Fireplace Fitter Hellesdon Norfolk (NR6): Re-opening an old disused fireplace to put in a wood burner, multi fuel or open fire is a good way to add some character and a homely feel to any Hellesdon property. The addition of a multi-fuel stove or open fire for those chilly winters' evenings can even be cheaper than certain central heating systems, so long as you have a ready source of wood or fuel. If used in combination with a back boiler it can provide you with plentiful hot water in the process.
Before you go chipping away at a blocked up chimney there are some things you will need to think about to ensure you can install your new fireplace in a safe and efficient way. Any combustible appliance installed in domestic homes in Hellesdon must comply with Part J of the building regs, and this applies to chimney breasts, fireplaces, hearths and flue linings. If your property is a listed building you'll also need to ascertain if planning permission is required from the local authorities before any work begins.
PROFESSIONAL OR DIY FIREPLACE INSTALLATION?
If you're an enthusiastic and competent DIY'er it may be quite possible to restore a blocked or bricked-up fireplace, however the chance of running into structural issues in many cases is regrettably high. It might be your good fortune when you remove the covering from a disused fireplace to find a hidden treasure which requires nothing more than a good clear out and a check from a chimney sweep to get a roaring fire going. What you'll most likely find is an area of crumbling bricks that hides issues such as a lintel that needs to be replaced or a blocked up chimney.
It is generally better to take comfort from the knowledge and experience of a specialist fireplace fitter in Hellesdon, because of the severe fire and health risk issues that can result from an improperly fitted or renovated fireplace. Airflow must be sufficient in any room which has a fireplace; in fact it's a key requirement of the Building Regulations (Part J) that this is so. A build-up of poisonous carbon monoxide can result in a space where there's inadequate airflow, and death or serious injury is possible when a fire does not burn effectively.
To get past this problem a professional Hellesdon fireplace fitter will assess the circumstances and install vents in the room, or beneath the floors, to ensure an adequate air flow for the fire to burn safely and effectively. Unused and blocked up chimney flues may also have to have air vents fitted because they can often trap moist air inside them and cause damp to build up inside the chimney breast.
BEFORE WORK BEGINS
It is amazing just how much dirt and soot can accumulate inside an old fireplace and chimney and you won't know exactly what is there until you uncover it. A decent Hellesdon fireplace installer will bring coverings for your home furnishings and provide some form of protection, but it is wise where possible to remove furniture and carpets from the room before any work starts in earnest. If you are lucky enough to be working on a full renovation then it should be one of the first tasks to concentrate on before you re-plaster or decorate the walls. This should help to prevent any discolouration damage by dirt and chimney soot to any completed work.
STRUCTURAL & CONSTRUCTION WORK
Once you have revealed your old fireplace you will have a better understanding of the work that needs to be done, and also be able to sweep the chimney and clear out any sections of hearth that can be re-used. Contacting a chimney sweep to clean your chimney is one of the very first items on your to-do-list. Not only will they ensure that your chimney and flue are nice and clean, but they can additionally determine the condition of the flue liner and existing chimney and provide guidance if you need to upgrade any area of the chimney and flue.
If it is necessary to install a new flue liner or strengthen the chimney all relevant Building Regulations must be adhered to. These are projects that need to be done by a competent builder with knowledge of the relevant regulations and sound construction skills.
If you need to adjust the width of opening of your original fireplace to something smaller and more suitable for your design, a concrete supporting lintel should be put in. Once this has been completed the next phase for your Hellesdon fireplace installation will be to modernise the hearth. If the current hearth is set into the floor you will have to raise it above floor level to observe the latest building regs. Pre-made options from slate, marble or concrete are available to accomplish this, or your fireplace fitter in Hellesdon may be able to offer a bespoke, made to measure hearth to complement the style of your room.
STYLES OF FIREPLACE
A quick browse online or a visit to a fireplace showroom will illustrate the choices that are available for the different designs and styles of fireplaces. Every fireplace will not be suitable for your existing flue and chimney and it is wise to accept any advice and guidance from your installation team with regards to your particular situation.
Whether you decide on a multi-fuel stove, an open fireplace or a wood burner will be based on the all round style you're trying to establish, your existing decor and in some situations, the age of your home. If you've got an old-fashioned inglenook fireplace, a wood burning stove can look stunning in this surrounding, and has the added benefit of effectively deflecting the heat back into the room from the stone or brick walls that surround the stove.
Even if you don't have a chimney breast in your Hellesdon home, it is still possible to install a wood burning or multi fuel stove. This form of fireplace can be installed with a stainless steel flue that's routed through an outside wall and does not require a chimney, to be installed safely.
ELECTRIC, MULTI-FUEL, GAS, OPEN OR WOOD FIREPLACE?
The feel and ambience of an open fire cannot be matched, but what options are out there if this style of fireplace isn't possible in your Hellesdon property?
Open Fireplaces - Provides a stunning focal point for your room and can be used with an assortment of solid fuels. A skillfully fitted modern open fire is far from the old style smoky fireplace that was boarded up by past owners, and its glowing charm is a welcome addition to any home in Hellesdon.
Multi-Fuel Stoves - Multi-fuel stoves provide you with the option of using gas, coal, oil and wood to deliver a multipurpose stove for any property in Hellesdon. They can be used not merely for heating a single room, but some types such as the AGA range, can provide useful cooking areas, supply hot water and can be used to heat the whole property if they are plumbed into an existing radiator network.
Electric Fireplaces - Straightforward installation and a varied choice of styles make electric fireplaces an extremely popular choice for Hellesdon homes without a chimney. Can be set into conventional fireplaces, and with "real feel" electric fires it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish one from the genuine article.
Wood Burning Stoves - A whole host of different styles to suit any type of property in Hellesdon, and can even be freestanding. A model with an integrated back boiler will supply supplementary heating by connecting the hot water to radiators in cold spots in your property.
Gas Fireplaces - Available in a range of styles to suit your property and are generally more efficient (thermally) than open fireplaces. Have to be professionally fitted and maintained by a Gas Safe certified technician.
Fireplace installers are accessible in Felthorpe, Weston Longville, Easton, Ringland, Heigham Grove, Little Melton, Bowthorpe, Clover Hill, Bawburgh, Earlham, Rackheath, Chapel Break, in the following postcodes: NR6 5NE, , NR6 5HB, NR6 5JN, NR6 5SB, NR5 0LB, NR6 5AB, NR6 5HA, NR6 5PH, and NR6 5NT, and in Hellesdon itself. If a fireplace company has the phone code 01603 and the postcode NR6, you can presume that they hail from the Hellesdon area. This could be one of the things you can verify if you would like to guarantee that you hire a local fireplace fitter. Hellesdon householders can utilise these and countless other fireplace services.
Flues
Enabling your chimney to perform much more effectively, a chimney or flue liner is a vital part of your chimney set-up. Installed inside chimneys to transport fumes to the outside, flue liners are conduits made from ceramic material, clay or metal. Some older chimneys in Hellesdon might not even be fitted with a flue liner, or if the current lining is compromised, may have to be relined.
The harmful gases and fumes that are generated when you burn a fire can cause damage to your chimney's flue. While it's being cleaned, get the sweep or fireplace specialist to inspect your flue lining for any damages or any chances of it deteriorating in the foreseeable future. Rather than expelling those toxic gases outdoors, a broken flue lining can enable them to leak into your living area. There is an added hazard with busted flue liners, in that they might permit extreme heat to penetrate the structure of the chimney, which may result in fires.
Chimney Sweeping Hellesdon
It is easy to postpone a routine household chore like sweeping the chimney, but if you've got an open fire or a wood burning stove, it really is essential that this is done frequently. It's advised that you sweep and clean the chimney at least once yearly.
This can be an unpleasant job, so it is best to bring in a qualified Hellesdon chimney sweep. If there are any issues with your chimney, the chimney sweep will be able to identify them and let you know about them.
Regular sweeping prevents a build-up of soot, ash and wood tar, a common cause of chimney fires. Badly maintained chimneys can also cause another hazardous situation by drawing carbon monoxide gas back into your house.
Check that your chosen chimney sweep in Hellesdon is properly covered by public liability insurance, and is knowledgeable in this field. GO HERE to get chimney sweeping quotes for the Hellesdon area. You can also obtain chimney sweeping services in nearby areas.
How To Keep Your Fireplace And Lower Your Heating Bills
With all of the current worries about the environment, the open fireplace has lost some of its allure, but it's still a favourite feature for many in Hellesdon. Sitting in front of the warmth of a fireplace, revives many cherished memories for a lot of people. There are numerous benefits to having a fireplace although there are a few drawbacks that may need to be dealt with. As energy costs go up, you'll want to make certain that your fireplace is giving you heat in an efficient way. When you have a fire roaring in the fireplace, it can literally take away warm air away from the room, making your heater work harder. If you do not have a fire, the damper is supposed to keep heat in. However, dampers often have an inadequate seal, so cold air gets in, and warm air will go out.
Many homeowners that possess a fireplace in their residence in Hellesdon do not understand how the fireplace can have an effect on their energy bill. Rather than keeping the cost of heating down, it could actually do the exact opposite if one is not careful. There's a simple way to take your less than efficient fireplace, and remake it into a heat generating system that your budget will love. There are 4 simple things that you could do to make your fireplace into a cost-effective heat resource. Each of these should make your fireplace very cost effective and more efficient.
The very first thing that must be done is to replace the current damper with a new top sealing damper. This type of damper is installed at the top end of the chimney, and works like a storm door. It will keep the internal air from getting out, and the outside air from entering, and performs in hot or cold weather. This is not going to take a lot of time to install and you can order one online. Another thing that you can do would be to position a fire-back at the back of your fireplace. It is made of cast iron and is used to enhance the appearance of your fireplace while at the same time shielding the back wall from heat damage. The fire-back gets warmed up by the open fire and reflects the heat back into the room, consequently improving the overall efficiency of the fireplace.
Another cost saver is a fireplace heater/fan, which heats the area by pulling the air into a heat chamber and returning the air back into the room. These heaters don't produce any smoke and are be extremely successful in keeping your family home warm and cosy. And finally, installing glass doors, even though a bit on the pricey side, can be beneficial in making your fireplace more cost-efficient. If you do some groundwork, you can actually get a great deal on glass doors and they aren't too hard to install yourself. Glass doors is able to keep the air in your house from escaping and also help to save your children and pets from fires.
All these ideas are straightforward to implement, and the products can be sourced online. Get the best from your fireplace and watch your energy costs fall.
Hellesdon Fireplace Related Tasks
There is a range of work that can be conducted by your local Hellesdon fireplace fitter including electric fire suites, fireplace installation Hellesdon, multifuel stove installation, fireplace fitting, inset stove installations Hellesdon, corner fireplaces Hellesdon, fireplace refurbishment in Hellesdon, electric fireplaces, inglenook fireplace installations in Hellesdon, chimney repairs in Hellesdon, modern fireplace installation in Hellesdon, fire grate conversions Hellesdon, designer fireplaces Hellesdon, gas fireplace installations, marble fireplace installations, period fireplaces Hellesdon, electric fireplace installations in Hellesdon, hearth fireplaces Hellesdon, flue liners, cast iron fireplace installations, elm fireplaces Hellesdon, fireplaces, wood burning fireplace installations, brick fireplace installation, cast iron fireplaces, fireplace cleaning in Hellesdon, fireplace packages Hellesdon, reclaimed fireplaces Hellesdon, fake fireplace installations, marble fireplaces, fireplaceestimates, fireplace surrounds Hellesdon, Victorian fireplaces Hellesdon, fireplace suites in Hellesdon, traditional fireplaces Hellesdon, fireplace replacement, and lots more. Listed are just a handful of the tasks that are conducted by people fitting fireplaces. Hellesdon professionals will keep you informed about their entire range of fireplace services.
Fireplace Installers Near Hellesdon
Also find: Easton fireplace installers, Clover Hill fireplace installers, Earlham fireplace installers, Felthorpe fireplace installers, Chapel Break fireplace installers, Weston Longville fireplace installers, Bowthorpe fireplace installers, Heigham Grove fireplace installers, Little Melton fireplace installers, Bawburgh fireplace installers, Ringland fireplace installers, Rackheath fireplace installers and more. Companies who install fireplaces can be found in all these towns and localities. To successfully install fireplaces in your home, these seasoned tradesmen possess the necessary knowledge and experience. Thanks to the support from these dedicated experts, residents can relish the cosy atmosphere and warmth a fireplace provides in their living environments. To obtain fireplace installation quotes, local homeowners can simply click here.
More Hellesdon Tradespeople: Undoubtedly, whenever you happen to be doing home improvements and repairs in Hellesdon, Norfolk, you will probably be in need of all sorts of different tradesmen and along with fireplace installers in Hellesdon, Norfolk, you might also need an odd job man in Hellesdon, SKIP HIRE in Hellesdon, a carpenter and joiner in Hellesdon, a stonemason in Hellesdon, a tiler in Hellesdon, a plasterer in Hellesdon, metalworkers in Hellesdon, a plumber in Hellesdon, a blacksmith in Hellesdon, a bricklayer in Hellesdon, a painter and decorator in Hellesdon, a general builder in Hellesdon, waste removal in Hellesdon, a roofing contractor in Hellesdon, an electrician in Hellesdon, a chimney sweep in Hellesdon, and several other different Hellesdon tradesmen.
Fireplaces Hellesdon
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Fireplace Installation HellesdonFor local Hellesdon information click here
Fireplace installation in NR6 area, 01603.