Fireplace Fitter St Austell Cornwall (PL25): Installing a new fireplace or opening up a disused fireplace in your St Austell home is a wonderful way to add a homely feel and some charm to any room. If you combine a new fireplace with a back boiler, you can not only enjoy the warmth and ambience of an open fire on those chilly winters' evenings, you will also be supplied with plentiful hot water.
However before you begin bashing down the walls of a blocked up fireplace there are some important considerations you must bear in mind if you are to wind up with a safe and efficient fireplace. Any combustible appliance installed within the home must conform to Part J of the Building Regs, and this applies to hearths, fireplaces, flue linings and chimney breasts. If you are living in a designated conservation area or a listed building you should check with the local council to find out if planning permission is needed for a fireplace installation in your property.
PROFESSIONAL OR DIY FIREPLACE INSTALLATION?
You might be able to do some of the restoration work to a pre-existing fireplace if you have the ability to do so, however structural and safety issues are often found that need to be resolved by a professional. It might be that so as to get a fire burning in your fireplace once again you need nothing more than a quick clean of the hearth and a visit from a chimney sweep. More likely you'll discover a blocked flue and crumbling brickwork that needs structural modifications.
Because of the severe health and fire risk problems that can be caused by an incorrectly fitted or renovated fireplace, it is advisable to rely on the knowledge and experience of an experienced fireplace fitter and builder in St Austell. A key part of the Building Regulations (Part J) for fireplaces is that sufficient oxygen is available in a room for a fire to burn safely and efficiently. A fire doesn't burn effectively in a room where there's not enough oxygen, and death or serious injury could occur where there's a build-up of carbon monoxide fumes.
To safely get around any issues with air flow, vents may need to be fitted in the room during a fireplace installation, to guarantee suitable levels of oxygen reach the fire. To avoid condensed air from becoming trapped in blocked off or unused chimney flues and producing staining and damp spots, vents may have to be installed by the fireplace installation team to introduce more airflow.
BEFORE WORK COMMENCES
Opening up an old fireplace can cause huge amounts of dust and soot to enter your room. Even with coverings for your home furnishings, the chance of impairment from grime and soot is still likely and it is advised to remove your furniture, rugs and carpets before any fireplace renovation work and chimney cleaning commences. If you are lucky enough to be working on a complete renovation project then it ought to be one of the first jobs to concentrate on before you re-plaster or decorate the walls. This helps prevent any staining damage to any restored work you've already completed.
CONSTRUCTION & STRUCTURAL WORK
With your fireplace now open, it's time to see what needs to be renovated and to give the hearth and chimney a comprehensive cleaning. You should now speak to your chimney sweep, if you haven't already done this, to come and clean the old fireplace and chimney. They'll be able to offer professional advice on the flue and chimney after sweeping, concerning the condition of the chimney and if you need to upgrade the existing lining.
After a chimney sweep assessment it may be necessary to install a new liner and/or strengthen the chimney breast in accordance with Part J of the UK Building Regulations. These are projects that require a skilled tradesman with a good understanding of the applicable building regs and sound construction skills.
If it is necessary to adjust the width of opening of your exposed fireplace to something more suitable for your design, a lintel support will have to be installed. When you have successfully supported your fireplace with a new lintel it is now necessary to renovate or update the hearth. You might find your existing hearth has been sunken into the floor, however to be in accordance with latest regulations it is required to be raised above floor level. If your fireplace is of non-standard size you might have to purchase a tailor-made hearth, but there are a wide variety of ready to fit hearths in marble, concrete or slate.
STYLE OF FIREPLACE
A quick browse online or a trip to a fireplace showroom will illustrate the choices available for the different styles and designs of fireplaces. The recommendations and advice from your fireplace installers, which will be in keeping with your specific requirements, will help you to pick a fireplace which is both perfect for your existing chimney and flue, and suited to your decor.
Whether you go for a wood burner, a multi-fuel stove or an open fireplace will depend on the all round look you are trying to establish, your current decor and in some cases, the age of your house. If you have an attractive inglenook fireplace, a cast iron wood burner can look spectacular in this surrounding, which also has the benefit of effectively deflecting heat back into the room from the brick or stone walls that surround the stove.
Even if your St Austell home does not have a chimney breast you've still got the option of a fireplace feature through the installation of a wood burning or multi fuel stove. A pre-existing chimney is not needed since a stainless steel flue is fitted to the rear or top of the stove and channeled through an outside wall.
OPEN, GAS, WOOD, MULTI-FUEL OR ELECTRIC FIREPLACE?
A crackling fire on a dark evening creates an ambience and charm that simply can't be matched, however what other options are available to install in your brand new fireplace in St Austell?
Multi-Fuel Stoves - Can be fired up with with a variety of fuels, including gas, oil, coal or wood, to establish a focal point in your house in St Austell. The AGA range for example is well known as being capable of providing heating for the entire home, a constant supply of hot water and a hob and oven for cooking all in one unit.
Gas Fireplaces - Delivering instant heat and being more efficient (thermally) than wood burners, there are a wide array of designs and styles to suit any St Austell property. A Gas Safe certified contractor must maintain and fit any gas fire in your home, (CORGI was replaced by Gas Safe registered qualification in 2009).
Wood Burning Stoves - Wood burners have become "the in thing" in many homes in St Austell, and can have classic or modern design to match your furnishings. A version with an integrated back boiler can provide extra heating capabilities by transferring the heated water to radiators in cold spots in your house.
Electric Fireplaces - Basic installation and a diverse choice of designs make electric fires an extremely popular choice for St Austell houses that don't have a chimney breast. Even if your house has a conventional fireplace, an electric fire can be installed that looks almost like a "real" fire with multi-coloured flames.
Open Fireplaces - Provides an attractive focal point for a room and can use a number of different solid fuels. An open fire is a sight to behold and contemporary fireplaces are no more the smoky, inefficient and draughty things that they once were.
Fireplace installations are available in St Austell and also in nearby places like: Polgooth, Porthpean, Charlestown, Mount Charles, Holmbush, Carlyon Bay, Penwithick, Boscoppa, Pentewan, Trethowel, Sticker, Trewoon, St Mewan, Buckler Village, Duporth, Carclaze, and in these postcodes PL25 3JJ, PL25 3BN, PL25 4BA, PL25 3BP, PL25 4BE, PL25 4BN, PL25 3EG, PL25 3HY, PL25 3UN, PL25 3UD. Locally based St Austell fireplace specialists will probably have the phone code 01726 and the postcode PL25. Checking this should confirm that you are accessing local tradesmen installing fireplaces. St Austell home and business owners can benefit from these and countless other related services.
Flues
An important addition to your chimney system, a flue or chimney liner improves the safety of your chimney while at the same time allowing it to perform more effectively than it would if it didn't have one. Fitted to the inside of chimneys to carry smoke and fumes to the outside, flue liners are ducts fabricated from ceramic material, clay or metal. A chimney on an older building in St Austell might not be fitted with a flue lining at all, or will need relining based on it's condition and age.
The harmful gases and fumes that are created when you burn a fire can damage your chimney's flue. Make certain that your fireplace installer examines the flue lining for possible issues and damage. If it is compromised, those hazardous gases might seep into your living area instead of being properly vented outdoors. There is an additional threat with damaged flue linings, in that they may enable intense heat to penetrate into the chimney's structure, which could result in fires.
Chimney Sweeping St Austell
It's easy to put off a routine household task like sweeping the chimney, but if you have an open fire or a log burning stove, it's essential that this is done frequently. It is advised that you sweep and clean the chimney at least once each year.
So as to get this job done properly it is best to bring in a qualified St Austell chimney sweep. While the chimney sweep is cleaning your chimney, he'll also be on the lookout for any safety issues or problems, so that they can then be resolved.
You may be running the risk of a chimney fire if you neglect to remove the build-up of ash, creosote and soot by sweeping it. Apart from the risk of fires there are other dangerous situations that can be caused by a badly maintained chimney, one example is that of carbon monoxide fumes being drawn back into your property.
Make sure that you pick a reliable chimney sweep in St Austell, and check that they're covered by public liability insurance in the event of accidents or damages. CLICK HERE to get chimney sweeping quotes for the St Austell area.
Improve the Efficiency of Your Fireplace
Along with worries about the environment, the traditional fireplace is missing some of its charm, although it's still a favourite for many property owners in St Austell. The natural warmth of a fireplace triggers special recollections for those who have them. There are many benefits to having a fireplace although there are several drawbacks that might need to be dealt with. With the cost of energy rising year after year, your fireplace has to give out heat in a cost-effective way. When you have a fire going in the fireplace, it can actually remove warm air out from the room, making your heat source work harder. The fireplace damper is supposed to prevent cold air from entering your home when you haven't got a fire going in the fireplace. Often times though, fireplace dampers are often very inefficient in keeping warm air in the dwelling and cold air out.
Many homeowners that currently have a fireplace in their residence in St Austell don't realise how the fireplace can have an effect on their energy bill. As opposed to conserving resources, and heating costs, it's generally adding hundreds of pounds of energy expense. There is a way to take your less than efficient fireplace, and remake it into a heat creating system that your budget will love. Just about all you need to do is only 4 fundamental things to fix your fireplace. These is going to make your fireplace very economical and very efficient.
Step one is to take away the old fireplace damper and replace it with a new top sealing damper. This kind of damper is mounted at the top end of the chimney, and acts like a storm door. It stops the outside air from coming in, and the internal air from getting out, and functions in hot or cold weather. The damper is simple to fit, and can be obtained online. An additional thing which can be done should be to position a fire-back at the rear of your fireplace. It is made of cast iron and it is used to enhance the appearance of your fireplace while shielding the back wall from fire damage. The fire-back reflects the heat from a fire, and sends it back into the room, improving the efficiency of the fireplace.
Another thing that is going to help is a fireplace fan/heater, which heats the room air that's being circulated through an internal chamber, and blows it back inside the room. These fireplace heaters are put in place as closed systems in order that they don't produce any smoke, but are quite effective in warming your house. The last thing that can be done is to install glass doors, which could be a bit on the expensive side. If you do your homework, you can definitely get a good deal on glass doors and they're not too hard to install yourself. These glass doors form a barrier between the chimney and living space, not only stopping the air in the room from escaping, but also providing protection to the inhabitants.
All these tips are easy to do, and the products can be easily found on the internet. Make the most of your fireplace and watch your energy costs fall.
St Austell Fireplace Related Tasks
There are a number of different tasks that can be accomplished by your local St Austell fireplace company including hearth fireplaces St Austell, classic fireplaces, fire grate conversions, fireplace replacement, electric fire baskets, bespoke fireplaces, fireplace removal St Austell, chimney sweeping, wood burning fireplaces St Austell, chimney cowl installation, gas fireplace installations in St Austell, chimney repairs, stone fireplace installations, traditional fireplaces, fireplace cleaning St Austell, inglenook fireplace installation, freestanding stoves, open fireplaces St Austell, limestone fireplaces, fireplace refurbishment, cast iron fireplaces, fireplace suites, fireplace hearths in St Austell, wood burning stove installations, fake fireplaces in St Austell, Victorian fireplace installations, period fireplaces, fireplace fitting St Austell, fireplace surrounds St Austell, fireplace packages, oak beam fireplaces, fireplace services, fireplace inserts St Austell, gas fireplaces St Austell, inset stoves St Austell, and lots more. These are just an example of the tasks that are accomplished by those installing fireplaces. St Austell specialists will inform you of their full range of fireplace services.
St Austell Skip Hire Services
Whenever you're undertaking any sort of home improvements or renovations in St Austell, you are likely to produce quite a lot of waste. Whether or not a lot of waste is created by your fireplace installations will depend on the specifics of your particular project, sometimes there will be lots of waste, other times not so much. In many instances the tradesman you are hiring will gladly remove the waste that's generated during the course of the work, but be warned - quite a few of them don't!
The most popular way that householders in St Austell dispose of such waste is to hire a skip from a local skip hire company. Different skip sizes are available to suit the volume of waste that you have. Generally mini-skips can accommodate roughly 2-3 cubic yds of rubbish, midi-skips can accommodate roughly 4-5 cubic yds of rubbish, builders skips can accommodate roughly 6-8 cubic yds of rubbish (65 bin bags) and roll-on-roll-off skips can accommodate roughly 20-25 cubic yds of rubbish. Skip bags usually take approximately 1-1.5 cubic yds of rubbish.
To get prices for all the different skip sizes CLICK HERE.
Searching On the Internet
When hunting for any kind of tradesmen these days, the majority of people in St Austell tend to head straight online to "Google it". With well known search engines like Google, Yahoo, Bing or Ask, you'll be able to get lots of immediate results. Nonetheless, the 1st page listings which are shown on the celebrated search engines are not always the best ones for your needs. Most home owners, when trying to locate fireplace installers in St Austell will type in "fireplace installation near me", "fireplace installation St Austell", "fireplace installation in St Austell" or "St Austell fireplace installation" into the search box and read through the resulting listings.
It's best to remember that the top 4 listings are quite often PPC (Pay Per Click) adverts and many of the other listings on page 1 are going to be directories like Scoot, Yelp, ThreeBestRated or Yell, or entries from multi-million pound companies such as Checkatrade, My Builder, TrustaTrader, Bidvine, Rated People or Quotatis. The web sites belonging to genuine fireplace installers in St Austell are going to be abandoned on page 2 or 3 of the search engine listings, therefore you will have to delve much deeper if you want to contact fireplace installers direct.
Fireplace Installers Near St Austell
Also find: Porthpean fireplace installers, Pentewan fireplace installers, Charlestown fireplace installers, Buckler Village fireplace installers, Sticker fireplace installers, Polgooth fireplace installers, Duporth fireplace installers, Mount Charles fireplace installers, Trethowel fireplace installers, Trewoon fireplace installers, Carlyon Bay fireplace installers, Boscoppa fireplace installers, Holmbush fireplace installers, St Mewan fireplace installers, Carclaze fireplace installers, Penwithick fireplace installers and more. People who install fireplaces can be found in all these localities. Possessing the necessary experience and knowledge, these seasoned tradespeople can adeptly install fireplaces in your home. These devoted professionals assist residents in achieving the warmth, atmosphere and comfort a fireplace contributes to living spaces. By clicking here, fireplace installation quotes are readily accessible to local homeowners.
Fireplace Services St Austell
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To find local St Austell information click here
Fireplace installation in PL25 area, telephone code 01726.