Fireplace Fitter Birmingham West Midlands (B1): A marvelous way to add some character to any Birmingham property is by installing a brand new fireplace, or renovating an existing one. If you add a back boiler to your brand new fireplace, you can not only take pleasure in the warmth and ambience of an open fire or stove during the cold winters' evenings, you'll also be provided with lots of steaming hot water.
There are some crucial considerations you must keep in mind if you are to end up with a safe and efficient fireplace, before you begin knocking down the walls of a bricked-up fireplace. The UK Building Regulations, Part J for heating appliances for starters, which has an impact on any work that's undertaken on chimney breasts, fireplaces, hearths and flue linings. Also, you'll need to check with the local council if planning permission is required before any work is started, if you own a listed building or live in designated conservation area in Birmingham.
PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION OR DIY?
If you're a competent and keen do-it-yourselfer it might be possible to refurbish an existing blocked up fireplace, but the chances of running into structural issues in most cases is unfortunately high. When your boarded up fireplace is revealed you might find a sturdy lintel, hearth and chimney breast that requires little more than a clean by a chimney sweep to get it working once more. It is much more likely that you'll come across crumbling brickwork that needs structural reinforcement and a blocked flue.
A poorly installed fireplace can cause serious fire risk and respiratory health problems and, as such, should only be fitted by a professional fireplace specialist in Birmingham with the experience and knowledge to do the job effectively. Making sure that sufficient oxygen is available in a room for the fire to burn properly and efficiently is a key aspect of the Building Regulations for fireplaces. An inefficiently burning fire in an inadequately ventilated room can result in a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide.
A professional fireplace installation crew will assess the situation at hand and get past this issue to ensure an adequate airflow for the fireplace to burn effectively and safely, by installing vents in locations around the room, or beneath the floors. To increase airflow within unused or blocked chimney flues, the fireplace installation engineer may need to install flue vents to prevent moist, condensed air getting trapped and producing damp areas and stains.
BEFORE WORK BEGINS
Chimneys are renowned for the huge quantity of soot and muck that can accumulate inside of them, consequently when you go through the process of opening up a disused fireplace you can assume that it will be a rather messy operation. A fireplace installer will bring covers for your home furnishings and supply some form of protection, but it is wise where possible to remove carpets and furniture from the room before any work begins. When it's merely part of a more substantial home renovation project, opening up an unused fireplace ought to be one of the first tasks that you do, because of the mess that's involved. This should help to avoid any damage by soot and other chimney dirt to any previously completed work.
CONSTRUCTION & STRUCTURAL WORK
As soon as the old fireplace has been opened up and exposed, you'll get a clearer picture of the sort of refurbishment work that's required. You can then also proceed with sweeping the chimney and cleaning any remaining portions of the hearth. You now ought to get hold of your chimney sweep, if you've not already done so, to come and look at the old fireplace and chimney. After sweeping and cleaning, they'll offer guidance and advice about the condition of the chimney structure and flue liner, and let you know if there are any parts that need to be replaced.
After an assessment by a professional chimney sweep, and in compliance with the Building Regulations (Part J), work to strengthen the chimney breast and/or install a new flue lining might be necessary. Experience in good construction practices and familiarity with the relevant Building Regs will be essential for anyone who tackles this type of work, so you really want a competent builder and should never attempt to do this yourself.
It's quite likely that a concrete lintel will need to be installed, if the original fireplace is of a size which is larger than your needs. The updating, renovation and installation of the hearth can go ahead once the lintel is in place. The latest Building Regulations require that the hearth is raised slightly above the level of the floor, although in the past it would quite often have been set into a void in the floor. Off-the-shelf solutions from concrete, marble or stone are available on the market to achieve this, or your fireplace builder in Birmingham should be able to offer a bespoke, made to measure hearth to fit in with the style of your room.
FIREPLACE STYLE
A quick browse online or a visit to a fireplace showroom will demonstrate the options that are available for the different styles and designs of fireplaces. It generally pays to heed the recommendations of the sales and installation team in relation to which fireplaces will be suitable for your chimney, flue and air flow situation, because some of them certainly won't be.
An open fireplace option might be suitable for some rooms and dwellings in Birmingham, whilst a wood burning or multi-fuel stove will be more suitable for others. If you have an old-fashioned inglenook fireplace, a wood burning stove can look stunning set inside it, and has the added benefit of reflecting the heat back into the room from the stone or brick walls surrounding the stove.
It's still viable to put in a wood burner stove, even if there's no chimney in your Birmingham property. Since a stainless steel flue can be passed through an exterior wall and doesn't require a chimney, it is still feasible to install and enjoy this type of fireplace.
GAS, WOOD, ELECTRIC, OPEN OR MULTI-FUEL FIREPLACE?
If this sort of fireplace is not possible within your Birmingham property, what other alternatives are there?
Open Fireplaces - Being able to burn just about any solid fuel in the marketplace, the open fireplace can provide a flickering fire as a great focal point for a room or living area. Modern fireplaces are no longer the draughty, inefficient and smoky features that they used to be, and an open fire creates a cosy and warm environment for the occupants to enjoy.
Wood Burning Stoves - Wood burning stoves have become "the in thing" in many properties in Birmingham, and can have classic or modern styling to complement your decor. An added benefit of these stoves is that they can provide hot water for domestic use around the home, or supply heating to another room by means of a radiator, when coupled with a back boiler.
Multi-Fuel Stoves - Multi-fuel stoves can be fired up with with a variety of fuels, (coal, wood, oil, gas) to create a focal point in your home in Birmingham. If you go for something like the AGA range of multi-fuel stoves, you can do cooking, get hot water, and when connected to your radiators or central heating system, provide heat for your whole home.
Gas Fireplaces - There are a range of different styles to suit all property types and their effectiveness in warming a room is better than wood burning stoves or open fireplaces. A Gas Safe certified engineer must maintain and install any gas fire in your property, (CORGI was replaced by Gas Safe registered qualification in 2009).
Electric Fireplaces - Basic installation and a diverse choice of styles make electric fireplaces a popular choice for Birmingham houses without a chimney. When set into a conventional fireplace, contemporary electric fires can imitate a genuine fire, with real look flames and often even the sound of crackling wood.
Fireplace installation work can be undertaken in Birmingham and also nearby in: Small Heath, Lea Hall, Aston, Edgbaston, Bromford, Bordesley Green, Selly Oak, Druids Heath, Handsworth Wood, Highgate, Hockley, Smethwick, Birchfield, Ladywood, and in these postcodes B1 1LJ, B1 2HW, B1 1NN, B1 1TW, B1 2NJ, B1 1AY, B1 2JF, B1 1SY, B1 1BA, and B1 2DR. A couple of pointers which imply that a fireplace builder operates in Birmingham area is if they have the postcode B1 and the phone code 0121. This is just one thing that you can confirm if you want to ensure that you hire a local fireplace installer. Birmingham people can benefit from these and various other comparable services. Simply click the "quote" form or banner to get details about any aspect of fireplace installation in your location.
Brick Fireplaces
Fireplaces that are made out of brick have been a popular feature in homes for many centuries, and they continue to be a favoured design element today. A brick fireplace can add warmth, character, and a little rustic charm to any space. The following are a few things to consider if you're thinking about adding a brick fireplace to your home in Birmingham.
First and foremost, you'll need to decide on the type of fireplace you want. Standard brick fireplaces usually feature a simple design with a hearth and mantel. Nonetheless, you can also go for a more contemporary design with a sleek finish and clean lines.
In terms of brick selection, you've got lots of options. Brick comes in an assortment of colours and textures, so you can select the perfect brick to complement your home's design. You could even think about mixing and matching brick styles to create a unique look.
Finally, consider the functional aspects of a brick fireplace. Make certain that your fireplace is correctly vented and that you've got a fully functioning chimney. If you plan to use the fireplace for heat, think about putting in a fireplace insert or glass doors to enhance its efficiency and safety.
All in all, a brick fireplace can be a terrific addition to your home in Birmingham, providing both aesthetic appeal and functional warmth. With a little planning and consideration, you can create eye-catching and functional brick fireplace that will be a centerpiece of your home for years into the future.
Ways To Lower Your Heating Bill Plus Keep Your Fireplace In Good Shape
Sparked by concerns over the environment, the classic fireplace is missing some of its charm, but it's still a favourite with many homeowners in Birmingham. Sitting in front of the comfort of an open fireplace, brings back many treasured memories for lots of folks. Having a fireplace has its benefits but there are also some negative aspects which could have an impact on its usefulness. With the cost of energy increasing substantially year after year, your fireplace must emit heat in a cost-effective way. When you have a fire going in the fireplace, it can actually take away warm air out of the room, making your heater work harder. In the event you don't have a fire alight, the damper is intended to keep heat in. Yet, dampers are usually not very efficient seals, therefore all of the warm air escapes and allows cold air to come into the home.
A great many people in Birmingham with fireplaces don't know how it can influence the cost of heating their home. As opposed to conserving resources, and heating costs, it's usually adding 100s of pounds of energy expense. However, there are some procedures that you can follow that can turn your budget smashing fireplace into something more efficient. All you need to do is basically 4 fundamental things enhance the performance of your fireplace. These will certainly make your present fireplace much more economical, and reduce your energy bills.
Step one is to remove your current damper and change it for a top sealing damper. A top sealing damper is installed toward the top end of your chimney that also behaves the same as a storm door. The top sealing damper keeps the air in your home from escaping and will work incredibly well in both warm and cold weather conditions. This won't take lots of time to fit and you can order one online. An additional thing that you can do is to place a fire-back at the back of your fireplace. This is a cast iron plate that is created to add to the room design, while shielding the back wall from damage by the fire. The fire-back also soaks up heat coming from the fire and channels it back into the room, making the fireplace more effective.
The next thing that is going to help is a fireplace heater/fan, which heats the air that's being circulated through a chamber, and sends it back into the room. These gadgets are created as closed systems to make sure they don't give off any smoke, but they are very effective in keeping your house warm. Finally, you can put in glass doors which will likely be the costliest. Hunting around, you should be able to locate a bargain, and with an instruction manual, you can even install them yourself. These glass doors help to keep the heat from getting away plus it keeps children and pets from being burnt.
All of these tips are easy to implement, and the products can easily be found online. Look after your fireplace and see your energy costs fall.
Chimney Sweep
If you've got a wood burning stove or an open fire in your property in Birmingham, the regular sweeping of your chimney is important. Chimney sweeping and cleaning should typically be carried out at least once annually.
So as to get the work done correctly and without mess, the best approach is to contact a specialist Birmingham chimney sweep, who'll be happy to help you. A competent chimney sweep won't just clean your chimney but additionally keep an eye out for any safety issues.
If you don't regularly sweep your chimney in Birmingham, the resulting build-up of soot, ash and creosote could easily lead to a chimney fire. As well as preventing fires, you'll also want to avoid the possibility of poisoning by carbon monoxide gas. When a chimney becomes blocked this toxic substance can flow back into your house with terrible consequences.
The importance of employing a reliable chimney sweep in Birmingham, should now be obvious. To obtain a price for chimney sweeping in Birmingham CLICK HERE. You can also get chimney sweeping done in nearby locations and areas.
Stone Fireplaces Birmingham
Why don't you go some way to bringing the outdoors inside and build a dramatic looking natural stone fireplace? Perhaps your home's exterior has already got some stone features, such as a stone facade or boundary walls. This might be an excellent way to complement those external features on the inside of your property.
Either full-depth stone or stone cladding can be used to build a stone fireplace. Your budget and taste might influence your decision. There is also a wide range of stone that you can select from, including: quartz, marble, limestone, granite, sandstone or slate.
The precise appearance of your fireplace will be affected by the methodology used by the stonemason or craftsman who builds it, the type of stone that's used and the method of building. You should get some photographs prepared featuring the sort of design you are interested in, and before work begins, you can show them to your fireplace installer.
Although some modern day homes might not suit the look of a natural stone fireplace, there are plenty of stylish designs using a blend of wood, metal and stone, that can be particularly striking in appearance.
Flue Linings
Enabling your chimney to perform far more efficiently, a chimney liner or flu liner is a crucial addition to the chimney system on your home. With the purpose of carrying toxic fumes safely to the outside of a building, flue liners are ducts made of clay, metal or ceramic material which are installed inside chimneys. Depending on their age and condition, older chimneys in Birmingham might have to be re-lined, or might not be fitted with a flue lining at all.
Your fireplace flue can, over time, be weakened by the dangerous gases and fumes which are generated by the burning of a fire. An excellent time to check for damage is while your chimney is being swept and cleaned - so you should ask your chimney sweep to do this for you. A flue that's sustained damage might allow those toxic gases to seep into your house, rather than chanelling them safely outside. Defective flue liners can also lead to house fires - so make certain that you have them checked out!
More Birmingham Tradespeople: Home improvement projects in Birmingham will frequently require the skills of many different tradesmen, and a cleaner in Birmingham, an electrician in Birmingham, a bricklayer in Birmingham, a damp proofer in Birmingham, a carpenter in Birmingham, a builder in Birmingham, a chimney sweep in Birmingham, a handyperson in Birmingham, SKIP HIRE in Birmingham, a plumber in Birmingham, waste removal in Birmingham, brick cleaning in Birmingham, a painter/decorator in Birmingham, a stonemason in Birmingham, a plasterer in Birmingham, roof cleaning in Birmingham, a flooring company in Birmingham, a roofer in Birmingham may be required even though you are currently attempting to find fireplace installers in Birmingham, West Midlands. Click on the links to get quotations for all sorts of home improvement work.
Birmingham Fireplace Related Tasks
The array of tasks and services that can be carried out by your local fireplace fitter are varied and wide, and should include things like stone fireplace installation in Birmingham, chimney repairs, double-sided stove installations, fireplace hearths, fireplace surrounds, Victorian fireplace installation, chimney strengthening, fireplaceprices Birmingham, inglenook fireplace, marble fireplace installations in Birmingham, tiled fireplaces Birmingham, hearth fireplaces in Birmingham, cast fireplaces, wood mantels in Birmingham, corner fireplace installations, inset stoves, Victorian fireplaces, 2-sided fireplaces, chimney sweeping, electric fireplace installations, 3-sided fireplaces, classic fireplaces, marble fireplaces Birmingham, chimney modifications, fireplace cleaning Birmingham, period fireplace installation, brick fireplaces, limestone fireplace installations, fireplace packages, the installation of disigner fireplaces, reclaimed fireplaces Birmingham, period fireplaces Birmingham, marble fireplace surrounds Birmingham, fireplace replacement, gas fireplaces Birmingham, and others not listed. When it comes to what is actually available, this is in no way a comprehensive list of the services that are offered by a local fireplace fitter. Birmingham providers will tell you about their entire range of fireplace services.
Fireplace Installers Near Birmingham
Also find: Ladywood fireplace installers, Bromford fireplace installers, Small Heath fireplace installers, Druids Heath fireplace installers, Edgbaston fireplace installers, Selly Oak fireplace installers, Lea Hall fireplace installers, Highgate fireplace installers, Smethwick fireplace installers, Bordesley Green fireplace installers, Handsworth Wood fireplace installers, Aston fireplace installers, Hockley fireplace installers, Birchfield fireplace installers and more. It is possible to get fireplaces installed in all of these towns and areas. Possessing the necessary experience and know-how, these versatile tradesmen can adeptly install fireplaces in your home. Residents, with the help of these committed experts, can experience the warmth, comfort and atmosphere a fireplace adds to their homes. By simply clicking here, fireplace installation quotes are readily available to local residents.
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