Fireplace Fitter Earls Barton Northamptonshire (NN6): Re-opening an old disused fireplace to install an open fire, a gas fire or a wood burner is a splendid way to add a homely feel and a bit of charm to your Earls Barton home. The addition of an open fire or multi-fuel stove for those cold winter evenings can even prove cheaper than some central heating systems, so long as you've got a regular source of wood or fuel. If used in combination with a back boiler it can provide you with a plentiful supply of steaming hot water at the same time.
Before you begin prising away at a bricked-up chimney there are a few things you will need to consider to make sure you can install your new fireplace in a safe and efficient way. All work must abide by Part J of the Building Regulations, which addresses the installation and construction of fireplaces, flue linings, chimney breasts and hearths of any combustible appliance. If you live in a designated conservation area or a listed building you should check with local council to see if planning permission is needed for a fireplace installation in your home.
PROFESSIONAL OR DIY FIREPLACE INSTALLATION?
If you are an enthusiastic and competent DIY'er it may be quite possible to renovate a bricked-up or closed-off fireplace, but the chance of running into structural problems in many cases is high. You might be lucky when you expose the old fireplace and discover that you need little more than a decent chimney sweep and a quick clean out of the hearth in order to get your fire roaring once more. Much more likely you'll come across old brickwork that requires structural reinforcement and a blocked flue.
A wrongly installed fireplace can cause serious respiratory health problems and fire risk and, as such, should only be fitted by a professional fireplace company in Earls Barton with the knowledge and experience to do the work effectively. Airflow must be satisfactory in any room in which a fireplace is to be installed; in fact it is a requirement in the Building Regulations that this is so. If there is not enough airflow then it's possible that a fire will burn inefficiently and cause a build-up of carbon monoxide fumes, which can be lethal.
It might be necessary to install airflow vents in walls and floors to enable the fireplace to get adequate oxygen to burn efficiently and safely all the time. They may also have to fit vents in unused chimney flues which can sometimes trap moist air and cause damp spots and staining to your chimney breast.
BEFORE WORK STARTS
It's surprising how much soot and grime can build up inside an old chimney and you'll not know what's there until you uncover it. A fireplace installer will bring dust sheets for your home furnishings and supply a bit of protection, however it is wise where feasible to remove furniture and carpets from the area before work starts. If you are fortunate enough to be carrying out a complete home restoration project then it should be one of the initial jobs to work on before re-plastering and decorating the walls. By opening a fireplace first you'll prevent any chimney soot causing damage to other phases of your project, such as paint on walls or fresh plasterwork.
STRUCTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION WORK
Now that you're able to see the fireplace opening it's time to clean and sweep the hearth and chimney and work out what is fit for refurbishment. The first thing on your agenda will be to call in a competent chimney sweep. They'll be willing to offer professional guidance on the chimney and flue after sweeping, regarding the situation with the chimney structure and if it is advisable to swap the existing lining.
If you need to strengthen the chimney or install a flue lining all relevant UK Building Regulations must be followed. This type of work should be completed by a qualified tradesperson who is familiar with the current building regulations and good working practices.
If the dimensions of the existing fireplace are greater than your needs, a supporting concrete lintel must be installed. When you've supported the fireplace with your lintel it is now possible to renovate or update the hearth. In the past the hearth was sunken into the floor, but the latest building regs demand that it is raised above floor level. You can get custom-made solutions to fit any design and size of fireplace, or you can select from a variety of popular sized hearths to match your decor.
STYLE OF FIREPLACE
Deciding on your choice of fireplace can be difficult amongst the different designs and styles that are available from an online store or fireplace showroom. It's possible that owing to your current flue and chimney, that some fireplaces may not be appropriate, therefore it pays to follow the the recommendations and advice of the fireplace installation company with respect to this.
Some rooms and homes will look better with an open fireplace than a wood burner or multi fuel stove and vice versa. As an example, a wood burning stove looks splendid set into an old-fashioned inglenook fireplace, which highlights the character of the stove and also reflects the heat into the room effectively.
Even if you do not have a chimney in your Earls Barton property, it is still possible to install a multi-fuel stove or a wood burner. As long as you've got an exterior wall through which a stainless steel flue from the back or top of the stove can be routed, you don't need to have an existing chimney structure to be able to benefit from that "real" fire experience.
ELECTRIC, OPEN, GAS, WOOD OR MULTI-FUEL FIREPLACE?
Who does not enjoy the crackling of a natural fireplace on a cold winters' evening, however if your circumstances do not allow for this, what alternatives are on offer?
Electric Fireplaces - A wide selection of electric fireplaces to suit pretty much any house in Earls Barton, can be easily fitted by anybody who's reasonable competent. Can be inset into traditional fireplaces, and with "real feel" electric fires it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from the genuine article.
Open Fireplaces - Provides a stunning focal point for a room and can utilise a variety of solid fuels. In the good old days an open fire may have had the associations with being inefficient, smoky and draughty, however a professionally fitted modern fireplace is a joy to sit in front of and bask in the warm glow it provides.
Multi-Fuel Stoves - Multi-fuel stoves provide you with the option of using gas, coal, oil and wood to deliver a multipurpose heater for any home in Earls Barton. They can be utilised not merely for heating a single room, but some types like the AGA range, can supply hot water, provide a useful cooking area and can be used to heat the whole home if they're plumbed into a radiator network.
Wood Burning Stoves - These have become "the in thing" in a lot of properties in Earls Barton, and can have modern or classic styling to match your decoration. An integrated back boiler is an additional benefit and can provide hot water for use around the home, or to provide heating in another area via a radiator.
Gas Fireplaces - Gas fireplaces come in a wide range of designs to suit your property and are typically more efficient (thermally) than open fireplaces. Have to be professionally maintained and fitted by a Gas Safe registered tradesman.
Chimney Sweep Earls Barton
Getting the chimney swept is something that people often forget or put off, but it's essential to get this done on a regular basis if you have a wood burning stove or an open fire in your Earls Barton house. Chimneys need to be swept and cleaned at least once annually to keep them in safe working condition.
It's always best to call in a professional Earls Barton chimney sweep if you want to get this work done properly. Bringing in a chimney sweep not only keeps your chimney nice and clean but also highlights any problems that there might be with your chimney.
Chimney fires could easily be the result of a build-up of soot, ash and creosote if you fail to sweep your chimney. 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 gas flowing back into your property.
Check that your chosen chimney sweep in Earls Barton is adequately covered by public liability insurance, and is skilled in this field. For Earls Barton chimney sweeping quotes CLICK HERE. chimney sweeping services are also available in Mears Ashby, Sywell, New Barton, Wellingborough, Overstone, Ecton, Castle Ashby, Grendon, Lower End, Northampton, Wilby, and in Earls Barton itself.
Flue Linings
An essential element of the chimney structure on your property, a flue or chimney liner improves the safety of your chimney whilst enabling it to function more efficiently than it otherwise would. Installed inside chimneys to transport smoke and fumes outside, flue liners are ducts made from ceramic material, metal or clay. An older chimney in Earls Barton might not have a lining at all, or will need to be relined in accordance with it's age and condition.
Your fireplace flue lining can, in time, be compromised by the hazardous fumes and gases that are generated by burning a fire. Be sure that your fireplace specialist inspects the flue for damage and potential problems. If it is impaired, those dangerous gases may seep into your home instead of being properly vented outdoors. There's also the risk of fires inside the home because a damaged flue lining can enable intense heat to penetrate the chimney structure.
Earls Barton Fireplace Related Tasks
There is a wide range of work that can be undertaken by your local Earls Barton fireplace specialist including modern fireplace installation, fireplace suites, traditional fireplaces Earls Barton, period fireplaces Earls Barton, open fireplaces in Earls Barton, stone fireplaces, cast iron fireplace installation in Earls Barton, fireplace services, cheap fireplace installation, chimney lining, elm fireplaces Earls Barton, fire grate conversions, corner fireplaces Earls Barton, inset stoves, fireplacequotes, electric fireplace installation, inglenook fireplaces, brick fireplace installation, bespoke fireplaces, limestone fireplace installations, flue liner installation Earls Barton, chimney strengthening, 2-sided fireplaces Earls Barton, marble fireplace surrounds, fireplace surrounds in Earls Barton, chimney sweeping in Earls Barton, hearth fireplaces Earls Barton, electric fire suites, double-sided stoves, fake fireplace installation, Victorian fireplaces Earls Barton, designer fireplaces Earls Barton, multifuel stove installation, gas fireplace installations, fireplaces, fireplace replacement, and more. Listed are just an example of the duties that are undertaken by tradesmen installing fireplaces. Earls Barton professionals will let you know their entire range of services.
Fireplace Installers Near Earls Barton
Also find: Wilby fireplace installers, Great Doddington fireplace installers, Sywell fireplace installers, Cogenhoe fireplace installers, Little Houghton fireplace installers, Overstone fireplace installers, Brafield-on-the-Green fireplace installers, Strixton fireplace installers, Grendon fireplace installers, Lower End fireplace installers, Ecton fireplace installers, Mears Ashby fireplace installers, Castle Ashby fireplace installers, New Barton fireplace installers and more.
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