Fireplace Fitter Sherborne Dorset (DT9): Opening up an old disused fireplace to put in a wood burner, a gas fire or an open fire is a splendid way to add charm and a homely feel to any Sherborne home. Nippy winter evenings can become a joy as you sit beside your fireplace listening to the crackle of a burning fire, and if your fire is used in combination with a back boiler you can also benefit from free hot water too.
However before you start smashing down the walls of a bricked-up fireplace there are some important considerations you must bear in mind to achieve an efficient and safe fireplace. Any combustible appliance in residential homes in Sherborne must comply with Part J of the UK's buildings regulations, and this applies to chimney breasts, fireplaces, hearths and flue linings. If you are living in a designated conservation area or a listed building you should check with the local council to see if planning permission is required for installing a fireplace in your home.
PROFESSIONAL OR DIY FIREPLACE INSTALLATION?
You might be able to do some of the work in restoring a bricked-up fireplace if you've got the skills to do so, however there is always a problem in finding structural and safety issues which need to be resolved by a specialist. If you are lucky when you open up a boarded fireplace you may find a decent lintel, chimney breast and hearth 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 likely find is an area of old bricks that hides problems such as a blocked chimney or a lintel that requires replacement.
Owing to the serious health and fire risk problems that can result from an incorrectly installed or restored fireplace, it is preferable to avail yourself of the experience and knowledge of a competent fireplace installer in Sherborne. Airflow must be sufficient in any room that a fireplace is to be installed; in fact it's a requirement in the Building Regulations that this is the case. Inadequate oxygen means the fire won't burn well, and an accumulation of carbon monoxide fumes could occur, which can cause injury or death.
To get past this problem a fireplace specialist in Sherborne will assess the situation and fit vents around the room, or under the floors, to ensure a sufficient amount of air flow for the fire to combust effectively and safely. Blocked off and unused chimney flues may also have to have air vents fitted since they can often trap moist air within them causing damp to develop inside the chimney breast.
BEFORE WORK STARTS
A large amount of soot and other dirt can be discharged from a bricked up chimney when reopening it for renovation. A fireplace installer will bring covers for your home furnishings and supply a bit of protection, however it is sensible where feasible to remove furniture and woven floor coverings from the room before any work starts in earnest. If your fireplace is being installed as part of a larger home renovation project then it should be one of the first things to be worked on once you've got the room back to bare floors and walls. This will help to prevent any discolouring damage by dirt and chimney soot to any completed restoration work.
CONSTRUCTION & STRUCTURAL WORK
Now that you can see the opening of your fireplace it's time to sweep and clean the chimney and hearth and see what can be restored. The very first thing on your agenda should be to bring in a decent chimney sweep. They'll not only make certain that your flue and chimney are completely clean, but they can also look at the state of the flue liner and existing chimney and offer guidance if you need to replace any part of the flue and chimney.
If you need to strengthen the chimney or install a flue lining all Building Regulations must be adhered to. These are jobs that need to be done by a competent builder with a knowledge of the pertinent building regs and reliable construction skills.
If the dimensions of the original fireplace are greater than your needs, a supporting concrete lintel will have to be installed. When this has been done the next step for your fireplace installation in Sherborne will be to upgrade the hearth. You might discover that the original hearth has been sunken into the floor, however to conform to latest regulations it must be raised above floor level. If your fireplace is of non-standard size you may have to purchase a tailor-made hearth, however there are also a whole host of "off-the-shelf" hearths in marble, slate or concrete.
STYLES OF FIREPLACE
Deciding on your choice of fireplace can be difficult when faced with the various styles that are available from a fireplace showroom or online retailer. It's quite possible that owing to your existing chimney and flue, that certain fireplaces might not be suitable, and it's a good idea to follow the recommendations from the fireplace installer in this respect.
Some rooms and houses will be more suited to an open fireplace than a multi-fuel stove or a wood burner and vice versa. If you have an old-fashioned inglenook fireplace, a cast iron wood burner can look amazing in this surrounding, and also has the benefit of effectively deflecting heat back into the room from the brick or stone walls that surround the stove.
Even if you haven't got a pre-existing chimney breast in your Sherborne property, it's still feasible to install a wood burning or multi fuel stove. An existing chimney isn't required as a stainless steel flue is fitted to the top or rear of the stove and channeled through an exterior wall.
MULTI-FUEL, OPEN, ELECTRIC, GAS OR WOOD FIREPLACE?
Who does not enjoy the flickering of a natural fireplace on a cool winters' evening, however if your situation doesn't permit this, what are the other alternatives?
Electric Fireplaces - Electric fireplaces can be fitted safely and easily by anybody who is reasonable competent and there are styles and varieties which are appropriate for just about any room and type of property in Sherborne. Modern electric fires can deliver authentic looking flame effects and and sometimes even the sound of crackling wood to replicate a real fire when set into into an old fashioned fireplace.
Multi-Fuel Stoves - Multi-fuel stoves can be fired up with with a range of fuels, (oil, wood, gas, coal) to generate a unique focal point in your home in Sherborne. Some types, like the AGA range, can also be used for cooking, providing hot water and heating your whole home.
Gas Fireplaces - There are many designs to suit all property types and their efficiency to warm a room is superior to open fireplaces. A Gas Safe certified contractor must maintain and install any gas fire in your property, (CORGI was replaced by Gas Safe in 2009).
Wood Burning Stoves - Wood burners have become very popular in a lot of households in Sherborne, and can have modern or classic styling to suit your decoration. An integrated back boiler is an additional benefit and could provide piping hot water for use around the home, or for heating in other rooms via radiators.
Open Fireplaces - A crackling fire is an attractive focal point for any room and it has the capability to burn almost any solid fuel that you can buy. An open fire is lovely to see and contemporary fireplaces are no more the smoky, draughty and inefficient objects that they used to be.
Fireplace installation is available in Sherborne and also nearby in: Oborne, Milborne Port, Rimpton, Folke, North Wootton, Thornford, Silverlake, Longburton, Trent, Sandford Orcas, Bradford Abbas, Higher Clatcombe, Dodds Cross, Alweston, Poyntington, and in these postcodes DT9 3LN, DT9 3HP, DT9 3QF, DT9 3LH, DT9 3LW, DT9 3RY, DT9 3NA, DT9 3JU, DT9 3LR, DT9 3BA. Local Sherborne fireplace specialists will probably have the telephone dialling code 01935 and the postcode DT9. Checking this out should ensure you're accessing locally based tradespeople installing fireplaces. Sherborne homeowners will be able to utilise these and countless other fireplace related services. Click the "quote" banner to get specifics of fireplace installation in your location.
Chimney Sweep Sherborne
It is advisable to have the chimney swept on a regular basis, irrespective of whether you have an open fire or a stove. Chimneys need to be cleaned and swept at least once every twelve months to keep them in a safe state.
You should always bring in a qualified Sherborne chimney sweep, because this is an unpleasant job. A competent chimney sweep won't only clean your chimney but also keep an eye out for safety issues and other problems.
A build-up of ash and soot can result in chimney fires if you neglect to sweep your chimney. Along with the risk of fires, you'll want to avoid any possibility of deadly carbon monoxide gas being drawn back into your house, another frequent result of poorly maintained chimneys.
This all adds up to the fact that you should always use an experienced Sherborne chimney sweep, and one who has good public liability cover in case of any damage or accidents. For Sherborne chimney sweeps quotes GO HERE. chimney sweeping services are also available in Oborne, Milborne Port, Rimpton, Folke, North Wootton, Thornford, Silverlake, Longburton, Trent, Sandford Orcas, Bradford Abbas, Higher Clatcombe, Dodds Cross, Alweston, Poyntington, and in Sherborne, Dorset.
Practical Ideas On How To Keep Your Fireplace And Lower Your Heating Bills
The traditional fireplace seems to have lost a certain amount of of its glamour as a result of environmental concerns but it is still loved by many in Sherborne. There is nothing quite like feeling the warmth of a fireplace during a freezing winter evening. Having a fireplace has its benefits but there are a few issues that could affect its usefulness. With power costs increasing so rapidly nowadays, your fireplace must be a good source of heat, not one of inefficiency. Whilst having a fire blazing in a fireplace keeps the people around it toasty, it actually removes warm air from other parts of the room, causing your heat source to work harder. If you don't have a fire lit, the damper is supposed to keep heat in. Often times though, fireplace dampers are renowned for being inefficient in keeping warm air in the home and cold air out.
What the majority of people in Sherborne usually do not understand about their fireplace is that it doesn't always do what they think it's doing. Instead of saving resources, and heating costs, it is usually adding hundreds of pounds of energy expense. There's a simple way to take your ineffective fireplace, and turn it into a heat generating system that will more closely fit your budget. Just about all you need to do is just 4 basic things to fix your fireplace. All of these is going to make your fireplace very cost effective and very efficient.
The first suggestion is to swap your current fireplace damper with a more efficient top sealing damper. This type of damper is set up at the top end of the chimney, and acts like a storm door. It does a good job of preserving warm air in the house during winter months and cool air from getting out in the summertime. The seal is straightforward to fit, and can be bought on the internet. A second thing which can be done should be to fit a fire-back at the back of your fireplace. This is a cast iron plate which is designed to enhance the room interior decoration, while protecting the back wall from being damaged by the heat. The fire-back gets warmed up by the fire and reflects the heat back into the room, consequently enhancing the fireplace's efficiency.
Another thing that could also help is a fireplace fan/heater, which heats the air which is being circulated through an internal chamber, and sends it back towards the room. These heating devices are closed systems, so no smoke is released, and they really can make a difference in the temperature of your property. And finally, putting in glass doors, although a bit on the pricey side, can be beneficial in making your fireplace more cost-efficient. If you do a bit of groundwork, you can secure a good price on glass doors and fit them on your own. These glass doors help to stop the heat from leaking out and additionally it keeps pets and youngsters from getting burned.
These suggestions are not all that hard to do and you should be able to buy everything you need online. Try your utmost to keep your fireplace efficient and watch your heating bills go down.
Flues
An essential part of the chimney system on your house, a chimney liner or flu liner improves the overall safety of your chimney while at the same time enabling it to perform more efficiently than it otherwise would. Manufactured from ceramic material, clay or metal, flue liners are conduits that are fitted to the inside of chimneys to transport fumes to the outside. Chimneys on older properties in Sherborne might not be fitted with flue liners at all, or will need to be relined depending on their age and condition.
The hazardous fumes and gases which are generated when you burn a fire can eat away at your chimney's flue. Your flue lining must be regularly inspected for possible problems and damage every time it is being swept. You need to prevent those toxic gases from leaking into your living area, which is what can come about when a flue is impaired. There is an additional hazard with damaged flue linings, in that they can enable intense heat to penetrate into the structure of the chimney, which may cause fires.
Sherborne Fireplace Related Tasks
There is a range of work that can be accomplished by your local Sherborne fireplace company including gas fireplace installations, oak beam fireplaces, fireplace suites in Sherborne, fireplace inserts in Sherborne, fireplace replacement, fireplace packages Sherborne, cast iron fireplaces in Sherborne, cast iron fireplace installation, fireplaces Sherborne, fireplace design in Sherborne, stone fireplaces Sherborne, fireplace fitting, brick fireplaces, open fireplaces, fireplace removal, wood burning fireplaces, fireplace restoration, fireplace mantels, stone fireplace installations Sherborne, fireplace hearths, electric fireplace installations Sherborne, fireplace repairs, double-sided stove installation, chimney lining, gas fireplaces, bespoke fireplaces in Sherborne, fake fireplaces, chimney repairs in Sherborne, and more. Listed are just a few of the tasks that are conducted by those installing fireplaces. Sherborne companies will be happy to inform you of their full range of services.
Dorset Fireplace Installation
In Dorset you will likewise find: Pimperne fireplace installers, Sherborne fireplaces, Arne fireplace installations, Bothenhampton fireplace installation, Stalbridge fireplace fitters, Puddletown fireplace fitters, Merley fireplace fitters, Okeford Fitzpaine fireplace fitters, Portland fireplace installations, Wool fireplace installations, Southwell fireplace installers, Marnhull fireplaces, Milborne St Andrew fireplace installation, Bradpole fireplaces, Dorset fireplace installation, Upton fireplace installations, West Parley fireplace installations, Dorset fireplace fitters, Stoborough Green fireplace installation, West Parley fireplaces, Child Okeford fireplace fitters, Sixpenny Handley fireplace installation, Verwood fireplace installation, Colehill fireplace installations. In every area of Dorset you will be able to track down fireplace fitters who will offer you quality services for all your fireplace related needs. If you cannot find a satisfactory fireplace installer in Sherborne itself then you should be able to find a decent one somewhere nearby.
Sherborne Skip Hire Services
When you're doing any sort of home refurbishments or improvements in Sherborne, you are likely to create a fair amount of waste. Although on the whole, fireplace installations doesn't create all that much waste, it will depend on the size and scale of your project and the type of surface that it's being laid onto. If the tradesman you use doesn't deal with waste removal, and it has not been listed on your quotation, this is something that you're going to have to deal with.
The most popular technique that householders in Sherborne use to get rid of such waste is to rent a skip from a nearby skip hire company. To match your exact requirements, you can choose from a range of skip sizes. The various sizes of skip include mini-skips, midi-skips, builders skips and roll-on-roll-off skips, and for different projects skip bags are also available.
CLICK HERE to get skip hire quotes for the Sherborne area.
Fireplace Enquiries Dorset
Current Dorset fireplace installation customer job requests: Peggy and Ashley Drinkwater recently enquired about getting a price for the installation of a wood burning stove in Lytchett Matravers. William Mcfarlane and Paris Mcfarlane recently enquired about the possibility of opening up an old fireplace and fitting a new gas fireplace in Stalbridge. Elsa and Wilfred Rushton recently enquired about getting a price for the installation of a gas fireplace in Sherborne, Dorset. Mr and Mrs Rodrigues recently requested an estimate for re-opening an old, bricked up fireplace and installing a new multi-fuel fire in Okeford Fitzpaine. Lachlan and Sydney Willis recently enquired about fitting an electric fireplace in a detached house in Blandford St Mary. Jonas Galloway and Annabelle Galloway recently enquired about the possibility of re-opening an old fireplace and installing a new electric fire in Puddletown. Rayaan and Lottie Sullivan recently requested an estimate for re-opening an old, boarded up fireplace and installing a new wood burner in a cottage in Wyke Regis. Crystal Cheshire and Benedict Cheshire recently requested a price quote for fitting a multi fuel fireplace in Corfe Castle, Dorset.
Fireplace Installers Near Sherborne
Also find: Higher Clatcombe fireplace installers, Milborne Port fireplace installers, Rimpton fireplace installers, Trent fireplace installers, Silverlake fireplace installers, Poyntington fireplace installers, Oborne fireplace installers, North Wootton fireplace installers, Dodds Cross fireplace installers, Longburton fireplace installers, Folke fireplace installers, Sandford Orcas fireplace installers, Alweston fireplace installers, Thornford fireplace installers and more.
Fireplaces Around Sherborne: People living in the following areas have just recently requested fireplace installation - Barton Gardens, Cheap Street, Hunts Mead, Acreman Place, Nethercoombe Lane, Hospital Lane, Richmond Road, The Green, Long Street, Honeycombe Rise, Admirals Close, Redhole Lane, East Mill Lane, St Aldhelm's Road, Quarr Drive, Cold Harbour, School View Close, New Road, The Wilderness, Earls Close, George Street, St Paul's Close, South Court, Durrant Close, West Mill Lane, Askwith Close, Wynnes Close, Castleton Road, as well as the following local Sherborne postcodes: DT9 3LN, DT9 3HP, DT9 3QF, DT9 3LH, DT9 3LW, DT9 3RY, DT9 3NA, DT9 3JU, DT9 3LR, DT9 3BA. Work was executed in these areas by installers of fireplaces. Sherborne property owners were given professional and reliable fireplace services in every case.
Fireplaces Sherborne
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More Dorset Fireplace Fitters: More Dorset fireplace fitters: Blandford Forum, Verwood, Swanage, Bournemouth, Bridport, Weymouth, Christchurch, Poole, Wareham, Dorchester, Shaftesbury, Sherborne, Ferndown and London.
Fireplace installation in DT9 area, telephone code 01935.
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