Fireplaces Harlow

Harlow Fireplace Installation & Repair

Fireplace Fitter Harlow Essex (CM20): Putting in a brand new fireplace or opening up an old disused fireplace in your Harlow property is a wonderful way to add charm and a homely feel to any room. Not only can you enjoy the warmth and comfort of an open fire or stove during the cool winter's evenings, but if you add a back boiler to your new fireplace, you'll also be supplied with plentiful hot water.

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But before you start knocking down the walls of a blocked up fireplace there are some important things to consider to achieve a safe and efficient fireplace. All work carried out must comply with Part J of the Building Regulations, which addresses the installation and construction of chimney breasts, fireplaces, hearths and flue linings of any heat producing appliance. If you reside in a designated conservation area or a listed building you should check with the local council to see if planning permission is necessary for installing a fireplace in your house.

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PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION OR DIY?

When restoring an old bricked-up fireplace, there's a pretty good chance of encountering structural issues, thus even if you're pretty good at DIY you may find this kind of work difficult. When you reveal the old fireplace, you may be fortunate and find that in order to get a roaring fire once more, it needs nothing more than a good clean out of the hearth and a sweep of the chimney. More likely you'll come across a stopped up flue and crumbling brickwork that needs structural modifications.

If a fireplace is installed improperly there is not only a fire risk to your home, but there can also be associated respiratory health hazards, which is why it's best to employ a competent Harlow installation company for fireplaces. For a fire to burn properly in a room with a fireplace, there must be ample airflow to ensure an adequate amount of oxygen. Carbon monoxide gas (which is deadly) can build-up in a poorly ventilated space where a fire that is burning inefficiently is installed.

To enable the fire to get enough oxygen to burn effectively and safely at all times, it might be necessary for an experienced fireplace installation company to install walls and floors with airflow vents. They might have to fit vents into unused chimney flues which can sometimes trap condensing air and result in staining and damp spots on your chimney breast.

Fireplace Installations Harlow (01279)

BEFORE WORK STARTS

A large amount of dirt and soot can be released from a bricked up fireplace when reopening it for restoration. It's sensible to remove your your carpets and furniture before any fireplace refurbishment work begins, as even with dust sheets for your possessions, the chance of damage from soot and dust is still quite likely. If it's only a part of a more extensive home restoration project, the opening up of a fireplace should be one of the first tasks that you tackle, due to the mess involved. This will help to avoid any damage by soot and other chimney dirt to any completed work.

CONSTRUCTION AND STRUCTURAL WORK

Once you have opened up your fireplace you'll have a better idea of the work that needs to be done, and also be able to rigorously sweep the chimney and clean up any hearth that may have been left in place. Contacting a chimney sweep to de-soot your chimney is one of the very first things on the agenda. A decent chimney sweep will first clean the flue and while doing this will be able to check the structural condition of the chimney and offer you advice on whether you need a new flue liner.

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Following an assessment by a competent Harlow chimney sweep, and observing Part J of the Building Regulations, work to install a new liner and/or strengthen the chimney structure might be required. Experience in good working practices and a knowledge of the Building Regs will be essential for anyone who attempts this type of renovation work, so you really want a qualified builder and should never attempt to do it yourself.

If the size of the existing fireplace is bigger than your requirements, a steel or concrete lintel will have to be put in. As soon as your lintel is in position and secure you may now proceed with the upgrade, installation and repair of the hearth. To be in accordance with the current Building Regulations in the UK, any hearth must be laid slightly above the level of the floor, although you may discover that yours is sunken into the floor, as they often were in the past. To achieve this, there are ready-made options made from stone, slate or marble, or you might prefer a bespoke, custom-built hearth to match the design and style of your room, which your Harlow fireplace builder will be happy to help you with.

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FIREPLACE DESIGNS AND STYLES

Due to the vast array of different fireplace styles, picking the best one might not be that clear-cut. You can find out what's currently on the market by visiting your nearest fireplace showroom or by going online. It usually pays to follow the recommendations of the sales team with regards to which fireplaces will be suited to your flue, chimney and ventilation situation, because some will not be.

The all round style that you are seeking to create, your existing decor and in some cases, the age of your home in Harlow, will to some degree affect whether you decide on a wood burner, a multi-fuel stove or an open fireplace. For example, a cast iron wood burning stove looks amazing set back in an inglenook fireplace, which highlights the character of the stove and also reflects the heat into the room to good effect.

Even if you haven't got an existing chimney breast in your Harlow home, it's still entirely possible to put in a wood burner stove. As a flue can be channeled through an exterior wall and has no requirement for an existing chimney, it is still feasible to install this type of fireplace.

ELECTRIC, GAS, OPEN, WOOD OR MULTI-FUEL FIREPLACE?

If this type of fireplace is not suitable for your Harlow home, what other alternatives are available?

Open Fireplaces - A crackling fire is a focus for any room and it has the ability to burn almost any solid fuel that is available. Modern fireplaces are no longer the smoky, draughty and inefficient features that they were in the past, and an open fire creates a warm, toasty environment for the enjoyment of its occupants.

Gas Fireplaces - Gas fires are a lot better than multi-fuel stoves or wood burners in relation to their thermal efficiency, and you will find an array of designs and sizes to suit any property in Harlow. Any gas fire put into your Harlow home must be installed by an approved Gas Safe tradesperson.

Multi-Fuel Stoves - As you will probably deduce from the name, these kinds of stoves can be fed a selection of different fuels, including coal, oil, wood or gas, and not only that, they can also become a unique focal point for your home in Harlow. One of the most well known brands of multi-fuel stoves is AGA, and these products can provide not only cheap heating for an entire house, but also hot water and cooking facilities.

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Wood Burning Stoves - Available in a vast selection of styles which can be a freestanding feature where needed, these versatile stoves can can benefit rooms both large and small. An added benefit of these is that they can provide piping hot water for personal use, or supply heating to another room by means of a radiator, when combined with a back boiler.

Electric Fireplaces - A wide variety of electric fires to suit any house in Harlow, can be easily fitted by any reasonable competent individual. Contemporary electric fires can deliver authentic looking flames and even the crackling sound of wood to replicate an open fire when set into into a traditional fireplace.

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Suggestions To Look After Your Fireplace And Lower Your Heating Expenses

With all of the current fears about the environment, the fireplace has lost some of its former charm, however it still is a favourite feature for many property owners in Harlow. The natural comfort of an open fireplace stimulates very special memories for those who've got them. Having a fireplace has its perks but there are a couple of drawbacks which could have an impact on its performance. With power costs increasing so rapidly these days, your fireplace needs to be a sound source of heat, not one of inefficiency. When a fire is burning, it might warm up those standing around it, but it can in fact pull warm air out of your room, making your heat source work even harder. The fireplace damper is expected to prevent cold air from coming in to your home when you don't have a fire going in the fireplace. Unfortunately, dampers sometimes have an inefficient seal, so cool air can get in, and warm air passes out.

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What most homeowners in Harlow don't know about their fireplace is that it doesn't necessarily do exactly what they assume it's doing. Rather than conserving resources, and heating costs, it's usually adding 100s of pounds of energy expenditure. However, there are some procedures that you can follow that can easily turn your budget busting fireplace into something much more efficient. Just about all you need to do is just four simple things boost the performance of your fireplace. These will make your present fireplace much more economical, and reduce your energy bills.

The initial thing to do is to replace the damper with a top sealing damper. A top sealing damper is installed toward the top end of your chimney which in turn also behaves the same as a storm door. It stops the internal air from getting out, and the outside air from going in, and functions in cold or hot weather. It doesn't take much time to fit and you can get one online. A second thing you're able to do should be to place a fire-back at the back of your fireplace. This is a cast iron plate which is designed to enhance the room decor, while shielding the back wall from being damaged by the fire. The fire-back also soaks up heat right from the fire and channels it back into the room, making your fireplace more effective.

Another thing that could also help is a fireplace fan/heater, which heats the air that's being circulated through an internal chamber, and blows it back inside the room. These fireplace heaters are put in place as closed systems to make sure they do not produce any smoke, but they're quite effective in warming your property. And finally, putting in glass doors, even though a bit on the costly side, can be helpful in making your open fireplace more cost-efficient. Browsing around, you should be able to find a bargain, and with instructions, you could possibly put them in yourself. These doors help to keep the heat from getting away plus it keeps children and pets from getting burnt.

Every one of these suggestions are simple to do, and the required products can be found on the internet. Take care of your fireplace and watch your energy costs drop.

Flue Linings

A safety feature that enables your chimney to function more efficiently, a chimney or flue liner is a crucial element of your chimney set-up that shouldn't be omitted. Manufactured from ceramic material, metal or clay, flue liners are conduits which are fitted to the inside of chimneys to carry toxic fumes to the outside. In accordance with their condition and age, older chimneys in Harlow may need to be relined, or may not have a flue lining at all.

The flue within your chimney can be impaired and eaten away and damaged by the toxic gases and fumes that form while a fire is burning. Be certain that your fireplace installer inspects the flue lining for possible issues and damage. The dangerous gases which are generated by a fire, can potentially seep into your living area if a flue is compromised. Defective flue linings can also trigger house fires - so make certain that you get them inspected!

Chimney Cowl Installation Harlow

A hood-shaped cover for your chimney, a chimney cowl adds draft and helps to stop backflow in your chimney system. Sitting neatly over your chimney pot, and normally produced from galvanised iron, it helps to stop the wind blowing smoke back down your chimney. It's a key element for any chimney in Harlow. A chimney cowl can be bought in a builder's merchants or on the internet. Whether you decide to make a pre-existing one work more efficiently, or acquire a new one, a chimney cowl will keep your stove or fireplace working to the best of its ability.

There are several sorts of chimney cowl on the market. There are pot hanging cowls that can be installed without the need to remove the chimney pot. They connect to the flue liner by means of 3 straps, which secure the cowl in position. Another style of cowl is a weathering cap, which is attached to the end of the flue system. It is bigger than the chimney pot, which ensures that it stays in position.

You can also find chimney cowls made from run-of-the-mill products, 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 products can be readily purchased at a local hardware store or on the web.

Chimney cowls are an easy way to prevent birds building nests in your chimney and blocking the whole thing up. They're relatively cheap and simple to install. You should make certain that you have clear access to the space above the chimney stack in order to fit one effectively. It can also stop dirt and debris from accumulating inside the chimney.

Harlow Fireplace Related Tasks

Fireplace Related Tasks Harlow

Your local Harlow fireplace installer can provide a broad range of services and tasks, and in addition to what's already been covered here they can do Regency fireplaces Harlow, Victorian fireplace installation, fireplace refurbishment, electric fireplace installations in Harlow, 2-sided fireplaces, fireplace design, fireplace cleaning, built-in gas fires, 3-sided fireplaces, marble fireplace installations, corner fireplaces in Harlow, contemporary fireplaces Harlow, outdoor fireplaces Harlow, limestone fireplace Harlow, modern fireplace installation, fire grate conversions in Harlow, chimney repairs, inglenook fireplace installations Harlow, fake fireplaces, wood mantels, fireplace surrounds in Harlow, fireplace fitting in Harlow, chimney modifications, elm fireplace installation, stone fireplaces, cast fireplace installations in Harlow, gas fireplace installations, fireplace repairs in Harlow, the installation of disigner fireplaces, traditional fireplaces Harlow, designer fireplaces, wood burning fireplace installation, fireplaces Harlow, open fireplaces, classic fireplaces, to mention a few. These services are just a few of those available from a local fireplace installer.

Essex Fireplace Installers Near Me Harlow

More Harlow Tradespeople: Ok, so you're currently looking for fireplace specialists in Harlow, however you could also need a stonemason in Harlow, a flooring specialist in Harlow, a heating engineer in Harlow, a damp proofer in Harlow, a bricklayer in Harlow, a general builder in Harlow, a carpenter/joiner in Harlow, a painter/decorator in Harlow, a roofing specialist in Harlow, a handyman in Harlow, a chimney sweep in Harlow, an electrician in Harlow, power washing in Harlow, a plasterer in Harlow, SKIP HIRE in Harlow, metalworkers in Harlow, a cleaner in Harlow, waste removal in Harlow, when carrying out any home improvement assignment in Harlow, Essex.

Fireplace Installers Near Harlow

Also find: Roydon fireplace installers, Tye Green fireplace installers, Matching Tye fireplace installers, Old Harlow fireplace installers, Temple Fields fireplace installers, Nazeing fireplace installers, Brays Grove fireplace installers, Gilston fireplace installers, Church Langley fireplace installers, Halls Green fireplace installers, Bush Fair fireplace installers, Newhall fireplace installers and more. Almost all of these villages and towns are covered by people who fit fireplaces. These tradespeople, with their expertise and knowledge, are well-equipped to perform successful fireplace installations in your property. Residents can experience the warmth, ambiance and comfort that a fireplace brings to their living areas with the assistance and help of these dedicated experts. If you're a local householder looking to obtain accurate and competitive fireplace installation quotes tailored to your specific needs, just click here. So, why not get cracking with your fireplace installation right away!

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(This fireplaces Harlow article was written on 22-02-2024)