Fireplace Fitter Berkeley Gloucestershire (GL13): Re-opening up an unused fireplace or having a new one installed is a splendid way to add character to any room of your property in Berkeley. Adding an open fire or multi-fuel stove for those frosty winters' days can even be cheaper than some central heating systems, as long as you have a good source of wood or fuel. If combined with a back boiler it can provide you with plentiful piping hot water in the process.
There are some important things you'll have to do to ensure you can install your new fireplace in an efficient and safe way, before you begin prising away at a blocked up chimney breast. Work that's carried out on the hearths, flue linings, chimney breasts and fireplaces of any combustible appliances, must comply with Part J of the Building Regulations. You will also need to check with the local council if planning permission is necessary before any work is started, if you live in a listed building or a conservation area in Berkeley.
PROFESSIONAL OR DIY FIREPLACE INSTALLATION?
If any construction work is necessary in your fireplace installation, structural and safety issues may arise that have to be resolved by a specialist, although a skilled DIY-er may be able to take a shot at a straightforward remodel of a pre-existing fireplace. When you uncover the old fireplace, you may be lucky and find that in order to get a fire roaring once again, it needs nothing more than a good chimney sweep and a quick clean out of the hearth. However, a blocked flue and crumbling brickwork that needs to be structurally reinforced is what you're more likely to find.
If fireplaces are installed improperly there is not just a risk of fire to your property, but there can be health hazards, which is why it is best to employ a competent Berkeley installation company for a fireplace. So a fire can burn satisfactorily in a room where a fireplace is installed, there should be enough airflow to create sufficient amounts of oxygen. Deadly carbon monoxide can soon develop from a fire burning inefficiently in an inadequately ventilated space.
To enable the fire to receive sufficient oxygen to burn effectively and safely all the time, it might be a requirement for a competent fireplace installation crew to install airflow vents in floor and walls. Flue vents might also need to be installed in unused chimney flues which sometimes cause damp areas and staining to to the chimney breast, because of condensed air being trapped.
BEFORE WORK BEGINS
When you are re-opening an unused fireplace for a renovation project, you may be amazed at the magnitude of the soot and dust that has piled up there. So that any furniture, carpets and rugs inside an area do not get adversely affected by the dirt and soot that is released during works by a fireplace installer, it is sensible to remove them in advance. Due to the mess that is involved, if your fireplace installation is only a part of a more substantial renovation project, it should be one of the first things to be done. This will limit damage to other stages of your refurbishment project (i.e. fresh plasterwork or newly painted walls), by dirt and chimney soot that's released.
STRUCTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION WORK
You will have a greater understanding of the refurbishment work that needs to be done, as soon as the opening up of the old fireplace is completed. You will also be able to get the chimney swept and clean any of the hearth that has survived. Contacting a chimney sweep to de-soot your chimney is one of the initial items on your checklist. During the process of sweeping and cleaning, they will be perfectly positioned to evaluate the structural stability of your flue liner and chimney, and suggest what is required to knock it back into shape.
If you need to install a new flue liner or strengthen the chimney all relevant Building Regulations must be followed. This work must be done by a competent tradesman with experience of the relevant Building Regs and good construction practices.
In an older building a concrete or steel lintel might be needed to modify the opening, if you find that the uncovered fireplace is too big for your planned design. Once your lintel is safely in place you may now get on with the updating, installation and renovation of the fireplace's hearth. In the past the hearth was set into the floor, however the latest Building Regulations for the UK demand that it is raised slightly above floor level. To accomplish this, there are ready to fit options in marble, granite or slate, or perhaps you prefer a tailor-made, bespoke hearth to complement the design and style of your room, which your Berkeley fireplace builder will be happy to help you with.
STYLE OF FIREPLACE
Browsing on the internet or checking out the nearest fireplace outlet will swiftly make you realise that there is a whole host of different designs and styles of fireplace for you to choose from. The advice and suggestions from your installation team, which will be specific to your requirements, will enable you to pick a fireplace that's both suitable for your existing flue and chimney, as well as for your home's decor.
A wood burning or multi-fuel stove might be perfect for some rooms and homes in Berkeley, whilst an open fireplace will be more suitable for others. For instance, a cast iron wood burner looks fantastic set back in an old-fashioned inglenook fireplace, highlighting the character and charm of the stove and deflecting any heat that's produced back into the room to good effect.
Even if you don't have an existing chimney breast in your Berkeley property, it's still possible to put in a wood burner stove. Since a stainless steel flue can be channeled through an exterior wall and has no need of a chimney, it is still viable to put in this type of fireplace.
MULTI-FUEL, OPEN, ELECTRIC, WOOD OR GAS FIREPLACE?
If your situation doesn't allow for the installation of a natural fireplace, what are all the possible alternatives?
Open Fireplaces - This sort of fireplace can be used with an array of solid fuels, and creates a good focal point for your living area. Being a far cry from the smoky fireplaces of yesteryear, a modern, expertly fitted open fire provides a warm, toasty environment in any Berkeley home.
Multi-Fuel Stoves - Provides you with the option of burning wood, gas, oil and coal to deliver a versatile stove for any home in Berkeley. They can be used not only for heating a room, but some types like the AGA collection, can supply hot water, provide a useful cooking area and can be used to heat the whole property if they are plumbed into an existing radiator system.
Wood Burning Stoves - Wood burning stoves have become "the in thing" in a lot of households in Berkeley, and can have modern or classic design to match your decor. If combined with a back boiler these are able to provide steaming hot water to heat radiators or for use in your home.
Gas Fireplaces - Providing instant heat and being more efficient when compared to wood burners, there are a multitude of designs to suit any Berkeley property. Only Gas Safe technicians are qualified to install these fires.
Electric Fireplaces - A wide variety of electric fires to complement pretty much any house in Berkeley, can be easily fitted by any competent individual. When set into a traditional fireplace, contemporary electric fires can imitate an actual fire, with "real" looking flame effects and even the sound of crackling wood.
It's not only in Berkeley itself that you can access fireplace fitters - neighbouring areas like: Abwell, Ham, Blackhall, Breadstone, Gossington, Wanswell, Old Brookend, Bevington, Halmore, Slimbridge, Brookend, Hamfields, Haines, Sharpness, Shepperdine, Berkeley Heath are also covered. If a fireplace service has the postcode GL13 and the telephone dialling code 01453, you can assume that they operate in the Berkeley area. This is one thing to check if you favour hiring a local fireplace builder. Clicking on the "QUOTE" banner will allow you to get fireplaces details for your area.
Improve the Efficiency of Your Fireplace
The classic open fireplace seems to have lost some of its glamour due to environmental concerns but it is still favoured by many folks in Berkeley. The natural ambiance of a fireplace stimulates special memories for those who've got them. Having an open fireplace has its many perks and benefits but there are several downsides which could affect its performance. With the cost of energy soaring annually, your fireplace needs to give out heat in a very cost-effective way. When a fire is burning, it may give warmth to people standing around it, but it can actually pull warm air out of the room, making your heater work even harder. Anytime there's no fire, a damper is supposed to regulate the airflow. Unfortunately, dampers often have an inefficient seal, so cool air can get in, and warmer air passes out.
Many families that currently have fireplaces in their residence in Berkeley do not realise how the fireplace can have an effect on their utility bill. Rather than keeping the cost of heating down, it may actually do the exact opposite if one is not careful. There's a simple way to take your less than efficient fireplace, and remake it into a heat generating system that your budget will love. There are four simple things that you will be able to do to turn your fireplace into the cost-effective heat sourse you are searching for. You will see that these guidelines will help to make your fireplace create quality heat and your present heating bill smaller.
The first suggestion is to swap your current fireplace damper with a new top sealing damper. A top sealing damper is set up right at the top of your chimney which also doubles as a storm door. It does an excellent job of preserving warm air in the house during winter and cool air from getting out in the summer months. It's not that hard to put in and can be easily purchased online. An additional thing that you can do is to fit a fire-back at the rear of your fireplace. This is a cast iron plate which is created to enhance the room interior decoration, while shielding the back wall from damage due to the fires. The fire-back gets warmed up by the open fire and sends the heat back into the room, thus enhancing the overall efficiency of the fireplace.
Another way to save money is by using a fireplace heater, which heats the room by pulling the air into a chamber and returning the air back into the room. These heating units are closed systems, so no smoke is discharged, and they really can make a difference in the temperature of your house. The fourth thing that you can do is to fix glass doors, which might be your biggest expense. If you do some groundwork, you should be able to get a great deal on glass doors and they aren't that challenging to put in yourself. These doors help to keep the heat from escaping and additionally it keeps children and pets from getting burned.
Every one of these ideas are simple to implement, and the required products can be easily sourced online. Retain your current fireplace and decrease heating bills by increasing it's efficiency.
Chimney Cowls Berkeley
To add draft and stop backflow, a chimney cowl is a hood-shaped covering for your chimney. It's normally produced from galvanized iron and sits on top of the chimney pot to keep the wind from blowing smoke back down. Chimney cowls can be bought in a builder's merchants or online. A cowl will keep your fireplace or stove working properly, whether you opt to purchase a new one or make an existing one work better.
A chimney cowl can also help to shield your house and keep you secure. There are numerous sorts of chimney cowls on the market, each has been developed to address different scenarios. Before you buy one, consider a few factors to make sure you get one that will help protect your house. Once you know what you need, you can then choose a chimney cowl to suit your budget and needs.
One of the most common forms of chimney cowls is the H-style. This design is the most effective at controlling the draught and enables your fireplace to perform more efficiently. It's made out of a series of H-shaped pipes that isolate the combustion gases from down draughts. It was originally created for marine applications, but has become popular among homeowners due to its energy-saving functionality.
Another type is the Aerodyne cowl. It works by drawing air into the chimney cowl and lowering downdraught. These are available in a variety of colours. Its venturi shape draws air into the chimney cowl, creating a drop in air pressure that draws air upward from the fireplace or stove.
Chimney cowls are a quick way to stop birds nesting in your chimney in Berkeley. They are inexpensive and simple to put in. You should ensure you have easy access to the area above the chimney in order to install one. It can also stop debris from accumulating inside your chimney.
Chimney Sweep
If you have a wood burner or an open fire in your house, it is important to get your chimney swept regularly. To be fully safe, it's wise to clean and sweep your chimney once or twice a year, especially if you're burning coal or wood.
So as to get this done correctly you should always call in a specialist Berkeley chimney sweep. In addition to cleaning your chimney, the chimney sweep will be in a position to identify any problems that exist with your chimney, so that these can be addressed quickly.
If you do not regularly sweep your chimney in Berkeley, the resulting accumulation of ash, soot and creosote can quite easily lead to a chimney fire. Apart from the risk of fires there are other dangerous situations that can be caused by a badly maintained chimney, one example is that of carbon monoxide fumes flowing back into your property.
The importance of employing a dependable chimney sweep in Berkeley, should now be clear. You can GO HERE for chimney sweeping prices in Berkeley. You can also access chimney sweeps in nearby towns, villages and locations.
Stone Fireplaces Berkeley
You could always consider bringing the outdoors inside, and build a natural stone fireplace, which is a wonderful way to create a really dramatic look. It could be that you've already got a stone feature on your home's exterior, for example a boundary wall or stone facade. This may be a way to coordinate those natural features on the inside.
A stone fireplace can be created using either full-depth stone or stone cladding. Your taste and budget could determine which one you choose. You will also need to choose what sort of stone you would prefer for your new fireplace, pick from: sandstone, quartz, marble, granite, limestone or slate.
Precisely how your new fireplace looks, will be affected by the building technique, the kind of stone that is used and the individuality of the tradesman or stonemason who builds it. You should get some photos prepared of the type of design you're interested in, and before work begins, you can discuss them with your fireplace company.
There is little doubt that stone fireplaces are generally more suited to older properties, and can be somewhat too striking and dominant for the modern home. But the choice, as they say, is yours.
Chimney Repair Berkeley
Chimney repair is necessary for maintaining the functionality, safety and efficiency of both residential and commercial chimney systems in Berkeley. The by-products of combustion, weather elements, and temperature fluctuations can all contribute to the deterioration of chimneys with the passage of time. The range of issues that require expert and timely attention can be caused by these factors.
One of the common problems that require chimney repair is the development of cracks in the chimney structure. The risk of moisture ingress and additional damage can be increased by such cracks, which undermine the structural integrity of the chimney. Additionally, cracks can allow the escape of harmful gases, including carbon monoxide, into the living spaces, posing serious health hazards to occupants.
Another issue that's often encountered is the buildup of debris and creosote within the chimney flue. Aside from reducing the chimney's efficiency, such accumulations can also increase the risk of fires in the chimney. To reduce fire hazards and ensure proper airflow, debris, soot and creosote should be removed during routine chimney cleaning as part of the repair procedure. (88224 - Chimney Repairs Berkeley)
More Berkeley Tradespeople: Of course, when you are doing home improvements in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, you will likely need all types of different tradesmen and apart from fireplace specialists in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, you may also need waste removal in Berkeley, a chimney sweep in Berkeley, a cleaner in Berkeley, an electrician in Berkeley, a stonemason in Berkeley, SKIP HIRE in Berkeley, a building contractor in Berkeley, a painter and decorator in Berkeley, a plasterer in Berkeley, a tiler in Berkeley, power washing in Berkeley, a carpenter/joiner in Berkeley, a roofer in Berkeley, a plumber in Berkeley, a bricklayer in Berkeley, a handyman in Berkeley, brick cleaning in Berkeley, a blacksmith in Berkeley, and several other different Berkeley tradesmen.
Berkeley Fireplace Related Tasks
There is a variety of work that can be carried out by your local Berkeley fireplace fitter including freestanding stoves Berkeley, fireplace services, 3-sided fireplaces, outdoor fireplaces Berkeley, open fireplaces, stone fireplaces, fireplace packages, fireplace suites in Berkeley, fireplace replacement, fireplaces in Berkeley, chimney cowl installation, limestone fireplace installation Berkeley, tiled fireplaces Berkeley, fire grate conversions, fireplace inserts, marble fireplace installation, inset stove installations Berkeley, gas fireplaces in Berkeley, reclaimed fireplaces Berkeley, fireplace hearths, oak beam fireplaces, fireplace design, cheap fireplace installation Berkeley, marble fireplace surrounds, modern fireplace installation, fireplace installation in Berkeley, traditional fireplaces Berkeley, carbon monoxide detector installation, electric fireplace installation, flue lining, elm fireplaces Berkeley, marble fireplaces, fireplacequotes Berkeley, fake fireplaces Berkeley, wood burning fireplaces, and more. This is not in any way a comprehensive list of what's available from the local fireplace fitter. Berkeley specialists providing these types of fireplace services, will provide a full list when asked.
Fireplace Installers Near Berkeley
Also find: Shepperdine fireplace installers, Haines fireplace installers, Gossington fireplace installers, Wanswell fireplace installers, Breadstone fireplace installers, Bevington fireplace installers, Old Brookend fireplace installers, Slimbridge fireplace installers, Blackhall fireplace installers, Berkeley Heath fireplace installers, Abwell fireplace installers, Hamfields fireplace installers, Halmore fireplace installers, Ham fireplace installers, Brookend fireplace installers, Sharpness fireplace installers and more. Fireplace installers are available to serve those living in the majority of these villages and towns. These seasoned tradesmen's knowledge and experience make them well-suited for the successful installation of fireplaces in your home. Residents, with the help of these committed experts, can experience the atmosphere, comfort and warmth a fireplace adds to their homes. Local home and property owners can obtain fireplace installation estimates by going here. Would your property benefit from the installation of a new fireplaces? Get a quote today!
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