Fireplace Fitter Ruislip Greater London (HA4): If you are weary of rising energy prices and want to find an alternative way to heat your house in Ruislip, why don't you open up that disused fireplace and install a budget friendly wood burner, open or multi-fuel fire? So long as you've got a ready source of timber, adding an open fire or wood burning stove for those frosty winters' days can even prove to be cheaper than a traditional central heating system. Combine a back boiler with your fireplace and you will be able to enjoy supplies of endless hot water to save you even more cash.
If you're going to build an attractive, efficient and safe fireplace in your property in Ruislip, there are some important things you must think about before any work commences. Any heat producing appliance within residential homes in Ruislip must conform to Part J of the UK's buildings regs, and this covers chimney breasts, flue linings, hearths and fireplaces. If you live in a listed building you will also need to find out if planning permission is required from the local authorities before any work begins.
DIY OR PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION?
You might be capable of doing some of the work in restoring an existing fireplace if you have the ability to do so, however structural and safety problems are often discovered that need to be resolved by a professional. When your blocked up fireplace is revealed you may find a sturdy hearth, lintel and chimney breast that requires little more than the services of a chimney sweep to get it all working once more. What's more typical however is a patch of old, crumbling brickwork covering a stopped up flue, and also requires some degree of structural modification before it can be safely used.
Employing a specialist fireplace installer in Ruislip is normally advised, since an improperly fitted fireplace can cause respiratory health issues and a serious risk of fire. So that a fire can burn correctly in a room where a fireplace is installed, there must be ample airflow to create an adequate amount of oxygen. If there is not enough airflow then it is possible that a fire will burn inefficiently and cause a build-up of carbon monoxide, which can be deadly.
To ensure a sufficient airflow for the fire to combust efficiently and safely, a specialist fireplace installation technician will assess the situation at hand and fit vents in locations around the room, or beneath the floors, thus solving this issue. Vents might also have to be installed in unused chimney flues which frequently cause damp spots and staining to to your chimney breast, due to moist, condensed air being trapped.
BEFORE WORK COMMENCES
It is surprising just how much muck and soot can build up inside an old fireplace and you'll not know what is there until you open it up. Where feasible it's a good idea to remove rugs, carpets and furniture from the room before any work starts in earnest, although a fireplace installer will bring dust sheets to cover up your furniture and provide some form of protection. If your fireplace is being installed as part of a larger home restoration project then it should be one of the first tasks to be done after you've taken the room back to its bare walls and floors. This helps to prevent any discolouring damage to any renovated work you've already finished.
CONSTRUCTION & STRUCTURAL WORK
Once the fireplace has been opened up, you'll get a far clearer concept of the refurbishment work that needs to be done. You can then also proceed with sweeping the chimney and cleaning any surviving parts of the hearth. This would be the ideal time to call a local Ruislip chimney sweep to find out if it is convenient to come and check your fireplace and chimney. As well as cleaning and sweeping your flue and chimney, they will also consider the condition of your flue liner and chimney and tell you about any section of the flue and chimney structure that needs to be replaced.
All of the relevant UK Building Regulations must be complied with, if you need to install a new flue liner or strengthen the chimney structure. This is unlikely to be the kind of work that you can do yourself, therefore you will need to hire a skilled builder who is experienced in good working practices and is familiar with the appropriate Building Regulations.
In older buildings you may discover that the existing fireplace is too big for your purposes, which will mean that a new concrete lintel will be needed to adapt the opening. After this phase of the project has been completed, the renovation or updating of the fireplace hearth can be undertaken. In the old days the hearth was generally set into the floor, but the current regulations demand that it is raised above the level of the floor. You can find bespoke solutions to fit pretty much any design and size of fireplace, or you can choose from a variety of common sized hearths to match your decor.
STYLES OF FIREPLACE
Choosing your perfect fireplace can be difficult amongst the many shapes, sizes and styles available from a fireplace showroom or online retailer. To help you choose a fireplace that's both suitable for your existing chimney and flue, as well as for your decor, it is recommended that you get the guidance and advice of the sales team, which will be in line with your requirements.
Certain houses and rooms will be more suited to an open fireplace than a wood burner or multi fuel stove and vice versa. A traditional iron wood-burner stove for example, will look wonderful when positioned in an inglenook fireplace, which redirects the heat back into the room and draws attention to its charm and elegance.
For properties in Ruislip that do not have a chimney, a multi-fuel or wood burning stove is a terrific alternative. Since a stainless steel flue can be channeled through an external wall and does not require an existing chimney, it is still viable to install and enjoy this form of fireplace.
MULTI-FUEL, ELECTRIC, OPEN, GAS OR WOOD FIREPLACE?
A flickering fire on a winter's evening delivers an ambience and charm that cannot be matched, however what other options are available to put into in your new fireplace in Ruislip?
Gas Fireplaces - More efficient (thermally) than wood burners, gas fireplaces come in a variety of styles to suit your home in Ruislip. Gas fireplaces can only be fitted and maintained by a certified Gas Safe registered technician, (previously CORGI registered).
Wood Burning Stoves - These stoves come in contemporary or classic designs to go with the decor of your property, and they have become extremely popular in many Ruislip homes. A back boiler is an additional benefit and could provide hot water for personal use, or for heating in other rooms via radiators.
Multi-Fuel Stoves - Burning various different fuels such as oil, gas, coal or wood, a multi-fuel stove can be made into a stunning focal point in your kitchen or living room. Some types, like the AGA range of multi-fuel stoves, are also suitable for cooking, providing hot water and heating your whole house.
Open Fireplaces - The classic fireplace which can make use of different fuels such as wood, briquettes, smokeless coal and other combustible products. Today's fireplaces are not the smoky, draughty and inefficient features that they used to be, and an open fire creates a warm and cosy environment for the enjoyment of its occupants.
Electric Fireplaces - Anyone who is reasonably competent can safely and easily put in one of these fires, and the broad range of models make these an extremely popular choice for property owners in Ruislip. Even if your property has a conventional fireplace, an electric fire that seems almost like a "real" fire can be fitted.
Chimney Cowls Ruislip
To add draft and prevent back-up, a chimney cowl is a hood-shaped cap for your chimney. It fits over the chimney pot to keep the wind from blowing smoke back down, and is generally made from galvanized iron. It can be bought online or in a builder's merchants. A cowl will keep your fireplace or stove working efficiently, whether you decide to purchase a brand new one or make a pre-existing one work better.
There are several kinds of chimney cowls on the market. There are pot hanging cowls which can be installed without removing the chimney pot. They attach to the flue liner via three straps, which secure the cowl in place. Another form of cowl is a weathering cap, which is attached to the end of the flue. These are larger than the chimney pot, which makes certain that they stay in position.
Chimney cowls are also available that are made from commonplace products, such as a stainless steel colander or steel bucket. Ordinary chicken wire can also be used to make a fairly effective cowl. Clay flower pots also make fantastic chimney cowls. These products can be readily purchased at your local hardware store or on the web.
One of the most common kinds of chimney cowl is known as the H-style. This design is one of the best for controlling the draught and allows your fireplace to function more efficiently. It is made from a series of H-shaped pipes that isolate the combustion gases from down draughts. It was originally developed for marine applications, but has become popular among homeowners due to its energy-saving attributes.
Another type 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.
Chimney cowls are an effective way to stop birds from building nests in your chimney and blocking the entire thing up. They are reasonably priced and easy to put in. You should make certain that you have easy access to the space above the chimney in order to install one. It can also prevent dirt and debris from building up inside the chimney. Ask your local fireplace installer in Ruislip if they can fit a suitable chimney cowl for you.
Brick Fireplaces
Brick fireplaces have been a favourite feature in dwellings for hundreds of years, and for good reason. They not only provide warmth and comfort during chilly weather but also add a classic touch to any room they're in. There are several items that you will need to consider, if you are thinking about installing a brick fireplace in your house in Ruislip
First off, you'll need to consider the style of fireplace you want. Traditional brick fireplaces usually feature a hearth and mantel, whilst contemporary fireplaces frequently have a sleeker design with clean, sharp lines. You will also need to consider the size of your fireplace. A fireplace of larger size can create an eye-catching impact in a room, while a smaller one can offer a snug and comfortable corner..
When it comes to brick selection, there are plenty of options. Brick comes in a range of textures and colours, thus you can pick the ideal brick to complement the style of your property. You could even think about mixing and matching brick styles to create a unique and distinctive look.
Finally, consider the functional aspects of a brick fireplace. Ensure that the fireplace is adequately vented and that you've got a functioning chimney. If you want to use the fireplace for heat, think about adding a fireplace insert or glass doors to enhance safety and efficiency.
To conclude, a brick fireplace can add charm and warmth to any room. With proper planning and consideration, you can create a beautiful and functional brick fireplace that will enhance your home's design and provide a comfortable environment for your family to enjoy.
How To Preserve Your Open Fireplace And Bring Down Your Heating Bills
The age-old open fireplace may have lost a certain amount of of its glamour because of environmental concerns but it is still loved by many householders in Ruislip. Sitting facing the comfort of an open fireplace, revives many treasured memories for a lot of people. Having an open fireplace has its many perks and benefits but there are also a few downsides that could affect its performance. Due to power costs elevating so quickly nowadays, your fireplace should be a good source of heat, not one of inefficiency. When a fire is burning, it might provide warmth for people standing right in front of it, but it can actually pull warm air out of the room, making your heater work even harder. The chimney damper is supposed to stop cold air from coming in to your home when you haven't got a fire in the fireplace. Unfortunately, fireplace dampers are usually very inefficient in keeping cold air out, and warm air in.
What many folks in Ruislip may not realise about their fireplace is that it doesn't always do exactly what they believe it is doing. Instead of heating a residence naturally, a fireplace can essentially add 100s of pounds to your heating bills. However, there are several techniques that you can do that can turn your budget smashing fireplace into something a bit more efficient. There are at least four easy points that you are able to do to improve your fireplace. These is going to make your fireplace very economical and more efficient.
Step one is to take out your existing damper and swap it for a new top sealing damper. A top sealing damper is set up right at the top of your chimney which also behaves the same as a storm door. It will keep the inside air from coming out, and the outside air from going in, and works in hot weather or cold. It's not very hard to install and may be easily bought online. A second thing which can be done would be to fit a fire-back at the rear of your fireplace. It is produced from cast iron and is used to improve the overall look of your fireplace while protecting the back wall from heat damage. The fire-back also absorbs heat right from the fire and channels it back into the room, making the fireplace more efficient.
Another cost saver is a fireplace heater, which heats the space by pulling the air into a heat chamber and recycling the air back into the room. These gadgets are put in place as closed systems so they don't give off any smoke, but are extremely effective in keeping your house warm. The last thing you're able to do is to install glass doors, which could be your biggest expense. If you do your homework, you can definitely get a good deal on glass doors and they are not too hard to put in yourself. Such glass doors create a screen between the chimney and living space, not only stopping the heat from escaping, but also providing protection.
These suggestions are not that hard to accomplish and you can purchase everything you need online. Make the most of your fireplace and see your energy costs drop.
More Ruislip Tradespeople: When your Ruislip property is in need of remodeling or improvements, various different tradesmen could be necessary to successfully complete the project, and despite the fact that your current search is for fireplace installers in Ruislip, Greater London, you may also need the expertise of a builder in Ruislip, a chimney sweep in Ruislip, SKIP HIRE in Ruislip, screeding in Ruislip, a roofing specialist in Ruislip, a heating engineer in Ruislip, gutter cleaning in Ruislip, a carpenter/joiner in Ruislip, a painter/decorator in Ruislip, an electrician in Ruislip, a metal worker in Ruislip, brick cleaning in Ruislip, a damp proofing specialist in Ruislip, a bricklayer in Ruislip, a plasterer in Ruislip, a stonemason in Ruislip, an odd job man in Ruislip, waste removal in Ruislip, and probably others.
Ruislip Fireplace Related Tasks
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Fireplace Installers Near Ruislip
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