Fireplace Fitter Merstham Surrey (RH1): Opening up an old disused fireplace to fit a wood burner, multi fuel or open fire is a splendid way to add a homely feel and some charm to any Merstham home. Chilly evenings in winter can become enjoyable as you sit beside your fireplace surrounded by the crackling of a burning fire, and if your fire is combined with a back boiler you can also benefit from cheap hot water too.
Before you start prising away at a bricked-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 in domestic homes in Merstham must conform to Part J of the UK's Building Regulations, and this applies to flue linings, hearths, fireplaces and chimney breasts. If you reside in a listed building or are in a designated conservation area you should check with local council to find out if planning permission is necessary for a fireplace installation in your house.
PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION OR DIY?
When restoring an old blocked or bricked-up fireplace, there is a pretty good chance of running into structural issues, therefore even if you're an enthusiastic do-it-yourselfer you could struggle with this sort of work. It may be the case that when you remove the covering from a disused fireplace to find a hidden gem which requires little more than a good clear out and a check from a chimney sweep to get a fire roaring once again. However, what you will likely find is a patch of crumbling bricks that hides issues such as a lintel that needs replacing or a stopped up chimney.
It is generally advisable to look to the knowledge and experience of a specialist fireplace installer in Merstham, because of the severe fire and health risk issues that can be caused by a poorly installed or renovated fireplace. There always has to be a decent air flow into a room or space where a fireplace is installed to ensure sufficient quantities of oxygen enable the fire to burn safely. If there is not enough airflow then it's quite possible that a fire will burn inefficiently and cause carbon monoxide to build up, which can be deadly.
A competent fireplace installation technician will consider the situation at hand and get over this issue to guarantee an adequate amount of air flow for the fireplace to burn efficiently and safely, by fitting vents in locations around the room, or beneath the floors. To prevent condensed air becoming trapped in unused or blocked off chimney flues and creating damp spots and staining, flue vents may need to be installed by the installation team to improve the airflow.
BEFORE WORK STARTS
Chimney breasts are renowned for the huge quantity of soot and muck that can build-up inside them, thus when you set out to open up a fireplace you can expect it to be a pretty messy undertaking. So that the furniture, rugs and carpets inside a room do not get impacted by the dirt and soot that is expelled during works by a fireplace installer, it's generally recommended that you have them removed beforehand. If your fireplace is being fitted as part of an overall renovation then it ought to be one of the first things to be done after you've brought the room back to its bare walls and floors. The reasoning behind this is to avoid any discolouration damage to any work which has recently been accomplished.
STRUCTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION WORK
As soon as the old fireplace has been opened up and exposed, you'll have a much clearer concept of the kind of restoration work that is necessary. You can then also proceed to sweep the chimney and clean any remaining elements of the hearth and back panel. The first thing on your to-do list will be to call in a proper Merstham chimney sweep. Besides cleaning the flue and chimney, they will also consider the condition of your flue liner and chimney and inform you whether any portion of the chimney structure and flue needs replacing.
If you need to strengthen the chimney or install a flue lining all relevant UK Building Regulations must be followed. Experience in good construction techniques and an understanding of the Building Regulations will be essential for anyone who tackles this kind of work, so you really need a competent builder or fireplace fitter and should never try to do it yourself.
In buildings that are older you might discover the revealed fireplace is too wide for your needs, which will mean that a new concrete supporting lintel will be needed to adapt the opening. And after this, replacing or upgrading the hearth will be the next step in your fireplace installation project in Merstham. Once upon a time the hearth would be set into a void in the floor, however current UK Building Regulations demand that it is raised above the normal level of the floor. You can find tailor-made solutions to fit pretty much any design and size of fireplace, or you can choose from a range of popular size and shape hearths to match your decor.
FIREPLACE DESIGNS
If you visit a fireplace showroom you are spoilt for choice with the range of different options open to you. To help you select a fireplace that goes with your home decor, and is also suitable for your flue and chimney, it is recommended that you ask for the advice of the sales team.
In deciding the fireplace style and design that is most suitable for your situation, you will need to think about the age of your home in Merstham, and the style you're attempting to develop in your room. For instance, a cast iron wood burning stove looks marvelous set into an old-fashioned inglenook fireplace, which highlights the charm and character of the stove and also reflects the heat back into the room effectively.
Even if you haven't got an existing chimney breast in your Merstham property, it's still feasible to install a wood burning stove. Your fireplace fitter can take a stainless steel flue directly from the top or rear of the wood burner and out through an outside wall, therefore a chimney structure is not required.
MULTI-FUEL, ELECTRIC, GAS, WOOD OR OPEN FIREPLACE?
You simply cannot beat a roaring fire on a dark winter's evening, to create a charm and ambience in your Merstham property, but what are the alternatives?
Open Fireplaces - This is the classic fireplace, that can provide a stunning focal point for any room or space, and can be used to burn various different fuels, such as smokeless coal, coalite nuts, briquettes and wood. An open fire is lovely to see and modern fireplaces are no longer the draughty, inefficient and smoky things they used to be.
Gas Fireplaces - Their efficiency to warm a room is a lot better than wood burning stoves, and there countless designs to complement all property types. Only a Gas Safe contractor is qualified to install these fires.
Electric Fireplaces - Straightforward installation and a diverse choice of designs make electric fires a popular choice for Merstham properties without a chimney breast. When set into a regular fireplace, contemporary electric fires can replicate an actual fire, with convincing looking flames and sometimes even the crackling sound of wood.
Wood Burning Stoves - Coming in a wide range of designs which can be free standing where needed, these stoves can be installed in rooms both small and large. A model with an integrated back boiler can deliver additional heating capabilities by transferring the piping hot water to a radiator in a cold spot of your home.
Multi-Fuel Stoves - As you'll no doubt assume from the name, these stoves can be fed a variety of different fuels, including oil, gas, wood or smokeless coal, and not just that, they can also be a focal point for your living space. The AGA range is renowned as being capable of providing heating for the whole home, a supply of hot water and a cooker all in a single unit.
You should be able to find fireplace installers in Merstham, and surrounding places like: Hooley, Netherne-on-the-Hill, Margery, Buckland, Nutfield, Bletchingley, Sidlow, Salfords, Walton on the Hill, Chaldon, Mugswell. Postcode areas like , RH1 3HU, RH1 3AL, RH1 3QN, RH1 3HX, RH1 2NW, RH1 3JR, RH1 3NE, RH1 3EH, and RH1 2FW are also covered. A couple of hints which indicate that a fireplace service operates in Merstham area is if they have the dialling code 01737 and the postcode RH1. Merstham householders can enjoy the benefits of these fireplace services. You can simply click on the "QUOTE" form or banner to get more specifics on fireplaces and fireplace installation in the area.
Natural Stone Fireplaces
Why not go some way to bringing the outside in and build a spectacular looking stone fireplace? The exterior areas of your house might already have a stone facade, a stone boundary wall, or some similar natural stone feature. Your stone fireplace inside, could coordinate with those natural features outside.
A stone fireplace can be created using either full-depth stone or thinner stone cladding. Your budget and taste might influence which one you choose. You'll also need to choose what type of stone you prefer to use for your fireplace, select from: quartz, limestone, marble, sandstone, slate or granite.
Your completed fireplace's appearance will depend on the method of building (mortar joints or dry stone), the individuality of the stonemason or tradesman who builds it and the sort of stone used. Pick a design that you'd like to end up with, and show the fireplace builder some photographs before they start the job.
As it's got such a striking appearance and can dominate the look of a room, stone is not always a suitable material for a modern home. However, dramatic and spectacular may be precisely what you have in mind - and at the end of the day, the choice is yours!
Chimney Sweeping Merstham
The regular sweeping of your chimney is essential if you have an open fire or a stove in your home in Merstham. Chimney sweeping should generally be done at least once yearly.
The preferred course of action to get this done is to contact a professional Merstham chimney sweep, who'll complete the work correctly and without mess. If there are any safety issues with your chimney, the chimney sweep will be in a position to identify them and let you know about them.
If you do not consistently sweep your chimney in Merstham, the resulting build-up of soot and creosote could easily lead to a chimney fire. Another dangerous situation that you want to avoid at all costs is toxic carbon monoxide fumes flowing back into your home, which can also be caused by a blocked chimney.
Ensure your chosen Merstham chimney sweep is qualified and is also covered by adequate public liability insurance. To get a chimney swept in Merstham, CLICK HERE for a quote. You can also get chimney sweeping done in nearby locations and areas.
Tips On How To Lower Your Heating Bill Plus Keep Your Open Fireplace In Great Shape
The classic fireplace may have lost a certain amount of of its allure because of environmental worries but it is still loved by many in Merstham. The natural warmth of an open fireplace stimulates special recollections for those who've got them. There are countless benefits to having an open fireplace but there are also some downsides that might need to be taken care of. Because of energy costs increasing so rapidly these days, your fireplace needs to be a sound source of heat, and not an inefficient one. While having a fire alight in a fireplace keeps the people close to it cosy, it actually removes warm air from other parts of the room, causing your heater to work harder. When there's no fire, a damper is supposed to manage the airflow. Often times though, fireplace dampers are renowned for being inefficient in keeping cold air out, and warm air in.
Many householders in Merstham who have fireplaces don't realise how it can affect heating costs. Instead of warming a home naturally, a fireplace can essentially add hundreds of pounds to your heating bills. However it's not all hopeless as there are ways to make your fireplace much more cost-efficient. There are at least four basic points that you can do to fix up your fireplace. All of these is going to make your fireplace very economical and more efficient.
The initial step is to take out the old damper and swap it for a new top sealing damper. This form of damper is installed at the top of the chimney, and works like a storm door. The top sealing damper will keep the air in the house from leaking out and will work remarkably well in both warm and cold weather conditions. The damper is easy to set up, and can be purchased online. Next, you will need to have a fire-back in the rear part of your hearth. A fire-back consists of cast iron and it is meant to shield the back wall from fire damage, while making your fireplace look stylish. The fire-back reflects the heat from a fire, and radiates it back inside the room, increasing the overall efficiency of the fireplace.
Another option is to obtain a fireplace fan/heater, which draws in air in a room and warms it up. These heating devices don't discharge any smoke and are be very successful in keeping your house warm and toasty. The final thing that you can do is to install glass doors, which may be a bit on the expensive side. If you do a bit of research, you can get a good price on glass doors and fit them yourself. Such doors form a buffer between the chimney and living space, not only making the area less for the fire to heat, but also affording some protection to the inhabitants.
These suggestions aren't all that hard to do and you can obtain everything you need online. Make the most of your fireplace and observe your energy bills tumble.
Flue Linings
Allowing your chimney to function a great deal more efficiently, a flue lining is a vital element of the chimney set-up on your property. Transporting fumes outside a building, a flue liner runs the complete length of a chimney, and can be made out of a range of materials including such things as clay, stainless steel or ceramics. If you reside in an older home in Merstham, it might be that you don't have a flue liner in your chimney at all, or that the old one is defective and will need to be replaced with a new one.
Hazardous gases and fumes can be produced by burning fires and these gases can soon eat away at the flue of your fireplace. The perfect time to check for damages is while your chimney is being swept and cleaned - so ask your sweep to do this. A flue which has been damaged may allow those toxic gases to seep into your home, rather than expelling them out into the atmosphere. There is an additional threat with defective flues, in that they can permit extreme heat to penetrate the structure of the chimney, which can cause fires.
Chimney Repair Merstham
A critical element in preserving the safety and efficiency of fireplaces and heating systems is chimney repair. Issues such as leaks, cracks or blockages may arise in chimneys due to wear and deterioration over time. Averting potential threats, including fire and carbon monoxide exposure, is dependent on timely repairs. The optimal functioning and adherence to safety standards of the chimney are assured by chimney repair professionals in Merstham. Extending the chimney's longevity and reducing the necessity for expensive future repairs, regular repairs and inspections afford home and property owners peace of mind and a dependable heating source. (88224 - Chimney Repairs Merstham)
Fireplace Installation Information
To see the latest on social websites, check this out. There's so much high quality info about fireplace installation on the internet these days, and to learn about stylish fireplace designs click here. Pop along to Wikipedia to get more facts on fireplaces. To follow conversations about fireplace installation go to one of the fireplace forums, topics discussed include things like building regulations, chimney flues, pellet stoves and boilers, log burning stoves, trims for stoves and widening a fireplace. Go here to learn how to install a fireplace.
Merstham Fireplace Related Tasks
Your local Merstham fireplace installer can deliver a number of different tasks, and as well as what's already been covered here they will be able to do fireplacerates, electric fire suites, marble fireplace surrounds, fake fireplace installations, flue lining installation, fireplace design Merstham, chimney strengthening in Merstham, corner fireplace installation in Merstham, Victorian fireplaces in Merstham, fireplace inserts in Merstham, cheap fireplace installation, fireplace surrounds, gas stoves, fake fireplaces, wood burning fireplace installations Merstham, stone fireplace installation, bespoke fireplaces Merstham, fireplaces Merstham, hearth-mounted electric fires in Merstham, wood & multifuel stove installations, tiled fireplaces Merstham, chimney cowl installation, Regency fireplaces Merstham, inset stove installations, open fireplaces, chimney repairs, fireplace removal, traditional fireplaces Merstham, chimney lining, wood mantels in Merstham, stone fireplaces Merstham, period fireplace installations in Merstham, classic fireplaces, brick fireplace installation, hearth fireplaces, and more. Merstham companies will inform you about their full range of fireplace services. If there happen to be some other Merstham fireplace requirements that you want but can't see here, you should list them on the QUOTE FORM provided.
Fireplace Installers Near Merstham
Also find: Walton on the Hill fireplace installers, Chaldon fireplace installers, Margery fireplace installers, Nutfield fireplace installers, Netherne-on-the-Hill fireplace installers, Salfords fireplace installers, Bletchingley fireplace installers, Mugswell fireplace installers, Hooley fireplace installers, Sidlow fireplace installers, Buckland fireplace installers and more. There are companies who install fireplaces in almost all of these areas. In your home, these skilled tradesmen can put their expertise and know-how to use for successfully installing fireplaces. Residents, with the help of these committed professionals, can experience the comfort, atmosphere and warmth a fireplace adds to their living spaces. By clicking here, local residents can get fireplace installation quotations.
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Fireplace installation in RH1 area, 01737.
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