Fireplace Fitter Highworth Wiltshire (SN6): Opening up an unused fireplace or putting in a new one is a wonderful way to add character to any room in your home in Highworth. Providing that you have a good supply of wood, adding a wood burning stove or open fire for those cold winters' evenings could even prove less expensive than conventional central heating systems. Combine a back boiler with your fireplace and you can enjoy supplies of endless hot water for even more savings.
Before any actual work proceeds, for example smashing down the walls of a boarded over fireplace or prising away at a blocked chimney breast, there are some vital things you need to contemplate. To start with, Part J of the UK Building Regulations will have to be adhered to with regards to the construction and installation of any chimney breasts, fireplaces, hearths and flue linings which are an integral part of a heating appliance in your house in Highworth. If your home is a listed building you'll also have to ascertain if planning permission is necessary from the local council before any work commences.
DIY OR PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION?
You might be able to do some of the remodeling work to a bricked-up fireplace if you have the ability needed, however safety and structural issues are often found which need to be resolved by a professional tradesperson. If you are fortunate when you expose a stopped up fireplace you might find a decent chimney breast, hearth and lintel that involves nothing other than the advice and services of a chimney sweep to get a toasty fire going. It's a lot more likely however, that you'll find a blocked flue and an area of old, crumbling brickwork that needs to be to be reinforced structurally to make sure that it's safe.
If a fireplace is installed in your property in Highworth and it is not put in correctly, there's not just a fire risk, but also of respiratory health conditions. Therefore, using a specialist fireplace fitter is highly recommended. According to the Building Regulations, a room that has a fireplace installed in it must have adequate airflow and oxygen to allow the fire to burn properly. If the airflow is not good enough then it is quite possible that a fire will burn inefficiently and cause a build-up of carbon monoxide, which can be lethal.
It might be necessary to install airflow vents in floors and walls to allow the fireplace to get adequate oxygen to burn safely and effectively all the time. Blocked off and unused chimney flues may also need to have air vents installed as they can often trap moist air within them causing damp to build up inside the chimney.
BEFORE WORK BEGINS
Huge quantities of muck and soot will enter your room when you are opening up a fireplace. In essence, this is an incredibly messy job. When possible it's advisable to remove any furniture and woven floor coverings from the room before any work starts in earnest, although a thoughtful Highworth fireplace installer will bring dust sheets to cover up your home furnishings and provide some form of protection. When it is merely a part of a bigger home refurbishment project, re-opening an unused fireplace should be one of the initial things to be worked on, due to the mess involved. This will prevent damage to other phases of your remodelling project (i.e. fresh plasterwork or wallpapered walls), by soot and dirt that's expelled.
CONSTRUCTION AND STRUCTURAL WORK
The time will come to sweep and clean the chimney and hearth and find out what is fit for refurbishment, once the fireplace has been opened up. One of the initial items on your to-do-list should be to bring in a professional chimney sweep who works in the Highworth area. In addition to cleaning the flue and chimney, they'll also assess the condition of your flue liner and chimney and tell you about any part of the flue and chimney structure that needs replacing.
Construction work might be essential to beef up the existing chimney and chimney breast, and it might also be necessary to install a new flue lining. All of this repair work will need to follow the current UK Building Regulations which are there for your own and your family's safety. An experienced fireplace installer and builder in Highworth will be needed to accomplish this work, and will need the knowledge and skills in construction to closely follow all building regulations.
In buildings that are older you may discover the original fireplace is too large for your purposes, in which case a new concrete lintel will be required to modify the opening. The installation, repair and upgrade of the fireplace hearth can commence as soon as the supporting lintel is in place. The legislation relating to fireplace hearths has somewhat changed through the years, and whilst in the old days they were frequently sunken into the floor, they now must be raised at least 12.5mm above the normal floor level if the current regulations are to be followed. Ready-made solutions from marble, granite or slate are available on the market to achieve this, or your fireplace builder in Highworth might be able to offer you a bespoke, custom-made hearth to fit in with your room style.
DESIGNS AND STYLES OF FIREPLACE
A trip to a fireplace showroom or a browse online will demonstrate the choices that are available for the different styles and designs of fireplaces. The recommendations and advice from your fireplace installers, which will be specific to your requirements, will enable you to choose a fireplace that is both perfect for your existing chimney and flue, as well as for your home's decor.
The overall look you are seeking to create, your current decor and in some cases, the age of your house in Highworth, will to some extent determine if you go for a wood burner, a multi-fuel stove or an open fireplace. As an example, the most perfect backdrop to a wood burning stove is an inglenook fireplace, which not only puts a focus on its beauty and charm but is also brilliant at redirecting the heat back into the room.
Even if you haven't got a chimney in your Highworth property, it's still entirely possible to put in a wood burning stove. A chimney isn't required as the flue is fitted to the top or rear of the stove and passed through an exterior wall.
MULTI-FUEL, ELECTRIC, GAS, OPEN OR WOOD FIREPLACE?
If your situation doesn't allow for a natural fireplace, what are the possible alternatives?
Electric Fireplaces - A popular choice for property owners in Highworth, these fireplaces can be fitted by pretty much any capable person, easily and safely. Modern electric fires can deliver convincing looking flames and even the sound of crackling wood to replicate an open fire when set into into an old fashioned fireplace.
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. A professionally installed open fire will be no comparison to the smoky old fireplace that was blocked up by previous owners, and its warm elegance is a delightful addition to any home in Highworth.
Gas Fireplaces - There are a variety of styles to suit all home types and their effectiveness in warming a room is better than wood burning stoves. Only a Gas Safe contractor is permitted to install these fires.
Wood Burning Stoves - These stoves come in modern or old-fashioned designs to go with the decor of your home, and they've recently become "the in thing" in many Highworth households. If used in tandem with a back boiler can provide hot water for radiators or for use in your house.
Multi-Fuel Stoves - As you'll doubtless assume from the name, these kinds of stoves can run on various different fuels, including wood, smokeless coal, oil or gas, and not only that, they can also become an interesting focal point for your home in Highworth. If linked up with your radiators or central heating system, some multi-fuel stoves (such as AGA) can provide heat for your entire property, in addition to cooking facilities, hot water and even outside BBQs.
Fireplace installation providers can be located in Kempsford, Longcot, Fernham, Great Coxwell, Shrivenham, South Marston, Stanton Fitzwarren, Watchfield, Stratton, Hannington, Haydon Wick, Broad Blunsdon, in these postcodes: , SN6 7PA, SN6 7HU, SN6 7NZ, SN6 7NF, SN6 7HQ, SN6 7NR, SN6 7FH, SN6 7NB, and SN6 7JX, as well as in Highworth itself. A couple of hints which imply that a fireplace installer hails from the Highworth area is if they've got the postcode SN6 and the dialling code 01793. This could be one of the things that you can verify if you wish to make certain that you hire a locally based fireplace fitter. Highworth people have lots of choices when they are hunting for fireplace services.
Chimney Cowl Installation Highworth
A chimney cowl is a hood-shaped cover that can be installed over your chimney to improve the draft and stop smoke from backing up your chimney. It's designed to prevent the wind blowing smoke down the chimney, and is typically manufactured from galvanised iron. This should be an integral part of any fireplace in Highworth. You should install a cowl on your chimney in Highworth if you to fully enjoy the key benefits of a fireplace.
A chimney cowl can also help to protect your home and keep you secure. There are numerous sorts of chimney cowl available on the market, each one is designed to address different problems. Before buying one, consider a few aspects to make certain you get one that will help protect your property. Once you know exactly what you need, you can then pick a chimney cowl based on your budget and needs.
Chimney cowls are also available that are made from run-of-the-mill objects, like a stainless steel colander or steel bucket. Ordinary chicken wire can also be used to make a cowl. Clay flower pots also make decent chimney cowls. These products can be purchased on the internet or at your local hardware store.
One of the most common sorts of chimney cowls is the H-style. This design is the most effective at stabilising the draught and enables your fireplace to perform more efficiently. It is made out of a series of H-shaped pipes that isolate the combustion gases from down draughts. It originally served marine applications, but has become popular among property owners due to its energy-saving functionality.
Another type is the Aerodyne cowl. It works by drawing air into the chimney cowl and lowering downdraught. These are available in a range of colours. Its venturi shape draws air into the chimney cowl, creating a drop in air pressure that draws air upward from the stove or fireplace. Other types of chimney cowl include: aspirotor chimney cowls, rotating chimney cowls, anti-downdraught chimney cowls, bonnet chimney cowls, birdguards and static chimney cowls.
Chimney cowls are a great way to stop birds nesting in your chimney in Highworth. They're inexpensive and easy to put in. You should ensure that you have clear access to the area above the chimney stack to fit one. It can also stop debris from accumulating inside the chimney.
Chimney Repair
Both residential and commercial chimney systems in Highworth should be regularly repaired to maintain their efficiency, functionality and safety. Chimneys can be damaged with the passage of time by the byproducts of combustion, temperature fluctuations, and the effects of the weather. Expert and timely attention is required for the range of issues that can be caused by these factors.
The development of cracks in the chimney structure is one of the most common problems that necessitate chimney repair. Moisture seepage can be increased by such cracks, which can lead to additional damage and affect the structural stability of the chimney. Cracks in the chimney can pose serious health hazards to any occupants of the building by allowing dangerous gases, including carbon monoxide, to escape into the living spaces. (13096)
Highworth Fireplace Related Tasks
The selection of tasks and services that can be carried out by your local fireplace fitter are wide and varied, and will include things like wood burning fireplaces, outdoor fireplaces Highworth, limestone fireplace installations in Highworth, fireplace packages, open fireplaces, fireplace installation, stone fireplaces in Highworth, chimney repairs in Highworth, period fireplaces, marble fireplace surrounds, contemporary fireplaces Highworth, corner fireplaces in Highworth, gas fireplace installations in Highworth, marble fireplaces, classic fireplaces in Highworth, bespoke fireplaces, stone fireplace installations in Highworth, elm fireplaces Highworth, electric fireplace installation, gas fireplaces in Highworth, the installation of modern fireplaces, fake fireplace installations, double-sided stoves, fire grate conversions, fireplace cleaning in Highworth, fireplaceprices in Highworth, fireplace inserts Highworth, 3-sided fireplaces, flue lining inspections, fireplace services, fireplace design, electric fireplaces, oak beam fireplaces, Victorian fireplaces in Highworth, chimney sweeping, and others not mentioned here. Highworth specialists, when approached, will let you know the whole range of fireplace services that are available when needed.
Fireplace Installers Near Highworth
Also find: Fernham fireplace installers, Stratton fireplace installers, Haydon Wick fireplace installers, Shrivenham fireplace installers, Broad Blunsdon fireplace installers, Hannington fireplace installers, Great Coxwell fireplace installers, Watchfield fireplace installers, South Marston fireplace installers, Longcot fireplace installers, Kempsford fireplace installers, Stanton Fitzwarren fireplace installers and more. Fireplace installers are ready and able to serve folks living in the majority of these towns and locations. With the requisite experience and knowledge, these versatile tradespeople are adept at adeptly installing fireplaces in your property. These dedicated professionals can assist residents in experiencing the atmosphere, comfort and warmth that a fireplace brings to their living areas. Local home and property owners can get fireplace installation estimates by going here.
More Highworth Tradespeople: Any time you're thinking of doing improvements to your home in Highworth, Wiltshire, it's quite possible that you will need various different tradespeople during the course of the project, and while you may be currently searching for a local Highworth fireplace installer, you could also require the services of a painter and decorator in Highworth, SKIP HIRE in Highworth, a floor fitter in Highworth, an electrician in Highworth, brick cleaning in Highworth, roof cleaning in Highworth, a carpenter and joiner in Highworth, an odd job man in Highworth, a chimney sweep in Highworth, a bricklayer in Highworth, a stonemason in Highworth, waste removal in Highworth, a tiler in Highworth, a plumber in Highworth, a building contractor in Highworth, a roofer in Highworth, a plasterer in Highworth, metalworkers in Highworth, and more.
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