. After cleaning and sweeping, they'll offer specialist advice on what sort of condition the flue and chimney structure is in, and tell you whether there are parts that need to be repaired.
Following a chimney sweeps assessment it may be necessary to install a new liner and/or strengthen the chimney breast in accordance with Part J of the UK Building Regulations. Experience in the right construction practices and an extensive knowledge of the Building Regs will be essential for anybody who tackles this sort of work, so what you really need is a qualified builder or fireplace installer and should never try to do it on your own.
In buildings that are older you may find the existing fireplace is too big for your purposes, which will mean that a steel or concrete lintel will be necessary to modify the opening. Once your new concrete lintel is safely in place you can now proceed with the renovation, upgrade and installation of the fireplace's hearth. Many fireplace hearths were set into voids in the floor in past days. If that is the situation with your hearth it will have to be raised slightly above floor level if it is to meet the Building Regulations as they stand. You could ask your Barrow upon Soar fireplace builder about a bespoke, custom-made hearth that will fit in with your property's design and style, or if you have a standard sized fireplace, you can choose from a wide variety of ready-made options in marble, granite and slate.
DESIGNS AND STYLES OF FIREPLACE
You will soon realise that you are spoiled for choice in relation to fireplaces, with the wide range of choices that are available to you, when you step inside a high quality fireplace showroom. The advice and suggestions from your sales and installation team, which will be based on your specific requirements, will help you to pick a fireplace that is both suited to your chimney and flue, as well as for your decor.
A multi-fuel stove or a wood burner may be appropriate for some rooms and homes in Barrow upon Soar, while an open fireplace will be more suitable for others. For instance, a wood burning stove looks great set into an old-fashioned inglenook fireplace, highlighting the charm and character of the stove and reflecting the heat back into the room effectively.
A wood-burning stove is also a splendid choice if you don't have a chimney breast in your Barrow upon Soar property. Your fireplace technician can take a flue straight from the rear or top of the wood burner and out through an exterior wall, therefore an existing chimney is not required.
OPEN, GAS, MULTI-FUEL, WOOD OR ELECTRIC FIREPLACE?
If your situation doesn't allow for the installation of a natural fireplace, what are the possible options?
Multi-Fuel Stoves - To create an attractive focal point in your living space, these stoves can burn a selection of fuels, such as wood, oil, gas or smokeless coal. Some designs, like the AGA range of multi-fuel stoves, are also suitable for generating hot water, cooking and heating your entire home.
Electric Fireplaces - A wide variety of electric fireplaces to complement any home in Barrow upon Soar, can easily be fitted by any competent person. When inset into a traditional fireplace, modern electric fires can imitate a genuine fire, with "real" looking flame effects and even the sound of crackling wood.
Wood Burning Stoves - Even the tiniest room in Barrow upon Soar can be improved by the installation of a wood burner, which can be found in an array of styles, and can even be installed as a free standing feature. A model with an integrated back boiler can provide supplementary heating capabilities by connecting the heated water to a radiator in a cold spot of your property.
Gas Fireplaces - Their efficiency to warm up a space is better than multi-fuel stoves or wood burners, and there countless styles to complement all types of home in Barrow upon Soar. The installation and maintenance of gas fireplaces should only be carried out by a Gas Safe authorised tradesman in Barrow upon Soar.
Open Fireplaces - The classic fireplace which can make use of various fuels such as wood, coal, briquettes and other combustible products. In the bad old days an open fire might have had the associations with being smoky, inefficient and draughty, but a professionally installed fireplace is a delight to the eye whilst basking in the warmth it provides.
The Best Way To Retain Your Fireplace And Lower Your Heating Bills
With concerns over the environment, the iconic fireplace has lost some of its appeal, but it is still a favourite with many householders in Barrow upon Soar. Sitting near the heat of a fireplace, brings back many precious memories for lots of people. The fireplace provides a lot of benefits for your home, but there are also several major downsides that might need to be addressed. With the cost of energy increasing each year, your fireplace needs to emit heat in a very cost-effective way. When a fire is burning, it might give warmth to those who are standing close to it, but it can in fact pull warm air out of your room, making your heat source work even harder. Anytime there is no fire, a damper should regulate the airflow. Often times though, fireplace dampers are renowned for being inefficient in keeping cold air out, and warm air in.
What many people in Barrow upon Soar tend not to know about their fireplace is that it does not necessarily do precisely what they believe it's doing. Instead of managing the heating of a residence naturally, a fireplace can actually add 100s of pounds to your heating bills. Just consider that it's not all gloom and doom as there are options for making your fireplace very cost-effective. There happen to be four simple steps that you can take to make your fireplace into the cost-effective heat sourse you're searching for. These definitely will make your current fireplace far more economical, and reduce your energy bills.
The first step is to take out your fireplace damper and swap it for a new top sealing damper. This type of damper is mounted at the top end of the chimney, and works like a storm door. It does an excellent job of preserving warm air in the house during winter months and cool air from getting out in the warmer months. It does not take lots of time to fit and you can order one online. Next, you should fit a fire-back at the back part of your fireplace. It is made of cast iron and it is used to improve the appearance of your fireplace while shielding the back wall from heat damage. The fire-back also takes up heat coming from the fire and redirects it back inside, making your fireplace more effective.
Another thing that is going to help is a fireplace heater, which heats the room air that's being circulated through a chamber, and blows it back inside the room. These heaters don't release any smoke and should be extremely successful in keeping your home warm. Last but not least, it is possible to install glass doors which could be the most expensive. Browsing around, you will be able to locate a bargain, and with clear instructions, you could possibly put them in on your own. Such glass doors create a barrier between your living space and the chimney, not only stopping the air in the room from escaping up the chimney, but also providing protection to the inhabitants.
The suggestions presented here are not all that difficult to do and you should be able to purchase all of the items you need from the internet. Simply do your very best to ensure your fireplace is efficient and notice your heating bills go down.
Stone Fireplaces Barrow upon Soar
You could always think about bringing the outside in, and build a fireplace out of natural stone, which is a great way to create a truly spectacular look. Maybe your property already has some natural exterior features, a boundary wall or stone facade for example. Why not complement those natural features on the inside of your home?
A stone fireplace can be built using either full-depth stone or stone cladding. Your budget and taste might determine which of these you choose. Also, granite, marble, limestone, quartz, slate or sandstone can be used for building a natural stone fireplace.
Exactly how your stone fireplace looks when it's completed will depend on the methodology used by the stonemason or craftsman who builds it, the type of stone used and the method of building. Get some photographs and go over these with your fireplace builder before they start, if you've got a good idea of exactly what you want.
Because it has such a striking presence and can dominate the appearance of a room, stone is not always suitable for a modern home. But, dramatic could be exactly what you have in mind - and at the end of the day, the choice is down to you!
Chimney Repair Barrow upon Soar
Both commercial and residential chimney systems in Barrow upon Soar should be regularly repaired to maintain their functionality, efficiency and safety. The deterioration of chimneys over time is caused by a combination of temperature fluctuations, weather elements, and the by-products of combustion. These factors can cause a number of issues that require the attention of an experienced professional as soon as possible.
Cracks in the chimney structure can be a common problem that requires chimney repair. The structural integrity of the chimney can be compromised by these cracks, which can increase the risk of moisture infiltration and even more damage. In addition, serious health hazards to any occupants of the building can be caused by the escape of harmful gases, including carbon monoxide, from cracks in the chimney. (13096)
Fireplace Installers Near Barrow upon Soar
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Barrow upon Soar Fireplace Related Tasks
Your local Barrow upon Soar fireplace installer can provide a whole range of tasks, and in addition to what has already been covered they should be able to do cheap fireplaces, fireplace services, electric fireplaces, fireplace fitting Barrow upon Soar, limestone fireplace installation, inset stoves, tiled fireplaces Barrow upon Soar, hearth fireplaces, wood burning stove installation, Regency fireplace installation, open fireplaces, 2-sided fireplaces in Barrow upon Soar, double-sided stove installations, fireplace replacement Barrow upon Soar, marble fireplaces, Victorian fireplace installations, fireplace design, fake fireplaces, chimney modifications, chimney strengthening, stone fireplaces, Regency fireplaces Barrow upon Soar, fireplaceestimates in Barrow upon Soar, chimney sweeping, modern fireplace, oak beam fireplaces, the installation of chimney cowls in Barrow upon Soar, elm fireplaces Barrow upon Soar, cast fireplace installation, fireplaces, fireplace installation Barrow upon Soar, fireplace cleaning, electric fireplace installation, cast iron fireplaces, contemporary fireplaces Barrow upon Soar, to mention a few.
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