Fireplace Fitter Stockport Greater Manchester (SK3): Re-opening a disused fireplace to install an open fire, a wood burner or a gas fire is an effective way to add a homely feel and some charm to any Stockport home. If you integrate a back boiler with your new fire you can even enjoy free hot water as well. Chilly winter's evenings can become a pleasure as you relax beside your fireplace listening to the crackle of firewood.
Before any serious work gets under way, for instance prising away at a blocked chimney or knocking down the walls of a boarded up fireplace, there are some all-important things you need to consider. The Part J Building Regulations for combustible appliances for starters, which relates to any work which is conducted on hearths, flue linings, fireplaces and chimney breasts. Planning permission may also be needed before work begins if your property is listed or in a conservation area.
DIY OR PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION?
If any building work is involved with your fireplace installation project, safety and structural issues may arise that need to be resolved by a professional, although a skilled do-it-yourself fanatic might be able to take a shot at a straightforward restoration of an existing fireplace. It may be your good fortune when you remove the covering from an old fireplace to uncover a hidden treasure which requires nothing more than a quick clean up and a visit from a chimney sweep to get a fire roaring once again. However, what you'll more likely discover is a patch of crumbling bricks that hides issues such as a lintel that needs replacing or a blocked up chimney.
An improperly installed fireplace can cause severe respiratory health problems and fire risk and, as such, should only be put in by a professional fireplace specialist in Stockport with the knowledge and experience to do the work safely. There must always be airflow into a room or space where there is a fireplace to ensure sufficient levels of oxygen allow the fire to burn properly. If there is not enough airflow then it is possible that a fire will not burn efficiently and cause carbon monoxide fumes to build up, which can be lethal.
To overcome this problem a professional Stockport fireplace fitter will assess the situation and install vents in the room, or beneath the floors, to guarantee an adequate amount of air flow for the fire to combust properly and safely. To enhance ventilation within unused or blocked chimney flues, your fireplace installation engineer might also need to fit flue vents to prevent condensed air becoming trapped and causing damp areas and staining.
BEFORE WORK STARTS
Having a fireplace opened up can create large amounts of muck and soot. A decent Stockport fireplace fitter will bring dust sheets to cover up your home furnishings and supply a bit of protection, but it is advisable where feasible to remove furniture and woven floor coverings from the area before work starts. If it's only a part of a bigger refurbishment project, the opening up of an unused fireplace should be one of the very first tasks that you tackle, because of the mess that's involved. The reasoning behind this is to avoid any staining damage to any restoration work which has previously been accomplished.
CONSTRUCTION & STRUCTURAL WORK
Once you have exposed your old fireplace you'll have a better idea of what work is needed, and also be able to rigorously sweep the chimney and clean up any parts of hearth that remains. If this has not already been done, you can now get in touch with a local Stockport chimney sweep. While doing cleaning, they'll be perfectly placed to determine the structural condition of your flue and chimney, and propose what's needed to knock it back into shape.
Following an evaluation by a competent Stockport chimney sweep, and in accordance with the UK Building Regulations, work to install a new flue liner and/or strengthen the chimney structure might be required. These are jobs that should be done by an experienced builder with a knowledge of the applicable building regs and sound construction skills.
If it is necessary to adjust the width of opening of your original fireplace to a more suitable size for your new design, a lintel support should be put in. The installation, updating and repair of the fireplace hearth can commence once the lintel is in position. The current Building Regulations in the UK state that the hearth must be raised above floor level, although in past days it would have been sunk into the floor. Off-the-shelf options from stone, marble or slate are available to accomplish this, or your fireplace fitter in Stockport may be able to offer you a bespoke, made to measure hearth to complement the style of your room.
FIREPLACE STYLES AND DESIGNS
You'll soon discover that you're spoiled for choice, with the huge selection of different choices that are available to you, when enter a high quality fireplace showroom. It is quite possible that owing to your existing chimney and flue, that certain fireplaces might not be appropriate, and it's a good idea to follow the the recommendations and advice of the fireplace company in this respect.
A multi-fuel or wood burning stove will be a good choice some rooms and dwellings in Stockport, whilst an open fireplace will be more appropriate for others. For example, an attractive inglenook fireplace can be a perfect backdrop to a traditional cast iron wood-burner stove, which highlights its charm and deflects the heat into the room.
For dwellings in Stockport that don't have a chimney breast, a wood burning or multi fuel stove is an excellent solution. You don't have to have an existing chimney to experience a real fire, providing that you've got an exterior wall through which a stainless steel flue from the stove can be passed.
MULTI-FUEL, GAS, ELECTRIC, WOOD OR OPEN FIREPLACE?
The charm and look of a "real" fire can't be beaten, however what alternatives are available if this kind of fireplace isn't possible in your Stockport property?
Gas Fireplaces - There are a whole host of designs to complement any property in Stockport, and as they provide "instantaneous" heat, they're more heat efficient than multi-fuel stoves or wood burners in general. Gas fires can only be installed and maintained by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer, (Gas Safe replaced CORGI registration in 2009).
Multi-Fuel Stoves - To introduce an eye-catching focal point in your home in Stockport, these stoves can be run on a selection of different fuels, such as oil, smokeless coal, gas or wood. Some types, like the AGA range of multi-fuel stoves, can also be used for generating hot water, cooking and heating your entire property.
Open Fireplaces - Having the capacity to burn just about any solid fuel in the marketplace, the open fireplace can provide a crackling fire as an eye-catching focal point for any room or living space. Being far from the old-fashioned smoky fireplace, a modern, expertly installed open fire provides a warm and cosy atmosphere in any Stockport property.
Electric Fireplaces - Basic installation and a wide choice of designs make electric fireplaces the obvious choice for Stockport homes without a chimney breast. Modern electric fires can provide authentic looking flame effects and and sometimes even the crackling sound of wood to imitate an open fire when set into into a conventional fireplace.
Wood Burning Stoves - Wood burning stoves have grown to be very popular in many properties in Stockport, and can have classic or modern design to complement your furnishings. If coupled with a back boiler they can provide piping hot water for radiators or for other use around the house.
Fireplace installers can be located in Stockport itself, in these nearby postcodes: M18 7JW, SK1 1NF, SK1 1LN, SK1 1JE, SK1 1NZ, M19 3JN, M34 2FF, M18 7TQ, M19 1TL, and M19 2UP, plus in neighbouring areas like Great Moor, Heaton Moor, Reddish, Brinnington, Heaton Norris, Offerton, Davenport, Heaton Chapel, Burnage. If they've got the telephone code 0161 and the postcode SK3, it's fairly likely that they hail from Stockport or someplace close by. Verifying that this is the case should make sure that you are considering a local fireplace fitter.
Stone Fireplaces Stockport
For that really spectacular look why not think about bringing the outdoors inside with a stone fireplace? A stone boundary wall or stone facade could already be a natural stone feature of your property's external areas. You could create a feature on the inside that complements those on the outside.
You can create a natural stone fireplace by using either a full-depth stone or a thinner stone cladding, and the one you choose may be determined by your taste and how much you are willing to spend. Also, slate, quartz, sandstone, granite, marble or limestone, are among the different types of stone which can be employed to build a fireplace.
Just how your fireplace looks when it is complete will be affected by the individuality of the tradesman or stonemason who builds it, the style of building (mortar joints or dry stone) and the type of stone which is used. You should get some photographs prepared featuring the type of design you're interested in, and before any work begins, you can show them to your fireplace builder.
Many modern dwellings aren't really suited to the look of a stone fireplace, mainly because stone can be so striking, and dominate the appearance of a space. However, each individual homeowner has their own preferences and taste, therefore it's for them to decide.
Improve the Cost-Efficiency of Your Open Fireplace in Stockport
The age-old open fireplace has lost a certain amount of of its glamour because of concerns for the environment but it is still favoured by many in Stockport. There's nothing quite like feeling the warmth of a fireplace on a cold winter evening. There are many upsides to having a fireplace however there are several drawbacks that might need to be dealt with. Because of power costs going up so quickly nowadays, your fireplace must be a source of heat, not one of inefficiency. While having a fire alight in a fireplace keeps the people close to it warm, it actually removes warm air from the rest of the space, causing your heat source to work harder. Anytime there is no fire, a damper ought to control the airflow. Unfortunately, dampers have a very ineffective seal, so cold air can get in, and warmer air goes out.
Many families that have a fireplace in their home in Stockport do not realize how the fireplace can have an effect on their utility bill. Rather than keeping heating costs down, it may actually do the precise reverse if one is not careful. You will find there's a way to take your ineffective fireplace, and remake it into a heat creating system that will more closely fit your budget. There are 4 simple steps that you can take to change your fireplace into a cost-effective heat resource. These definitely will make your fireplace far more economical, and reduce your energy bills.
The first point is to swap your fireplace damper with a top sealing damper. A top sealing damper is fitted toward the top end of your chimney which in turn also doubles as a storm door. It does a superb job of preserving warm air in the property during winter months and cool air from getting out in the summertime. The product is simple to install, and can be bought on the internet. Another thing you could choose to do is fix a fire-back in the back part of your fireplace. A fire-back is constructed of cast iron and it is meant to protect the wall behind from fire damage, while making your fireplace look stylish. The fire-back will take the heat from a fire, and radiates the heat back into the room, increasing the efficiency of the fireplace.
Another option is to obtain a fireplace heater/fan, which draws cool air in and warms it up. These devices do not discharge any smoke and should be very successful in keeping your family home warm. Finally, you may put in glass doors which will likely be the most expensive. If you do your homework, you can definitely get a good deal on glass doors and they aren't too difficult to install yourself. Glass doors is able to keep the air in your house from escaping and it also helps to safeguard your children and pets from accidentally falling into the fire.
The information we've just given isn't difficult to implement, and all of the products can be readily purchased on the internet. Preserve your current fireplace and decrease heating bills by making it more efficient.
Brick Fireplaces
Brick fireplaces have been a popular feature in buildings for many centuries, and they remain a beloved design element today. A brick fireplace can add character, warmth, and a little rustic charm to any space. The following are a few things to think about if you are considering adding a brick fireplace to your property in Stockport.
Firstly, you'll need to choose the design of fireplace you prefer. Standard brick fireplaces usually feature a basic design with a mantel and hearth. However, you could also go with a more contemporary design with a sleek finish and clean lines.
Brick fireplaces can be constructed using different types of brick. You can choose between a number of brick colours and textures to match your home's design. It is also possible to add additional elements such as stone, wood or tile to accentuate the brick.
Lastly, keep in mind the functional considerations. A brick fireplace can be a way to heat your property, so you'll want to make certain it's properly vented and that you're using it safely.
A brick fireplace can be eye-catching and functional addition to your house in Stockport. With a bit of attention to detail and planning, you can build a fireplace that not only provides warmth but also adds character and charm to your home.
Flue Linings
Put in to boost the efficiency and safety of your chimney structure, a flue liner (or chimney liner) is crucial and shouldn't be left out in any circumstances. Installed inside chimneys to carry fumes outside, flue liners are conduits manufactured from clay, metal or ceramic material. An older chimney in Stockport may in fact not have a flue liner at all, or will need to be relined depending on it's condition and age.
Your chimney flue can, over time, be damaged by the hazardous fumes and gases that are generated by the burning of a fire. When you are having your chimney swept, it's a no-brainer get the chimney sweep to check for any damage and possible issues. You must prevent those toxic gases from leaking into your home's living space, which is what can happen when a flue lining is impaired. There is furthermore the risk of fires inside the home as a broken flue liner can permit extreme heat to penetrate the chimney's structure.
Fireplace Installers Near Stockport
Also find: Heaton Norris fireplace installers, Reddish fireplace installers, Heaton Chapel fireplace installers, Great Moor fireplace installers, Davenport fireplace installers, Brinnington fireplace installers, Burnage fireplace installers, Heaton Moor fireplace installers, Offerton fireplace installers and more. All of these towns and villages are catered for by people who fit fireplaces. In your home, these skilled tradespeople can put their expertise and know-how to use for successfully installing fireplaces. With these dedicated professionals at their service, residents can bask in the comforting and warm ambiance a fireplace brings to their living areas. Local householders can get fireplace installation price quotes by simply clicking here.
Stockport Fireplace Related Tasks
The assortment of tasks that can be completed by your local fireplace installer are wide and varied, and should include things like the installation of outdoor fireplaces in Stockport, traditional fireplace installations Stockport, traditional fireplaces Stockport, fireplacerates Stockport, multifuel & wood burning stove installations in Stockport, marble fireplace installation, Regency fireplaces Stockport, fire grate conversions, chimney repairs, fireplace hearths, fake fireplaces Stockport, 3-sided fireplaces, fireplace refurbishment, electric fire baskets, Victorian fireplaces Stockport, wood burning fireplaces, corner fireplaces, cast iron fireplace installations, open fireplaces, gas fireplace installation, inset stove installation, carbon monoxide detector installation, fireplace repairs, fireplace installation, chimney strengthening Stockport, wood fireplace mantels in Stockport, cheap fireplace installation, wood burning fireplace installations, chimney lining, cast fireplaces, marble fireplace surrounds Stockport, modern fireplace installations Stockport, reclaimed fireplaces Stockport, traditional electric fires Stockport, designer fireplaces, and others not mentioned.
Fireplace Installers Stockport - Stone Fireplaces Stockport - Fireplace Fitters Stockport - Fireplace Installation Services Stockport - Fireplace Fitters Near Me - Fireplace Installation Estimates Stockport - Fireplace Stockport - Fireplace Ideas Stockport - Fireplace Fitter Stockport