Fireplace Fitter Horbury West Yorkshire (WF4): A splendid way to add character to any Horbury home is by the installation of a new fireplace, or the renovation of an existing one. The addition of an open fire or multi-fuel stove for those chilly winter evenings can even prove cheaper than a regular central heating system, providing that you have a ready source of wood or fuel. If combined with a back boiler it can supply you with plentiful piping hot water in the process.
There are some important considerations you must think of before you start any work, if you are to establish an attractive, safe and efficient fireplace in your home. Any combustible appliance installed in domestic homes in Horbury must conform to Part J of the Building Regulations, and this covers fireplaces, chimney breasts, hearths and flue linings.
DIY OR PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION?
If you have the ability needed, and are a competent and enthusiastic DIY fanatic you may be capable of doing some of the renovation work on a pre-existing fireplace, but the help of a tradesperson might be required if safety or structural issues arise during the process. If you're lucky when you open up a stopped up fireplace you might find a decent lintel, hearth and chimney breast that needs nothing other than the advice and services of a chimney sweep to get it ready for a fire once more. What you'll more likely discover is a wall of old, crumbling bricks that conceals issues such as a lintel that needs replacing or a blocked up chimney.
A wrongly fitted fireplace can cause serious respiratory health problems and fire risk and should only be fitted by a specialist fireplace installer in Horbury with the experience and knowledge to do the job effectively. A key part of Part J of the Building Regulations for fireplaces is that enough oxygen is available in a room for a fire to burn efficiently and properly. If there's not enough airflow then it's quite possible that a fire will burn inefficiently and cause carbon monoxide to build up, which can be lethal.
To allow the fireplace to receive plenty of oxygen to combust safely and properly at all times, it may be a requirement for a competent fireplace installation engineer to fit airflow vents in flooring and walls. Moist air can frequently get trapped in unused chimney flues which may also need to have vents installed to improve air circulation, and prevent problems with damp inside the chimney breast.
BEFORE WORK STARTS
Opening up an old fireplace can create large amounts of grime and soot. When possible it's sensible to remove any carpets and furniture from the area before any work commences, although a considerate Horbury fireplace installer will bring dust sheets to protect for your home furnishings. When it is merely part of a bigger home renovation project, re-opening a disused fireplace ought to be one of the very first tasks to be worked on, due to the mess that is involved. By opening up a fireplace first you'll avoid any chimney soot causing damage to other parts of your renovation project, such as fresh plasterwork or wallpapered walls.
CONSTRUCTION & STRUCTURAL WORK
You'll have a greater idea about the renovation work that needs to be done, when you've exposed the old fireplace. You will also be able to get the chimney swept and clean any of the hearth that has survived. You now need to get hold of your chimney sweep, if you haven't already done so, to come and clean the old chimney and fireplace. A chimney sweep will firstly clean the flue and whilst doing this can inspect the structural condition of the chimney and provide you with guidance on whether a new flue liner is needed.
If you need to install a new flue liner or strengthen the chimney all UK Building Regulations must be adhered to. A competent fireplace installer in Horbury will be needed to accomplish this work, and should have the knowledge and skills in construction to closely follow all regulations.
If it is necessary to change the width of opening of your original fireplace to something smaller and more suitable for your new design, a supporting lintel will have to be put in. The upgrade, installation and renovation of the fireplace hearth can go ahead as soon as the supporting lintel is in place. To remain in accordance with the present building regs, the hearth of a fireplace needs to be laid at least 12.5mm above floor level, although you might find that your hearth is sunken into the floor, as they frequently were in the old days. You can select from an array of popular shape and size hearths to complement the decor of your home, or there are made to measure solutions to fit most styles and sizes of fireplace. You should your fireplace builder in Horbury about precisely what's currently available.
DESIGNS AND STYLES OF FIREPLACE
If you pay a visit to a fireplace showroom you will find that you have plenty of choice with the range of different options available to you. You should generally heed the recommendations of the salespeople and the installers in relation to which fireplaces will be suitable for your particular chimney and flue, because some will not be.
Your current decor, the look that you're attempting to create and in some cases, the age of your home in Horbury, will determine whether you go for a wood burner, an open fireplace or a multi-fuel stove. By way of example, a cast iron wood burning stove looks fantastic set into an inglenook fireplace, highlighting the character of the stove and reflecting the heat into the room effectively.
Even if you do not have a chimney breast in your Horbury property, it is still feasible to put in a wood burner. As a stainless steel flue can be channeled through an outside wall and has no need of a chimney, it is still feasible to fit this type of fireplace.
WOOD, ELECTRIC, MULTI-FUEL, GAS OR OPEN FIREPLACE?
The charm and look of an open fire cannot be beaten, however what options are out there if this kind of fireplace is not possible within your Horbury home?
Electric Fireplaces - These can be fitted quickly and safely by any competent individual and there are styles and designs which are appropriate for any room and type of property in Horbury. Modern electric fires can deliver "real" looking flame effects and and sometimes even the sound of crackling wood to replicate a real fire when inset into an old fashioned fireplace.
Gas Fireplaces - There are a wide array of designs to complement any home in Horbury, and as they provide instantaneous heat, they are more efficient thermally than wood burner or multi-fuel stoves in general. Only Gas Safe heating engineers are qualified to install these fires.
Wood Burning Stoves - These devices can even be a freestanding feature where needed, and there's a wide variety to complement any kind of home in Horbury. When used together with a back boiler, these can provide additional heating functionality by transferring the hot water to colder areas of your house by way of a radiator.
Open Fireplaces - Provides an attractive focal point for a room and can be used with a variety of solid fuels. In the bad old days an open fire might have been associated with being inefficient, smoky and draughty, however a professionally fitted fireplace is a delight to the eye whilst basking in the warmth it provides.
Multi-Fuel Stoves - Can be fired up with with a variety of fuels, including gas, wood, oil or coal, to create a unique focal point in your home in Horbury. The AGA range for instance is well known as being capable of providing heating for the whole home, a supply of hot water and a hob and oven all in one unit.
Chimney Sweeping
It's important to get the chimney swept frequently, irrespective of whether you've got a log burning stove or an open fire. To be completely safe, it's wise to clean and sweep your chimney twice yearly, especially if you are burning coal or wood.
You should always call in a professional Horbury chimney sweep, because this is a messy job. A skilled chimney sweep won't only clean your chimney but in addition be on the lookout for safety issues.
A chimney fire could easily be caused by a build-up of ash, soot and wood tar if this is not removed by sweeping. Poorly maintained chimneys can also cause another hazardous situation by drawing carbon monoxide gas back into your home.
You'll no doubt now appreciate the necessity for hiring a professional chimney sweep in Horbury, and also one who is covered by ample public liability insurance. CLICK HERE to get chimney sweeping quotes for the Horbury area.
Brick Fireplaces
For centuries, brick fireplaces have been a standard feature in Horbury homes, and rightly so. They provide character and a sense of rustic charm that cannot be provided by any other feature. So, if you are considering adding a brick fireplace to your home in Horbury, here are some things to bear in mind.
First, choose the design of brick fireplace you want. You can go with a traditional style with a mantel and hearth, or a modern style with a minimalist design and sleek, clean lines. You can use a brick fireplace as a statement piece, so think carefully about the size and location of your fireplace. A big fireplace can provide an impressive focal point in a room, whereas a smaller fireplace can provide an inviting nook.
Brick fireplaces can be built with a range of different types of brick, each with its own unique texture and colour. You will want to pick a brick that matches the design of your property and matches the overall aesthetic you're trying to create.
In addition to the aesthetic considerations, you will also want to think about the functional aspects of a brick fireplace. Good venting is crucial for safety, and you might want to look into adding glass doors or a fireplace insert for increased efficiency. You will also have to ensure that the hearth is completely level and that the bricks are properly installed to avoid any potential hazards.
To conclude, brick fireplaces are a timeless addition to any property. They're versatile, durable, and can provide comfort and warmth for many years. If you are considering a fireplace for your dwelling in Horbury, a brick fireplace is an awesome choice.
Arriving Soon:
Fireplace mantels and surrounds - article 201.
Fireplace Installers Near Horbury
Also find: Horbury Bridge fireplace installers, Crigglestone fireplace installers, Durkar fireplace installers, Painthorpe fireplace installers, Chapelthorpe fireplace installers, Middlestown fireplace installers, Netherton fireplace installers, Lupset fireplace installers, Thornhill Edge fireplace installers, Flockton fireplace installers, Midgley fireplace installers, Great Cliff fireplace installers, Calder Grove fireplace installers, Thornhill Lees fireplace installers, Coxley fireplace installers, Thornes fireplace installers, Thornhill fireplace installers and more.
Horbury Fireplace Related Tasks
Your local fireplace installer can undertake an extensive range of tasks and services including electric fireplaces, double-sided stove installation, designer fireplaces, wood & multifuel stoves, cast fireplaces, modern fireplace installations Horbury, fireplace removal, hearth fireplaces Horbury, brick fireplace installation Horbury, designer fireplace installation, fireplace installation, fireplace fitting, brick fireplaces, elm fireplaces Horbury, electric fireplace installation in Horbury, electric suites, Victorian fireplaces Horbury, chimney repairs, freestanding stoves, fireplace repairs, 2-sided fireplaces, three-sided fireplaces in Horbury, gas fireplaces, chimney modifications, wood burning fireplace installation, fireplaces, chimney cowl installation, inglenook fireplace installation in Horbury, gas stoves, period fireplaces, fireplace restoration, marble fireplace installations, stone fireplace installations, made-to-measure fireplaces, Victorian fireplace installations Horbury, and others. These are just a handful of the tasks that are carried out by a local fireplace fitter. Horbury companies will be more than happy to inform you of their entire range of fireplace services if you contact them.
More Horbury Tradespeople: Needless to say, when you are doing home renovations in Horbury, West Yorkshire, you will probably be in need of all kinds of different tradespeople and along with fireplace specialists in Horbury, West Yorkshire, you might additionally need stone cleaning in Horbury, waste removal in Horbury, a heating engineer in Horbury, SKIP HIRE in Horbury, a stonemason in Horbury, a bricklayer in Horbury, a plasterer in Horbury, a roofer in Horbury, a general builder in Horbury, an electrician in Horbury, a flooring company in Horbury, a chimney sweep in Horbury, a tiler in Horbury, a carpenter/joiner in Horbury, a cleaner in Horbury, a painter and decorator in Horbury, a handyperson in Horbury, roof cleaning in Horbury, and various other different Horbury tradesmen.
Fireplace Design Horbury - Fireplaces Horbury - Log Burner Fireplace Horbury - Fireplace Horbury - Residential Fireplaces Horbury - Fireplace Fitter Horbury - Fireplace Installation Quotations Horbury - Fireplace Ideas Horbury - Stone Fireplace Horbury