Fireplace Fitter Hartley Kent (DA3): If you're fed up with rising energy costs and would like to find an alternative method for heating your property in Hartley, why don't you open up a disused fireplace and put in a budget friendly wood burner, open or multi-fuel fire? As long as you have a ready source of fuel, the addition of an open fire or wood burning stove for those chilly winter evenings could even prove more economical than traditional central heating systems. Combine a back boiler with your fireplace and you'll be able to benefit from constant supplies of hot water for even more savings.
Before you start prising away at a bricked-up chimney there are a few things you'll need to consider to make certain you can safely install your new fireplace. Any heating appliance in domestic homes in Hartley must comply with Part J of the UK's buildings regs, and this covers hearths, chimney breasts, flue linings and fireplaces. Also, you'll want to ascertain whether planning permission is required from the local authorities before any work is started, if you own a listed building or live in designated conservation area in Hartley.
PROFESSIONAL OR DIY FIREPLACE INSTALLATION?
If any building work is associated with your fireplace installation project, safety and structural issues could arise that have to be resolved by a professional tradesperson, although an enthusiastic and competent DIYer may be able to take on a straightforward restoration of a pre-existing fireplace. When you uncover the old fireplace, you could be lucky and discover that in order to get a roaring fire once more, it needs little more than a decent clean out of the hearth and a quick chimney sweep. What is more typical however is a patch of crumbling brickwork covering a blocked flue, and needs some degree of structural modification before it can be used safely.
Hiring a certified fireplace fitter in Hartley is generally recommended, as an incorrectly installed fireplace can cause serious risk of fire and respiratory health problems. A major part of the Building Regulations (Part J) for fireplaces is that sufficient oxygen is available in a room for the fire to burn efficiently and properly. Carbon monoxide gas (which is toxic) can build-up in an inadequately ventilated room where a fire that is burning inefficiently is installed.
To guarantee an adequate amount of air flow for the fire to burn efficiently and safely, a professional fireplace installation crew will consider the situation at hand and install vents around the room, or underneath the floor, thus solving this issue. To increase air movement inside blocked or unused chimney flues, the fireplace installation technician might also need to fit vents to stop condensed air becoming trapped and producing staining and damp areas.
BEFORE WORK COMMENCES
Chimneys are renowned for the huge volume of dirt and soot that can build-up inside them, consequently when you set out to open up a fireplace you should assume that it will be a fairly messy affair. When feasible it is advisable to remove woven floor coverings and furniture from the area before any work commences, although a fireplace installer will bring dust sheets to protect for your furniture. The opening up of an old fireplace should be one of the initial tasks that you tackle, when it's a part of a bigger home restoration project. This will help to prevent any impairment by soot and other chimney dirt to any completed work.
CONSTRUCTION & STRUCTURAL WORK
With the fireplace opened up, it's time to determine what needs to be renovated and to give the chimney and hearth a good clean. One of the first items on your agenda should be to get in touch with a professional chimney sweep who works in and around Hartley. Whilst cleaning and sweeping, they'll be in a good position to evaluate the structural integrity of your flue and chimney, and advise what's necessary to get everything working properly.
Following a chimney sweeps examination it may be necessary to strengthen the chimney breast and/or install a new flue liner in keeping with Part J of the UK Building Regulations. A reliable fireplace installer and builder in Hartley will be needed to complete this work, and will need the knowledge and skills in construction to follow all building regulations.
There are no guarantees that the dimensions of the uncovered fireplace will correspond with the layout that you've got in mind, which means that it may be necessary to install a steel or concrete lintel. And after that, restoring or replacing the hearth will be the next step in your fireplace installation in Hartley. In earlier times the hearth was normally sunken into a hole in the floor, but the current UK Building Regulations require it to be raised slightly above normal floor level. Ready-made solutions from marble, stone or slate are available on the market to accomplish this, or your fireplace fitter in Hartley may be able to offer you a bespoke, custom-made hearth to fit in with your room style.
FIREPLACE STYLE
You'll quickly realise that you're spoiled for choice, with the wide range of different choices that are available, once step through the door of a quality fireplace outlet. It is recommended to follow the specialist advice of the installation team, since all fireplaces will not be suitable for your particular chimney and flue.
In choosing the type and design of fireplace that is the best option for your specific situation, you will want to consider the age of your home in Hartley, and the theme that you are aiming to achieve in your room or space. For example, an inglenook fireplace can be a perfect backdrop for a traditional cast iron wood burning stove, which highlights its character and deflects the heat into the room.
It is still viable to put in a multi-fuel or wood burning stove, even if there isn't a chimney structure in your Hartley property. This style of fireplace can be fitted with its own flue that is taken through an external wall and does not need a chimney, to be safely installed.
GAS, OPEN, ELECTRIC, WOOD OR MULTI-FUEL FIREPLACE?
If your circumstances do not allow for the installation of a natural fireplace, what are all the possible options?
Electric Fireplaces - Electric fireplaces can be fitted safely and quickly by anybody who's reasonable competent and there are styles that are suitable for almost any room and property in Hartley. When set into a traditional fireplace, contemporary electric fires can imitate an actual fire, with convincing looking flames and occasionally even the crackling sound of wood.
Open Fireplaces - Provides a focal point for your room and can use a number of different solid fuels. In the bad old days an open fire might have had the associations with being inefficient, smoky and draughty, however a skillfully fitted contemporary fireplace is a joy to sit in front of and laze in the warm glow it provides.
Multi-Fuel Stoves - As you'll likely guess from the name, these types of stoves can run on a selection of fuels, including oil, wood, gas or smokeless coal, and furthermore, they can also introduce an excellent focal point for your living space. If connected to your radiator system, some of the multi-fuel stoves (such as the AGA range) can provide you with heat for your entire property, in conjunction with hot water, cooking facilities and even outdoor barbeques.
Gas Fireplaces - There are a wide variety of designs to suit any house in Hartley, and as they provide instantaneous heat, they're more efficient (thermally) than wood burners in general. Any gas fireplace in your Hartley property must be installed by an authorised Gas Safe heating engineer.
Wood Burning Stoves - These stoves come in classic or contemporary designs to suit your decor, and they have become "the in thing" in many Hartley homes. An integrated back boiler is an additional benefit and could provide steaming hot water for personal use, or to provide heating for the house via radiators.
Flue Liners
A crucial part of the chimney structure on your property, a flue liner improves the safety of your chimney whilst allowing it to function more effectively than it would if it didn't have one. Running the entire length of the chimney, flue liners are ducts manufactured from various different materials including clay, metal or ceramics. They transport toxic fumes outside your home. Chimneys on older houses in Hartley may not be fitted with flue linings at all, or will need to be relined based on their age and condition.
Hazardous gases and fumes are created by the burning of fires and these can harm the flue of your fireplace. Ensure that your fireplace installer assesses the flue lining for damage and potential issues. You need to prevent those dangerous gases from seeping into your living area, which is what can come about when a flue is impaired. When a flue lining is impaired it can subject the chimney structure to extreme heat, which can in turn increase the risk of a house fire.
Natural Stone Fireplaces Hartley
If you really want to make an impression with your fireplace, there's no better way than to build one using natural stone. This is the perfect way to bring a feel of the outdoors, inside! It's possible the exterior of your home already boasts some natural features, such as stone boundary walls or a stone facade. This could be a way to match those features on the inside.
You can create a natural stone fireplace by using either a full-depth stone or a thinner stone cladding, and the one that you opt for might be subject to your taste and how much money you are able to spend. There is also a wide selection of stone types that you can choose from, including: quartz, granite, slate, marble, sandstone or limestone.
The appearance of your new fireplace will be affected by the methodology used by the tradesman or stonemason who builds it, the style of building (mortar joints or dry stone) and the sort of stone which is used. You should get some photos prepared featuring the kind of design you're interested in, and before any work begins, you can show them to your fireplace company.
There's no doubt that stone fireplaces are usually more suited to older buildings, and might be a bit too striking and dominant for the modern home. But the choice, as they say, is yours.
Fireplace Inserts
Among property owners in Hartley looking to enhance their traditional fireplaces, fireplace inserts are a widely favoured choice. By redirecting more heat into the room and minimizing heat loss, these inserts are designed to enhance the efficiency of a fireplace. The inconvenience and mess of old-fashioned wood-burning fireplaces are eliminated with these inserts, offering a safer and more comfortable way to enjoy the enchanting effect of a fire.
There is a wide assortment of fireplace inserts to choose from, in a variety of sizes and styles, ranging from electric to gas and wood-burning models. Opting for gas fireplace inserts provides a low-maintenance and hassle-free choice, while electric inserts offer adaptability and convenience with their variable settings and remote control. Property owners who appreciate the true experience of a crackling fire and the fragrance of burning wood will find wood-burning inserts to be the ideal solution.
Alongside their efficiency and convenience, fireplace inserts are also environmentally friendly. Conventional fireplace pollution is reduced through the efficient burning of fuel and the production of fewer emissions.
Having a professional installation is crucial to guarantee the safe and correct installation of a fireplace insert. Fireplace inserts offer numerous benefits, making them an excellent investment for property owners seeking to enhance the convenience, comfort, and value of their property.
Chimney Sweep Hartley
If you have an open fire or a stove in your home, it is advisable to get your chimney swept on a regular basis. It is usually advised that at least once yearly your chimney should be cleaned and swept.
It's invariably best to call in a specialist Hartley chimney sweep if you want to get this work done properly. If there are any problems with your chimney, your chimney sweep will be in a position to spot them and let you know about them.
Neglecting to sweep your chimney in Hartley can soon result in an accumulation of soot, ash and wood tar which can lead to chimney fires. An equally dangerous situation that can arise as a result of a badly maintained chimney is odourless carbon monoxide fumes being drawn back into your house.
You will doubtless now appreciate the importance of hiring a reputable chimney sweep in Hartley, and also one who's covered by adequate public liability insurance. To book your chimney sweep in Hartley CLICK HERE.
Chimney Cowl Installation Hartley
The hood-shaped cover that can be installed over your chimney pot to increase the draft and stop smoke from backing up is called a chimney cowl. Often composed of galvanized iron, the chimney cowl is designed to stop the wind from blowing smoke down the chimney and causing an issue inside the building. To enjoy the benefits of a fireplace fully, it's advised that you add a cowl to your chimney.
A chimney cowl can also help to protect your dwelling and keep you secure. There are different kinds of chimney cowl available on the market, each designed to address different problems. Before you buy one, consider a few aspects to ensure that you get one that will help safeguard your house. When you know exactly what you need, you can then select a chimney cowl to suit your needs and budget.
One of the most common kinds of chimney cowls is the H-style. This pattern is one of the best for controlling the draught and enables your fireplace to perform more efficiently. It's made out of a series of H-shaped pipes that isolate the combustion gases from down draughts. It was originally designed for marine applications, but has become popular among householders due to its energy-saving attributes.
Another kind is the Aerodyne cowl. It works by drawing air into the chimney cowl and lowering downdraught. These are available in a variety of colours. Its venturi shape draws air into the chimney cowl, creating a drop in air pressure that draws air upwards from the stove or fireplace. Other types of chimney cowl include: aspirotor chimney cowls, bonnet chimney cowls, anti-downdraught chimney cowls, revolving chimney cowls, static chimney cowls and birdguards.
Chimney cowls are a great way to prevent birds nesting in your chimney in Hartley. They are inexpensive and simple to install. You should make certain you have clear access to the space above the chimney in order to install one effectively. It can also stop debris from accumulating inside the chimney. Ask your local fireplace installer in Hartley if they can fit a suitable chimney cowl for you.
Coming Soon:
Carbon monoxide detector installation - article 231.
Fireplace Installers Near Hartley
Also find: South Darenth fireplace installers, Upper Halling fireplace installers, Luddesdown fireplace installers, Trottiscliffe fireplace installers, Vigo fireplace installers, Istead Rise fireplace installers, Cuxton fireplace installers, Stanstead fireplace installers, Shorne fireplace installers, Longfield fireplace installers, Horton Kirby fireplace installers, Higham fireplace services and more.
Hartley Fireplace Related Tasks
Your local fireplace company can accomplish an extensive range of tasks and services including fireplace removal in Hartley, stone fireplace installation in Hartley, freestanding stoves in Hartley, brick fireplace installation, electric fireplaces, gas fireplaces, fireplace hearths, marble fireplace surrounds, carbon monoxide detector installation, fire grate conversions, flue lining, period fireplaces, limestone fireplaces, open fireplaces, tiled fireplaces Hartley, fireplace packages, inset stove installations, three-sided fireplaces in Hartley, stone fireplaces, fireplace repairs in Hartley, wood burning fireplaces, chimney lining Hartley, marble fireplaces, chimney modifications Hartley, cheap fireplaces, hearth-mounted electric fires, fireplacequotations, 2-sided fireplaces, gas fireplace installations, inglenook fireplace installations, wood burning fireplace installation, fireplaces, the installation of modern fireplaces, made-to-measure fireplaces Hartley, Victorian fireplaces Hartley, and more. These are just a few of the activities that are undertaken by a locally based fireplace installer. Hartley professionals operating in the local area will let you know the full range of fireplace services which are on offer.
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