Fireplace Fitter Greenwich Greater London (SE10): If you are sick and tired of soaring energy prices and would like to find another way to heat your home in Greenwich, why don't you open up that disused fireplace and install an economical multi-fuel, wood burning or open fire? You cannot only delight in the warmth and ambience of an open fire or stove through the frosty winter's days, but if you combine a new fireplace with a back boiler, you'll also be provided with a plentiful supply of steaming hot water.
To achieve an efficient and safe fireplace, there are a few crucial things to consider, before you start bashing down the walls of a bricked-up fireplace. The United Kingdom's Part J building regulations for heating appliances for example, which has an impact on any work that's done on flue linings, fireplaces, hearths and chimney breasts. If your home is a listed building you'll also have to ascertain if planning permission is required from the local council before any work is started.
PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION OR DIY?
When restoring an old bricked-up fireplace, there is a high likelihood of encountering structural problems, therefore even if you're an experienced DIY-er you could easily struggle to complete this sort of work. When you reveal the old fireplace, you may be fortunate and discover that to get a fire roaring once more, it needs little more than a thorough chimney sweep and a quick clean out of the hearth. However, a stopped up flue and crumbling, old brickwork that needs to be reinforced structurally is what you are more likely to discover.
If a fireplace is installed incorrectly there's not only a risk of fire to your home, but there can also be associated respiratory health hazards, which is why it is better to employ a professional Greenwich installation company for a fireplace. A major factor of the Building Regulations for fireplaces is that sufficient oxygen is available in a room for the fire to burn properly and efficiently. If there's not enough airflow then it's possible that a fire will not burn efficiently and cause a build-up of carbon monoxide, which can be lethal.
It could be necessary to install airflow vents in floors and walls to enable the fire to receive ample oxygen to burn safely and effectively all the time. Moist, condensed air can often get trapped in blocked or unused chimney flues which may also require improved ventilation, to avoid problems with dampness in the chimney breast.
BEFORE WORK BEGINS
Having a fireplace opened up can create a lot of of soot and dust. A thoughtful Greenwich fireplace installer will bring dust sheets to cover up your furniture and supply some form of protection, however it's sensible where feasible to remove rugs, carpets and furniture from the room before work commences. Re-opening an old fireplace ought to be one of the initial things that you do, if it is only a part of a more substantial renovation project. This should help to prevent any impairment by dirt and chimney soot to any completed renovation work.
CONSTRUCTION AND STRUCTURAL WORK
As soon as the fireplace has been successfully opened up, you will have a clearer picture of the sort of restoration work that's required. You can also then proceed to sweep the chimney and clean any remaining elements of the hearth. This would be the ideal time to get in touch with a local Greenwich chimney sweep to see if they're able to come and have a look at your chimney and fireplace. While sweeping and cleaning, they will be perfectly positioned to determine the structural integrity of your chimney and flue, and propose what's required to get everything working safely.
After a chimney sweep assessment it may be necessary to strengthen the chimney breast and/or install a new flue lining in keeping with Part J of the Building Regulations. This is not likely to be the kind of work that you can do yourself, so you will have to employ a capable builder who is experienced in good construction techniques and an understanding of the Building Regulations.
It is possible that a concrete supporting lintel will be required, if the original fireplace is of a size which is larger than your needs. Once your lintel is safely in position you may now press on with the installation, updating and repair of the hearth. If the current hearth is set into the floor you'll have to raise it to observe the current building regs. Off-the-shelf solutions from marble, granite or concrete are available to achieve this, or your fireplace builder in Greenwich should be able to provide you with a bespoke, custom-made hearth to match the design of your room.
FIREPLACE STYLE
Because of the wonderful selection of different fireplace designs and styles, picking the most suitable one won't always be easy. You can find out what's currently on the market by going on the web or by visiting your nearest fireplace showroom. Every fireplace will not be suitable for your existing flue and chimney and it is wise to accept any advice and guidance offered by your fireplace installers regarding your specific situation.
Your existing decor, the look that you are seeking to create and in some situations, the age of your home in Greenwich, will influence whether you go with an open fireplace, a multi-fuel stove or a wood burner. If you've got an attractive inglenook fireplace, a cast iron wood burner can look spectacular set inside it, and has the added benefit of effectively deflecting heat into the room from the brick or stone walls surrounding the stove.
For homes in Greenwich that don't have an existing chimney, a multi-fuel stove or a wood burner is an excellent solution. Since a flue can be passed through an exterior wall and has no requirement for a chimney breast, it is still feasible to put in this kind of fireplace.
ELECTRIC, MULTI-FUEL, GAS, OPEN OR WOOD FIREPLACE?
If this kind of fireplace is not possible within your Greenwich property, what other options are available?
Multi-Fuel Stoves - As you'll probably guess from the name, these kinds of stoves can be fed an assortment of fuels, including wood, gas, oil or coal, and furthermore, they can also introduce a focal point for your living space. Some styles, such as the AGA range, are also suitable for cooking, providing hot water and heating your entire house.
Wood Burning Stoves - These devices can even be a free standing feature, and there's a huge selection available to suit any age of home in Greenwich. If used in conjunction with a back boiler they are able to provide piping hot water to heat radiators or for use around the home.
Open Fireplaces - The classic fireplace that can use different fuels such as coal, wood, briquettes and other flammable products. An open fire is a delight to the eye and modern fireplaces are no longer the smoky, inefficient and draughty items that they used to be.
Gas Fireplaces - There are a variety of styles to suit all types of property and their efficiency to warm a room is better than wood burning stoves. Have to be professionally fitted and maintained by a Gas Safe registered tradesman.
Electric Fireplaces - Straightforward installation and a diverse choice of styles make electric fireplaces an extremely popular choice for Greenwich properties that don't have a chimney breast. Even if your property has a regular fireplace, an electric fire can be installed that looks almost like a genuine fire with an authentic flame effect.
Flue Liners
Installed to improve the efficiency and safety of your chimney system, a flue or chimney liner is vital and should not be omitted in any circumstances. Running the full length of the inside of the chimney, flue liners are conduits made from a number of materials including ceramics, stainless steel or clay. They channel toxic fumes outside your home. Subject to their condition and age, older chimneys in Greenwich might have to be relined, or may not be fitted with a flue liner at all.
Your fireplace flue can easily be affected by the hazardous gases and fumes which are generated by the burning of a fire. Whilst it is being cleaned, get the chimney sweep or fireplace specialist to inspect your flue for any damages or risks of it failing in the foreseeable future. You must stop those toxic gases from seeping into your home, which is what can occur when a flue lining is faulty. Impaired flue linings can also cause house fires - so have them looked at!
Brick Fireplaces
Brick fireplaces have been a favourite in buildings for hundreds of years, and rightly so. They not only provide warmth and comfort during the winter months but also add a rustic touch to any space that they're in. There are a number of issues that you'll need to consider, if you are thinking about installing a brick fireplace in your house in Greenwich
First off, you'll want to consider the design of fireplace you prefer. Conventional brick fireplaces generally feature a mantel and hearth, whilst contemporary fireplaces frequently have a sleeker design with clean, neat lines. You'll also want to consider what size of fireplace you want. A larger fireplace can make a spectacular statement in a room, while a smaller version can provide a comfy nook.
When it comes to brick selection, there are plenty of options. Bricks come in a number of textures and colours, thus you can select the perfect brick to complement the design of your property. You could even think about mixing and matching brick styles to create a unique and distinctive look.
Finally, consider the practical aspects of a brick fireplace. Make certain that your fireplace is adequately vented and that you have a functioning chimney. If you intend to use the fireplace for heating, think about putting in glass doors or a fireplace insert to improve its efficiency and safety.
To summarise, brick fireplaces are a timeless addition to any property. They're versatile, durable, and provide warmth and comfort for many years. If you're considering a fireplace for your house in Greenwich, a brick fireplace is an outstanding choice.
Tips On How To Lower Your Heating Bill And Keep Your Open Fireplace In Great Shape
The traditional fireplace seems to have lost a little bit of of its glamour because of concerns for the environment but it is still loved by many in Greenwich. The natural comfort of an open fireplace triggers special memories for those who have them. The fireplace can offer numerous benefits for your home, but there are also a few significant drawbacks that need to be fixed. As energy costs go up, you should make sure that your fireplace is producing heat efficiently. Although having a fire alight in a fireplace keeps the people near to it warm, it can actually suck warm air from the rest of the room, causing your heater to work harder. In case you do not have a fire burning, the damper is supposed to keep heat in. However, dampers have a very inadequate seal, so cold air can get in, and warm air passes out.
Many families that have a fireplace in their property in Greenwich don't understand how the fireplace can have an effect on their energy bill. Instead of keeping the cost of heating down, it can actually do the precise reverse if one isn't careful. However, there are several procedures that you can follow that can easily turn your budget busting fireplace into something far more efficient. Just about all you need to do is basically 4 simple things to fix your fireplace. All of these will make your fireplace very affordable and more efficient.
The initial thing that has to be done is to replace the existing damper with a top sealing damper. This type of damper is placed near the top of your chimney and helps to stop rain from coming in. It does a superb job of preserving warm air in the property during winter months and cool air from getting out in the summertime. The seal is straightforward to fit, and can be purchased online. Another thing you could choose to do is fit a fire-back in the back part of your fireplace. This is a cast iron plate that is intended to add to the room design, while saving the back wall from damage by the heat. The fire-back also soaks up heat from the fire and sends it back into the room, making your fireplace more efficient.
Another option is to buy a fireplace fan/heater, which draws in air in a room and warms it up. These devices are set up as closed systems so they do not produce any smoke, but are effective at warming your room. Finally, you may install glass doors which could be the most expensive. If you do your groundwork, you can find glass doors at a decent price and mount them on your own. These glass doors form a screen between your living space and the hearth, not only making the area less for the fire to heat, but also providing protection.
These suggestions are not terribly hard to accomplish and you should be able to buy most of the items from the internet. Keep your fireplace and lower heating expenses by increasing it's efficiency.
Fireplace Installers Near Greenwich
Also find: Royal Arsenal fireplace installers, Isle of Dogs fireplace installers, Vanbrugh Park fireplace installers, Newlands fireplace installers, Maze Hill fireplace installers, Polthorne Estate fireplace installers, Southfields fireplace installers, Silvertown fireplace installers, Welling fireplace installers, North Greenwich fireplace installers, Lee fireplace installers, Surrey Quays fireplace installers and more.
Greenwich Fireplace Related Tasks
There are a wide array of tasks that can be undertaken by your local Greenwich fireplace fitter including electric fire suites, fireplaceprices Greenwich, brick fireplace installation, two-sided fireplaces, Regency fireplaces Greenwich, fireplace mantels, chimney modifications, fire grate conversions Greenwich, period fireplace installations, fireplace services, fireplace design, chimney lining in Greenwich, fireplace refurbishment, fireplace removal in Greenwich, designer fireplaces, fireplace installation in Greenwich, inglenook fireplace installations in Greenwich, wood burning fireplace installations Greenwich, corner fireplaces, stone fireplaces, electric fireplaces Greenwich, cheap fireplace installation, tiled fireplaces Greenwich, fireplace hearths Greenwich, electric fireplace installations in Greenwich, multifuel & wood burning stoves in Greenwich, chimney sweeping, elm fireplaces Greenwich, outdoor fireplaces Greenwich, marble fireplaces Greenwich, fireplace suites in Greenwich, stone fireplace installation, elm fireplace installations, built-in gas fires, Victorian fireplaces, and lots more. This is just an illustration of what can be done by a local fireplace fitter. Greenwich professionals offering these sorts of fireplace services, will provide a full list when asked.
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