Fireplace Fitter Biggin Hill Kent (TN16): If you're sick and tired of high energy prices and want to find an alternative solution for heating your house in Biggin Hill, why not open up a disused fireplace and install an economical wood burning, multi-fuel or open fire? If you decide to add a back boiler to your brand new fireplace, not only can you delight in the ambience and warmth of an open fire on those nippy winter evenings, you'll also be supplied with a plentiful supply of piping hot water.
However before you start knocking down the walls of a boarded over fireplace there are some essential things to consider if you are to wind up with a safe and efficient fireplace. The UK building regulations, Part J for heating appliances for starters, which applies to any work done on chimney breasts, fireplaces, flue linings and hearths.
DIY OR PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION?
If any construction work is necessary in your fireplace installation project, both structural and safety issues could arise that will need resolving by a professional tradesman, although a competent and keen DIY'er may be able to tackle a simple refurbishment of an existing fireplace. It could be that so as to get a fire burning in your fireplace once again you'll need little more than a good clean up of the hearth and a sweeping of the chimney. It is a lot more likely however, that you will find a blocked flue and an area of old brickwork that will need structural reinforcement to ensure that it's safe.
Hiring a professional fireplace fitter in Biggin Hill is normally recommended, since a fireplace that is improperly installed can cause serious risk of fire and respiratory problems. Making sure that sufficient oxygen is available for a fire to burn efficiently is a key part of the Building Regulations for fireplaces. A fire will not burn well in a room where there is not enough oxygen, and death or serious injury can occur if there is a build-up of carbon monoxide fumes.
To successfully overcome any problems with air flow, vents may be installed around the room during a fireplace installation, to ensure suitable levels of oxygen reach the fireplace. To enhance the circulation of air inside unused or blocked chimney flues, your fireplace installation team might also need to install some vents to prevent condensed air becoming trapped and producing damp spots and staining.
BEFORE WORK STARTS
When re-opening a fireplace for a renovation project, you'll be astonished at the magnitude of the soot and dirt that has accumulated there. Where feasible it is a good idea to remove any carpets and furniture from the area before any work commences, although a considerate Biggin Hill fireplace installer will bring dust sheets for your furniture and provide a certain level of protection. If you are conducting a complete restoration of a house or room, the fireplace ought to be opened up and worked on before any plastering or decorating is dealt with. By opening a fireplace first you'll avoid any chimney soot causing staining damage to other stages of your project, such as fresh plaster or wallpapered walls.
STRUCTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION WORK
The time will come to clean and sweep the chimney and hearth and determine what is fit for restoring, as soon as the fireplace has been opened up. The first job on your checklist will be to call in a proper Biggin Hill chimney sweep. In addition to cleaning the flue and chimney, they will also assess the condition of the flue liner and chimney and tell you about any aspect of the chimney structure and flue that needs to be replaced.
It might be necessary to fit a new flue liner to comply with the current UK Building Regulations, and work may also be needed to reinforce the original chimney and chimney breast. Experience in good construction practices and a knowledge of the Building Regulations will be required by anyone who undertakes this sort of work, so you really need a skilled builder and should never attempt to do it yourself.
If the dimensions of the existing fireplace are larger than your needs, a concrete supporting lintel should be installed. When your new lintel is safely in position you can now press on with the installation, repair and updating of the fireplace hearth. In the old days the hearth was usually sunken into the floor, but the latest building regs demand that it's raised above floor level. Pre-made options from marble, slate or concrete are available on the market to achieve this, or your fireplace builder in Biggin Hill may be able to offer a bespoke, custom-made hearth to match your room style.
STYLES OF FIREPLACE
A quick browse online or a trip to a fireplace showroom will demonstrate the choices available for the different fireplace styles and designs. It is possible that because of your current chimney and flue, that certain fireplaces may not be suitable, therefore it's a good idea to follow the advice of the fireplace installer with respect to this.
Whether you go for a wood burner, an open fireplace or a multi-fuel stove will be determined by the all round style you are trying to develop, your current decor and perhaps even, your home's age. If you have an inglenook fireplace, a wood burning stove can look stunning in this surrounding, and has the added benefit of effectively reflecting heat into the room from the stone or brick walls that surround the stove.
A wood-burning stove is also a good choice if you do not have a chimney breast in your Biggin Hill property. As long as you have an external wall through which a flue from the back or top of the stove can be passed, you don't need to have a pre-existing chimney structure to be able to enjoy that "real" fire experience.
OPEN, GAS, MULTI-FUEL, ELECTRIC OR WOOD FIREPLACE?
A flickering fire on a cold evening creates a charm and ambience that can't be beaten, but what other options are available to put into in your new fireplace in Biggin Hill?
Gas Fireplaces - Gas fireplaces come in an assortment of designs to suit any home and are more efficient (thermally) than open fireplaces. A Gas Safe registered engineer must fit and maintain any gas fire in your home.
Wood Burning Stoves - Even the tiniest room in Biggin Hill can be improved by the installation of a wood burner, which are available in a variety of styles, and can even be fitted free standing. 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.
Multi-Fuel Stoves - Can be used with a range of fuels, (gas, coal, oil, wood) to establish a unique focal point in your house in Biggin Hill. The AGA range is well known as being capable of providing heating for an entire house, a constant supply of hot water and a cooker all in one unit.
Electric Fireplaces - A wide selection of electric fireplaces to complement pretty much any property in Biggin Hill, can be easily fitted by anybody who's reasonable competent. Modern electric fires can provide real look flames and even the sound of crackling wood to imitate an open fire when inset into a traditional fireplace.
Open Fireplaces - A roaring fire is a focal point for any room in your home and it has the capability to burn virtually any solid fuel available on the market. An open fire is a delight to the eye and modern fireplaces are no longer the inefficient, smoky and draughty objects that they used to be.
Fireplace installation work can be undertaken in Biggin Hill and also in nearby places like: Brasted, Green Street Green, Sundridge, Dunton Green, Knockholt, Downe, Woldingham, Tatsfield, Keston, Shoreham, together with these postcodes TN16 3NZ, TN16 2JT, TN16 3DF, TN16 3NX, TN16 1WH, TN16 3DB, TN16 3QU, TN16 3BU, TN16 3DA, and TN16 2NW. It's likely that any fireplace installers from the Biggin Hill district is going to have the dialling code 01959 and the postcode TN16. Verifying that this is so will make certain that you're dealing with a local fireplace specialist. Biggin Hill property owners can access these fireplace services anytime necessary. To get details on any aspect of fireplace installation near you click the "QUOTE" banner or form.
Flue Linings
A vital addition to your chimney structure, a chimney liner or flu liner improves the safety of your chimney whilst allowing it to perform more effectively than it otherwise would. Made out of metal, clay or ceramic material, flue liners are ducts that are installed inside chimneys to transport smoke and fumes outside. Some chimneys in older properties in Biggin Hill might not even be fitted with a liner, or if the current lining is compromised, might need to be re-lined.
The harmful gases that are formed when you burn a fire can eat away at your chimney's flue lining. Your flue lining must be regularly checked for damage and possible problems each time it's being cleaned. If there is damage, those toxic gases might seep into your living area rather than being properly vented outside. Excessive heat could also be permitted to penetrate the structure of the chimney, creating the possibility of fires.
Chimney Cowl Installation Biggin Hill
A chimney cowl is a hood-shaped cover that fits over the chimney pot to increase the draft and prevent smoke from backing up. It is generally made of galvanized iron and is designed to prevent the wind from blowing smoke down the chimney. It is an integral part of any fireplace. You should install a cowl on your chimney in Biggin Hill if you want to enjoy the benefits of a fireplace.
A chimney cowl can also help protect your home and keep you safe. There are several types of chimney cowls available on the market, each designed to address different issues. Before you purchase one, consider a few aspects to ensure you get one that will help protect your home. Once you know what you need, you can then choose a chimney cowl based on your budget and needs.
You can also find chimney cowls made from everyday objects, like a steel bucket or stainless steel colander. Chicken wire can also be used to make a cowl. Clay flower pots also make good chimney cowls. These covers can be purchased at a local hardware store or online.
Chimney cowls are a simple way to prevent birds from nesting in your chimney in Biggin Hill. They are inexpensive and easy to install. You should make sure you have easy access to the area above the chimney to install one. It can also prevent debris from accumulating inside the chimney. Ask your local fireplace installer in Biggin Hill if they can fit a suitable chimney cowl for you.
How To Retain Your Fireplace And Bring Down Your Heating Bills
With all of the current green concerns, the traditional fireplace has lost a little of its allure, but it still is a favourite feature for many people in Biggin Hill. There is nothing like feeling the warmth of a fireplace during a freezing winter's evening. There are many benefits to having a fireplace but there are a few drawbacks that might need to be dealt with. As energy costs go up, you need to make sure that your fireplace is giving you heat efficiently. When a fire is burning, it may possibly warm up those who are standing close to it, but it can actually pull warm air out of your room, making your heat source work even harder. Anytime there's no fire, a damper should manage the airflow. Often times though, fireplace dampers are renowned for being inefficient in keeping cold air out, and warm air in.
What the majority of people in Biggin Hill usually do not know about their fireplace is that it doesn't do what they think it is doing. Instead of saving resources, and heating costs, it's typically adding 100s of pounds of energy expense. Nevertheless, there are some techniques you're able to do that can turn your budget busting fireplace into something a touch more efficient. There are at least four basic points that you are able to do to fix up your fireplace. You will see that these hints will help make your fireplace produce quality heat and your heating bill a lot lower.
The initial step is to take out your current fireplace damper and swap it for a new top sealing damper. This kind of damper is set up at the top end of the chimney, and acts like a storm door. It does a good job of preserving warm air in the home during winter and cool air from escaping in the warmer months. Its not very challenging to install and may be easily purchased on the internet. An additional thing that you can do should be to place a fire-back at the rear of your fireplace. This is a cast iron plate that's intended to enhance the room design, while protecting the back wall from damage due to the heat. The fire-back also soaks up heat from the fire and sends it back into the room, making the fireplace more effective.
Another thing that can help is a fireplace heater/fan, which heats the air that is being circulated through an internal chamber, and blows it back into the room. These devices are put in place as closed systems in order that they do not emit any smoke, but they are effective at keeping your house warm. And finally, installing glass doors, although a bit on the costly side, can be effective in making your open fireplace economical to run. If you do your homework, you can certainly get an excellent deal on glass doors and they're not too hard to put in yourself. Glass doors is able to keep the air in your house from escaping up the chimney and also help to safeguard your pets and children from accidentally falling into the flames.
The advice we've just given isn't that hard to put into action, and all of the required products can be readily purchased on the internet. Keep your fireplace and cut heating costs by making it more efficient.
Chimney Sweep Biggin Hill
You ought to have your chimney swept frequently, irrespective of whether you've got an open fire or a stove. At least once yearly is the advice for chimney sweeping.
To ensure that the work is being conducted properly, it's invariably a good idea to call in a specialist Biggin Hill chimney sweep. If there are any safety issues with your chimney, your chimney sweep will be able to identify them and advise you accordingly.
If you do not continually sweep your chimney in Biggin Hill, the resulting build-up of ash and soot could easily lead to a chimney fire. Blocked chimneys can also cause another dangerous situation by drawing harmful carbon monoxide fumes back into your home.
In the unlikely event that any damages or accidents occur while you're having your chimney cleaned, ensure your chosen Biggin Hill chimney sweep has public liability cover. For chimney sweeping prices in Biggin Hill CLICK HERE.
Chimney Repair Biggin Hill
Both domestic and commercial chimney systems in Biggin Hill should be regularly repaired to maintain their safety, functionality and efficiency. Chimneys can be subjected to deterioration due to the combined effects of weather elements, temperature fluctuations, and the byproducts of combustion with the passage of time. These factors can lead to a number of issues that need to be addressed quickly and by a trained professional.
One of the common problems that necessitate chimney repair is the development of cracks in the chimney structure. Moisture infiltration and even more damage can be caused by these cracks, which affect the structural integrity of the chimney. Dangerous gases, including carbon monoxide, can pose serious health hazards to any occupants of the building when they escape from cracks in the chimney and into the living spaces.
The build-up of debris and creosote in the chimney flue is another commonplace problem. Chimney fires and efficiency losses are both caused by creosote accumulations. To reduce fire risks and ensure adequate airflow, regular chimney cleaning as part of the repair procedure helps remove creosote, soot and debris. (88224 - Chimney Repairs Biggin Hill)
Biggin Hill Fireplace Related Tasks
There is a range of work that can be accomplished by your local Biggin Hill fireplace company including fire grate conversions, marble fireplace installations, fireplace replacement in Biggin Hill, limestone fireplace installation, fake fireplace installations, fireplacerates in Biggin Hill, inglenook fireplace installations Biggin Hill, chimney repairs, traditional fireplaces Biggin Hill, fireplace services, designer fireplaces Biggin Hill, fireplace mantels Biggin Hill, Victorian fireplaces Biggin Hill, stone fireplace installations, bespoke fireplaces, wood burning stove installations, tiled fireplaces Biggin Hill, Victorian fireplace installation, freestanding stoves Biggin Hill, open fireplaces, fireplace cleaning Biggin Hill, wood burning fireplaces Biggin Hill, cast iron fireplaces in Biggin Hill, fireplace hearths, gas fireplaces in Biggin Hill, chimney lining, fireplaces, cheap fireplace installation, chimney cowl installations, electric fire baskets, fireplace installation, chimney strengthening in Biggin Hill, fireplace design in Biggin Hill, brick fireplaces, multifuel stoves, and more. These are just an example of the activities that are handled by people fitting fireplaces. Biggin Hill specialists will keep you informed about their full range of fireplace related services.
Fireplace Installation Information, Advice and Social Media
If you're curious to read up on ideas for fireplaces check this out. To get a feeling for how fireplace installation is at present being represented on social media websites, check this out. Discover the fundamentals on installing a fireplace mantel and hearth by watching You Tube here. For more information regarding the heating efficiency of fireplaces, coal burning fireplaces, the evolution of fireplaces, the health effects of fireplaces, the different types of fireplace and how fireplaces affect the environment, visit Wikipedia here. To reply to or ask questions pertaining to fireplace installation check out the Buildhub Forum, topics under discussion comprise widening fireplaces, chimney design, stove vents, wood burners, understanding building regulations and pellet stoves and boilers.
Skip Hire Biggin Hill
Although it is exciting to do home refurbishments or improvements on your property in Biggin Hill, a major downside can be getting rid of the waste that is generated afterwards. Even though fireplace installations is not one of those projects that typically generates lots of waste, that isn't invariably the case, and it will depend on the size and scale of your specific installation. While some tradespeople will be glad to take away any waste materials, some will leave it for you to deal with.
One of the simplest and most hassle-free ways to dispose of this waste is to hire a skip. Different sizes of skip are available to match the amount of waste that you have. The capacities of the most widely used skips are skip bags 1-1.5 yards, mini-skips 2-3 yards, midi-skips 4-5 yards, and builders skips 6-8 yards.
To get price quotes for all the different sizes of skip CLICK HERE.
Doing a Search Online
Doing a search on the web is the way that the majority of people in Biggin Hill look for any sort of services these days. Google, Bing, Yahoo or Ask will deliver instant results which will up to a point be related to your search term. Sometimes the page 1 listings given are not exactly what you were anticipating when making use of these principal search engines. Most home owners, when looking to find fireplace installers in Biggin Hill will enter "fireplace installation Biggin Hill", "Biggin Hill fireplace installation", "fireplace installation in Biggin Hill" or "fireplace installation near me" into the search box and study the listings.
It's best to remember that the four top results are quite often "pay per click" advertisements and the majority of the remaining results on the 1st page are going to be business directories like Three Best Rated, Yell, Cyclex or Yelp, or entries for the top trade portals such as Rated People, Local Heroes, My Hammer, TrustaTrader, Checkatrade or Quotatis. The individual websites of fireplace installers in Biggin Hill (when they have one), is likely to be abandoned on page 2 or 3 of the results. Consequently you will have to delve deeper.
Fireplace Installers Near Biggin Hill
Also find: Dunton Green fireplace installers, Green Street Green fireplace installers, Sundridge fireplace installers, Keston fireplace installers, Shoreham fireplace installers, Woldingham fireplace installers, Brasted fireplace installers, Knockholt fireplace installers, Downe fireplace installers, Tatsfield fireplace installers and more. Fireplace installation services are available in all these towns and localities. These seasoned tradesmen's knowledge and experience make them well-suited for the correct installation of fireplaces in your property. Dedicated experts facilitate residents in enjoying the warmth, atmosphere and comfort that come with having a fireplace in their living spaces. To obtain price quotes for fireplaces, local residents can go here.
Fireplace Services Biggin Hill
- Biggin Hill Stone Fireplaces
- Biggin Hill Marble Fireplaces
- Biggin Hill Fireplace Quotations
- Biggin Hill Fireplace Fitters
- Biggin Hill Cast Iron Fireplaces
- Biggin Hill Fireplace Surrounds
- Biggin Hill Fireplace Installers
- Biggin Hill Fireplace Mantels
- Biggin Hill Fireplace Repairs
- Biggin Hill Fireplace Installation Services
- Biggin Hill Fireplaces
- Biggin Hill Wood Burning Fireplaces
- Biggin Hill Victorian Fireplaces
- Biggin Hill Gas Fireplaces
To find local Biggin Hill info check here
Fireplace installation in TN16 area, 01959.