Fireplace Fitter Toddington Bedfordshire (LU5): A fantastic way to add extra character, charm and a welcoming feel to any property in Toddington, is to re-open an old disused fireplace to install a wood burning, open or multi-fuel fireplace. The addition of a wood burning stove or open fire for those chilly winters' days can even be cheaper than a regular central heating system, as long as you have a regular source of wood or fuel. If used in combination with a back boiler it can supply you with plentiful steaming hot water at the same time.
There are a few things you'll need to do to make sure you can install your new fireplace in a safe and efficient way, before you start to prise away at a blocked chimney breast. Any combustible appliance within domestic homes in Toddington must conform to Part J of the Building Regs, and this covers hearths, flue linings, fireplaces and chimney breasts. If you reside in a building that is listed, or a property that sits in a conservation, you will need to find out if you need to get planning permission for the installation of a fireplace.
DIY OR PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION?
If you're a keen DIYer it may be quite possible to renovate an existing blocked up fireplace, but the likelihood of encountering structural issues in the majority of cases is high. If you are lucky when you open up a stopped up fireplace you may find a decent lintel, chimney breast and hearth that requires nothing other than the services and advice of a chimney sweep to get it ready for a fire once more. Much more likely you will come across a stopped up flue and crumbling brickwork that requires structural modifications.
If fireplaces are installed incorrectly there is not just a risk of fire to your home, but there can also be associated health hazards, which is why it is best to hire an experienced Toddington installation team for fireplaces. As mentioned in the Building Regulations for fireplaces, there must be adequate airflow in a room where there's a fireplace, because in order for it to burn properly and efficiently, a sufficient amount of oxygen is required. An inefficiently burning fire in a poorly ventilated room can result in a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide fumes.
To ensure adequate oxygen levels reach the fire at all times, and to effectively overcome any problems with air flow, vents will need to be fitted in the room as part of a fireplace installation. Moist, condensed air can easily get trapped in blocked or unused chimney flues which could also need to have vents installed to increase air circulation, and prevent problems with dampness and staining on the chimney breast.
BEFORE WORK STARTS
When re-opening a fireplace for refurbishing, you might be surprised by the magnitude of the soot and dust that has built-up in your chimney. So that any carpets, rugs and furniture within an area don't get adversely affected by the soot and muck that is expelled during work by a fireplace installer, it's sensible to remove them in advance. When it's merely a part of a bigger home refurbishment project, opening up an old fireplace should be one of the initial tasks to be worked on, because of the mess that's involved. This should help to avoid damage to other stages of your renovation project (i.e. fresh plasterwork or wallpapered walls), by dust and chimney soot that is emitted.
CONSTRUCTION & STRUCTURAL WORK
When the fireplace has been opened up and revealed, you will have a clearer picture of the sort of refurbishment work that needs to be done. You can also then proceed with sweeping the chimney and cleaning any surviving elements of the hearth and back panel. The very first thing on your agenda will be to bring in a proper Toddington chimney sweep. While doing cleaning and sweeping, they'll be perfectly placed to assess the structural stability of your flue liner and chimney, and advise what's needed to get everything working correctly.
Following a chimney sweeps examination it may be required to strengthen the chimney breast or/and install a new flue liner in keeping with Part J of the UK Building Regulations. A good fireplace installer in Toddington will be needed to complete this work, and will need the knowledge and skills in construction to closely follow all regulations.
In an older building a concrete supporting lintel may be required to modify the opening, if you find that the revealed fireplace is too large. As soon as this has been completed the next step for your Toddington fireplace installation should be to modernise the old hearth. In the old days the hearth was generally sunken into a void in the floor, but the current Building Regulations require it to be raised at least 12.5mm above the normal level of the floor. To accomplish this, there are off-the-shelf options in stone, slate or marble, or you may prefer a made to measure, bespoke hearth to complement your room design, which your fireplace builder in Toddington will be able to help you with.
FIREPLACE DESIGNS
Because of the wide array of different fireplace designs and styles, choosing the most suitable one may not be that clear-cut. You can check out what's on the market by going online or by visiting your nearest fireplace showroom. Not all fireplaces might be suitable for your existing flue and chimney and it's wise to accept any advice and guidance from your sales and installation team regarding your particular circumstances.
Certain properties and rooms will be more suited to open fireplaces than a wood burning or multi-fuel stove and vice versa. By way of example, a wood burning stove looks great set into an inglenook fireplace, which highlights the character and charm of the stove and also deflects any heat that is produced back into the room to good effect.
Even if you don't have a chimney breast in your Toddington home, it's still feasible to put in a wood burner. You do not have to have a chimney breast to enjoy a genuine fire, so long as you have an outside wall through which a flue from the stove can be passed.
WOOD, ELECTRIC, GAS, MULTI-FUEL OR OPEN FIREPLACE?
If this sort of fireplace cannot be installed within your Toddington property, what other alternatives are there?
Wood Burning Stoves - A wide variety of styles to go with any kind of property in Toddington, and, if needed, can even be a free standing feature. When used together with a back boiler, these stoves can provide additional heating capabilities by transferring the heated water to a colder area of your house via a radiator.
Gas Fireplaces - Gas fires are superior to multi-fuel stoves or wood burners in relation to their thermal efficiency, and you will find an assortment of sizes and styles to suit any house in Toddington. A Gas Safe registered technician must install and maintain any gas fireplace in your property.
Electric Fireplaces - A popular choice for homeowners in Toddington, these fires can be fitted by pretty much any competent person, safely and easily. Contemporary electric fires can provide "real" looking flame effects and even the crackling sound of wood to replicate a real fire when inset into a conventional fireplace.
Multi-Fuel Stoves - As you will doubtless guess from the name, these stoves can burn a selection of fuels, including oil, gas, wood or smokeless coal, and furthermore, they can also become a unique focal point for your living space. These products can be utilised not merely for heating a single room, but some designs such as the AGA range, can supply hot water, provide a useful cooking area and can be employed to heat the complete house if they're plumbed into an existing radiator system.
Open Fireplaces - Being able to burn almost any solid fuel in the marketplace, the open fireplace can produce a crackling fire as a good centrepiece for a room or living space. Today's fireplaces are not the smoky, inefficient and draughty features that they were in the past, and an open fire creates a warm, toasty environment for the occupants to enjoy.
Brick Fireplaces
Brick fireplaces have for centuries been a staple in home design. They provide warmth, charm and character to any space. Whilst traditional brick fireplaces were mostly used for the purpose of heating, they've evolved to become a statement piece in many contemporary homes. Below are some things to think about if you're considering a brick fireplace for your property in Toddington.
Firstly, you'll need to decide on the type of fireplace you want. Conventional brick fireplaces commonly feature a simple design with a hearth and mantel. However, you can also decide on a more contemporary design with clean lines and a sleek finish.
Brick fireplaces can be constructed from a number of different types of brick, each with its own unique colour and texture. You'll want to go for a brick that matches the design of your property and fits with the overall look that you are trying to achieve.
Lastly, consider the practical elements of a brick fireplace. Make certain that the fireplace is properly vented and that you've got a fully functioning chimney. If you intend to use the fireplace for heat, consider putting in a fireplace insert or glass doors to enhance its efficiency and safety.
To conclude, brick fireplaces are a timeless addition to any home. They're durable, versatile, and provide warmth and comfort for many years. If you are considering a fireplace for your property in Toddington, a brick fireplace is a good choice.
Chimney Sweep
Irrespective of whether you have an open fire or a wood burning stove, it is advisable to get your chimney swept frequently. To be completely safe, it's wise to sweep and clean your chimney two times per year, especially if you're burning coal or wood.
In order to get this work done correctly it is best to call in a specialist Toddington chimney sweep. There are additional benefits to calling in a professional, because if there are any safety issues with your chimney, the chimney sweep is trained to spot them.
Failure to sweep your chimney in Toddington can soon result in an accumulation of soot and ash which can lead to chimney fires. A poorly maintained chimney can also cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to flow back into your home, a hazardous situation that you want to avoid at all costs.
Make certain you hire a dependable chimney sweep in Toddington, and check that they are covered by public liability insurance in case of accidents or damages. CLICK HERE to get a chimney sweeps quote in Toddington.
Natural Stone Fireplaces Toddington
You could consider bringing the outdoors inside, and build a natural stone fireplace, which is a great way to achieve a really spectacular look. It's possible that your home's exterior has already got some natural features, such as stone boundary walls or a stone facade. These external features could be coordinated with your stone fireplace indoors.
A natural stone fireplace can be built using either full-depth stone or a thinner stone cladding. Your taste and spending budget could determine which of these you choose. There are also various different types of stone which can be employed to build a fireplace, including: sandstone, quartz, granite, limestone, slate or marble.
The exact appearance of your completed fireplace will depend on the sort of stone which is used, the method of building and the individuality of the tradesperson or stonemason who builds it. Take a look online and find some designs you like, and show these to your fireplace installer before they make a start.
While some modern day properties may not suit the look of a natural stone fireplace, there are lots of stylish designs using a blend of stone, wood and metal, that can be particularly striking in appearance.
Flue Linings
A chimney or flue lining is a vital part of the chimney set-up on your home, allowing it to function more effectively and improving the safety of your chimney. With the objective of transporting smoke and fumes safely to the outside of a building, flue liners are ducts made from clay, ceramic material or metal that are installed inside chimneys. Some older chimneys in Toddington may not even be fitted with a lining, or if the existing liner is compromised, may need to be re-lined.
Whilst a fire is burning, some toxic fumes and gases are the result, and the flue inside your chimney can be harmed and worn away by these gases. Your flue lining should be routinely assessed for damage and potential problems whenever it's being swept. A flue which has been compromised might allow those harmful gases to leak into your living area, rather than venting them outside. There can be an increased likelihood of house fires when flu linings are impaired, since excessive heat is able to reach the actual structure of the chimney, often with lethal results.
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More Toddington Tradespeople: Any time you're considering doing improvements to your home in Toddington, Bedfordshire, it's quite possible that you'll need a number of different tradespeople over the course of the project, and while you might currently be searching for a local Toddington fireplace installer, you might also be in the market for a stonemason in Toddington, a flooring specialist in Toddington, a plasterer in Toddington, waste removal in Toddington, a cleaner in Toddington, SKIP HIRE in Toddington, a metal worker in Toddington, a carpenter in Toddington, a bricklayer in Toddington, a heating engineer in Toddington, a damp proofer in Toddington, a chimney sweep in Toddington, a roofing specialist in Toddington, an electrician in Toddington, a builder in Toddington, a handyperson in Toddington, a painter and decorator in Toddington, pressure washing in Toddington, and more.
Fireplace Installers Near Toddington
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Toddington Fireplace Related Tasks
The assortment of tasks that can be accomplished by your local fireplace fitter are varied and wide, and will typically include things like Victorian fireplaces Toddington, fire grate conversions, the installation of modern fireplaces, period fireplaces, Victorian fireplace installations Toddington, classic fireplaces, fireplaceprice quotes Toddington, fireplace installation Toddington, fireplace services, fake fireplaces, chimney strengthening, fireplace removal, fireplace restoration Toddington, fireplace design, fireplace replacement, flue liners, gas fireplaces in Toddington, marble fireplace installation, stone fireplaces, limestone fireplace, hearth fireplaces, Victorian fireplaces, marble fireplaces, inset stove installation, contemporary fireplaces Toddington, gas fireplace installation, fireplace repairs in Toddington, fake fireplace installation, bespoke fireplaces in Toddington, corner fireplaces, traditional fireplaces Toddington, chimney repairs, designer fireplaces, multifuel & wood burning stoves, fireplace cleaning, and others unlisted. Toddington companies will provide a full list of their fireplace services when asked.
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