Fireplace Fitter Westminster Greater London (SW1): Opening up an old disused fireplace to install a wood burner, multi fuel or open fire is a wonderful way to add a homely feel and a bit of character to your Westminster property. If you combine your fireplace with a back boiler, not only can you delight in the ambience and warmth of an open fire on those nippy winter evenings, you will also be provided with a plentiful supply of hot water.
If you are going to to finish up with a safe and efficient fireplace, there are some essential aspects to consider, before you begin smashing down the walls of a bricked-up fireplace. Any combustible appliance installed within the home must conform to Part J of the Building Regulations, and this covers flue linings, hearths, chimney breasts and fireplaces. For a fireplace installation in a building that is listed, or one that is situated in an official conservation area, you will have to find out from your local council if planning permission will be necessary.

DIY OR PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION?
You may be able to do some of the work in renovating an existing fireplace if you've got the ability to do so, however structural and safety issues are often found that need to be resolved by a specialist. It may be that in order to get a fire burning once more you will need nothing more than a good clean of the hearth and a visit from a chimney sweep. It's much more likely however, that you'll find a flue that is blocked and an expanse of old brickwork that will need structural reinforcement to make sure that it's safe.
It's generally advisable to rely on the know-how and experience of a specialist fireplace fitter in Westminster, because of the severe fire and health risks associated with an incorrectly fitted or renovated fireplace. A major part of the Building Regulations (Part J) for fireplaces is that enough oxygen is available in a room for the fire to burn properly and efficiently. If the airflow is not sufficient then it is possible that a fire will not burn efficiently and cause a build-up of carbon monoxide, which can be deadly.
To effectively get around any issues with air flow, vents might be fitted around the room during a fireplace installation, to ensure suitable levels of oxygen reach the fireplace. To avoid condensed air from becoming trapped in blocked off or unused chimney flues and creating damp spots and staining, vents might need to be fitted by the fireplace installation team to introduce some airflow.

BEFORE WORK STARTS
An enormous amount of dirt and soot can be released from a blocked up chimney when reopening it for restoration. It is advisable to remove any rugs, carpets and furniture from an area where you are going to open up an old fireplace, to prevent them being affected by dust, soot and muck that might be whipped up during the fireplace installation and chimney cleaning works. If it is merely a part of a bigger renovation project, the opening up of an old fireplace ought to be one of the very first tasks that you do, due to the mess involved. The reasoning behind this is to avoid any discolouration damage to any work which has already been finished.
CONSTRUCTION AND STRUCTURAL WORK
Once the old fireplace has been successfully opened up, you'll have a much clearer concept of the sort of restoration work that needs to be done. You can then also proceed to sweep the chimney and clean any salvageable elements of the hearth and back panel. You now ought to get hold of your chimney sweep, if you've not already done this, to come and look at the old fireplace and chimney. They'll be able to offer you expert advice on the chimney and flue after sweeping, regarding the condition of the chimney structure and whether it is advisable to upgrade the existing liner.
All the relevant Building Regulations must be adhered to, if it is necessary to strengthen the chimney structure or install a flue lining. This is not likely to be the kind of work that you can do yourself, therefore you'll have to bring in a competent builder with experience in good construction practices and an understanding of the Building Regs.
You can't be certain that the size of the exposed fireplace will correspond to the layout that you have planned, which means that it may be necessary to install a steel or concrete lintel. Once your concrete lintel is safely in position you can now press on with the renovation, upgrade and installation of the hearth. In past days the hearth would be sunken into a void in the floor, but the current Building Regulations demand that it's raised above floor level. There are made to measure solutions to fit pretty much any design and size of fireplace, or you can pick from a range of popular size and shape hearths to match your decor.

DESIGNS AND STYLES OF FIREPLACE
If you visit a fireplace dealership you will find that you have plenty of choice with the wide range of different options available to you. It's a good idea to listen to the specialist advice of the installers and the sales team, because all fireplaces will not necessarily be suitable for your particular chimney, flue and airflow.
An open fireplace will be the perfect option for some rooms and properties in Westminster, while a wood burner or multi fuel stove will be more suitable for others. An old-fashioned iron wood-burner stove for instance, will look splendid when set into an inglenook fireplace, which reflects any heat that is produced back into the room and draws attention to its beauty and charm.
Even if you don't have an existing chimney breast in your Westminster home, it is still possible to put in a wood burning stove. A pre-existing chimney is not needed because the flue is fitted to the top or rear of the stove and taken out through an outside wall.
WOOD, GAS, OPEN, MULTI-FUEL OR ELECTRIC FIREPLACE?
The charm and look of an open fire cannot be matched, however what alternatives are out there if this type of fireplace isn't possible within your Westminster home?
Gas Fireplaces - Their efficiency to warm up a room is much better than wood burner stoves, and there lots of designs to complement all types of home in Westminster. Only a Gas Safe heating technician is permitted to install these fires.
Electric Fireplaces - These are perfect for any room and type of house in Westminster, and can be safely and easily fitted by any reasonably competent person. They can be set into conventional fireplaces, and with the "real" looking feel of modern electric fires it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish one from the real thing.
Open Fireplaces - The classic fireplace that can use different fuels such as wood, briquettes, coal and other combustive products. A professionally installed contemporary open fire will be nothing like the old style smoky fireplace that was perhaps bricked up by past owners, and its glowing charm is a welcome addition to any home in Westminster.
Multi-Fuel Stoves - Running on a selection of fuels such as wood, gas, oil or coal, a multi-fuel stove can become a focal point in your living space. If plumbed into your radiators or central heating system, some multi-fuel stoves (such as those from AGA) can provide heating for your entire home, in addition to hot water, cooking facilities and even outdoor barbecue grills.

Wood Burning Stoves - These stoves can have modern or old-fashioned styling to complement your decor, and they've become very popular in many households in Westminster. If coupled with a back boiler can provide hot water to heat radiators or for other use around the home.
Fireplace installation companies can be accessed in the Westminster area, as well as in: Shepherds Bush, Mayfair, Southwark, Whitehall, Churchill Gardens, Belgravia, Knightsbridge, Kensington, Waterloo, St James's, Vauxhall, Hyde Park, Covent Garden, Victoria, Pimlico, plus these postcode areas: SW1H 0BH, SW1E 5JD, SW1H 0DJ, SW1E 6DR, SW1H 0EX, SW1A 2EX, SW1H 0AB, SW1E 5BB, SW1A 2BA, SW1A 2JR. Westminster fireplace services should have the postcode SW1 and the phone code 020. Westminster people are spoilt for choice when searching for fireplace contractors.
Chimney Cowl Installation Westminster
To improve draft and help to stop back-up, a chimney cowl is a hood-shaped cover for your chimney. Sitting neatly on top of your chimney pot, and typically made from galvanized iron, it stops the wind from blowing smoke back down your chimney. For any chimney system in Westminster, it is a key component. Chimney cowls can be bought online or in a hardware shops. Whether you opt to make an existing one work more efficiently, or acquire a brand new one, a cowl will keep your fireplace or stove working to the best of its ability.
There are several forms of chimney cowls available. There are pot hanging cowls that can be installed without the need to remove the chimney pot. They connect to the flue liner by means of 3 straps, which secure the cowl in place. Another style of cowl is a weathering cap, which is attached to the end of the flue system. It is larger than the chimney pot, which makes sure that it stays in position.
You can also find chimney cowls made from commonplace products, such as a stainless steel colander or steel bucket. Chicken wire can also be used to make a fairly effective cowl. Clay flower pots also make fantastic chimney cowls. These covers can be readily purchased at a 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 the most effective at stabilising the draught and enables your fireplace to function more efficiently. It is made out of a series of H-shaped pipes that isolate the combustion gases from down draughts. It originally served marine applications, but has become popular among property owners because of its energy-saving functionality.
Another type is the Aerodyne cowl. It works by drawing air into the chimney cowl and reducing downdraught. It is available in an assortment of colours. Its venturi shape draws air into the chimney cowl, creating a drop in air pressure that draws air upward from the fireplace or stove.
Chimney cowls are an easy way to prevent birds from nesting in your chimney and blocking the entire thing up. They're cheap and simple to install. You should make certain you have easy access to the space above the chimney stack to fit one effectively. It can also prevent dirt and debris from accumulating inside the chimney.
Chimney Sweep Westminster
If you've got a log burning stove or an open fire in your home in Westminster, the regular sweeping of your chimney is essential. To be fully safe, it is advisable to clean and sweep your chimney twice each year, particularly if you're burning wood or bituminous coal.

You should always call in a professional Westminster chimney sweep, because this can be a messy job. Not only does this mean that you chimney is kept clean, the chimney sweep will be able to highlight any problems with you chimney.
A build-up of ash and soot can lead to chimney fires if you neglect to sweep your chimney. Apart from fires there are other dangerous situations that can be caused by a poorly maintained chimney, one example is that of poisonous carbon monoxide fumes flowing back into your house.
Check that your chosen chimney sweep in Westminster is properly covered by public liability insurance, and is knowledgeable in this field. To find out the current prices of chimney sweeps in Westminster CLICK HERE.
Our Next Article:
Chimney repairs Westminster.
Searching For Fireplace Installation On the Web

When trying to find any kind of tradesmen or services these days, almost all property owners in Westminster seem to head straight online to "Google it". With well known search engines like Google, Yahoo, Ask or Bing, you are able to glean lots of on the spot results. However, the search engines named above quite often provide page 1 listings that are not the most relevant. When searching for fireplace installers in Westminster most householders will enter "Westminster fireplace installation", "fireplace installation Westminster", "fireplace installation in Westminster" or "fireplace installation near me", and review the listings.
Business directories such as Foursquare, Yelp, 3 Best Rated or Yell, or listings for major lead creation sites like Quotatis, TrustaTrader, Bidvine, Rated People, My Hammer or Checkatrade will likely show up highly on the first page of listings, as will purely pay per click (PPC) advertisements. You will more likely discover the sites of real fireplace installers out of sight on the 2nd or 3rd pages of the search engine results, forced down by the wealthier companies who can better afford SEO.
Information and Advice

By looking at YouTube videos like this you're able to discover how to install a recessed electric wall mounted fireplace. To follow discussions about fireplace installation go to the popular Buildhub Forum, discussions include things like building regulations, trims for stoves, pellet boilers and stoves, log burners, chimney design and widening fireplaces. If you would like to discover more on fireplaces, you will find specifics on the heating efficiency of fireplaces, the history of the fireplace, the health effects of fireplaces, how fireplaces affect the environment, the various types of fireplaces and coal burning fireplaces, by heading to Wikipedia. There are plenty of very good guides about fireplace installation on the web, subsequently if you are interested in finding out about fireplace mantels check this out. To discover more about the most recent fireplace developments on social media, check this out.
Westminster Fireplace Related Tasks

There are a whole host of tasks that can be accomplished by your local Westminster fireplace installer including wood mantels, freestanding stoves, marble fireplace installation, fireplace design, chimney repairs, brick fireplace installations, built-in electric fires Westminster, fireplace surrounds, stone fireplaces in Westminster, electric fireplaces in Westminster, Regency fireplaces Westminster, the installation of modern fireplaces in Westminster, chimney strengthening, wood burning fireplace installation, cheap fireplaces in Westminster, electric fireplace installations, multifuel & wood burning stove installations, Victorian fireplaces Westminster, made-to-measure fireplaces, chimney lining, stone fireplace installations, fireplace packages in Westminster, flue lining inspections Westminster, outdoor fireplaces Westminster, fireplace inserts, Victorian fireplace installation in Westminster, outdoor fireplace installation Westminster, hearth fireplaces in Westminster, fireplace cleaning, chimney cowl installation in Westminster, designer fireplaces Westminster, fireplace replacement, the installation of tiled fireplaces Westminster, modern fireplace, fake fireplace installation, and lots more. These are just a small portion of the activities that are carried out by a local fireplace installer. Westminster specialists will be happy to inform you of their whole range of fireplace services if you contact them. If there's something fireplace related, which you need but cannot see listed here, you could always go to this QUOTE FORM and enter your details.
Fireplace Installers Near Westminster
Also find: Covent Garden fireplaces, Southwark fireplaces, Waterloo fireplaces, Belgravia fireplaces, St James's fireplaces, Hyde Park fireplaces, Victoria fireplaces, Shepherds Bush fireplaces, Mayfair fireplaces, Kensington fireplaces, Churchill Gardens fireplaces, Whitehall fireplaces, Knightsbridge fireplaces, Pimlico fireplaces, Vauxhall fireplace services and more. Fireplace installers cater for most of these areas. Westminster property owners can get estimates by going here.
Fireplaces Around Westminster: Folks living in the following areas and roads have just recently inquired about fireplace installation - Swallow Place, Grosvenor Place, Lees Place, Brick Street, Chandos Street, Upper John Street, Great Portland Street, Sackville Street, Market Place, Old Compton Street, Mortimer Street, Lumley Street, Marshall Street, Hollen Street, Chesterfield Hill, Dunraven Street, Bywell Place, Margaret Street, Audley Street, Hanover Square, Adam's Row, Rupert Street, Chesterfield Street, Goslett Yard, Cavendish Mews South, Great Marlborough Street, as well as the following local Westminster postcodes: SW1H 0BH, SW1E 5JD, SW1H 0DJ, SW1E 6DR, SW1H 0EX, SW1A 2EX, SW1H 0AB, SW1E 5BB, SW1A 2BA, SW1A 2JR. These places recently saw activity by installers of fireplaces. Westminster home and business owners enjoyed dependable and top notch fireplace services on every occasion.



If you need local info on Westminster, Greater London look here
More Greater London Fireplace Fitters: More Greater London fireplace specialists: Feltham, Teddington, Wimbledon, New Malden, Dalston, Brentford, Worcester Park, Raynes Park, Falconwood, Tottenham, Coulsdon, Erith, Northolt, Eastcote, Brixton, Lambeth, Colliers Wood, Northwood, Stratford, Eltham, Petts Wood, Uxbridge, Kenley, Hornsey, Muswell Hill, Croydon, Poplar, Neasden, White City, Sidcup, Bexleyheath, Edmonton, Sutton, Chalk Farm, Norbury, Cheam, Thamesmead, Purley, Barnet, Bethnal Green, Westminster, Battersea, Kingston upon Thames, Wanstead, Hounslow, Bermondsey, Arnos Grove, Dulwich, Isleworth, Walthamstow, Greenford, Beddington, Heston, Hillingdon, Hammersmith, Cricklewood, Southall, Wembley, Mitcham, Hendon, Thornton Heath, Twickenham, Ruislip, Lewisham, Beckenham, Woodford, Wood Green, Chiswick, Putney, Chelsea, West Wickham, Harefield, Catford, Enfield, Bromley, Ealing, Ponders End, Camberwell, Acton, Woolwich, Harlesden, Hayes, Deptford, Surbiton, East Ham, Bexley, Mottingham, Fulwell, Harrow, Plaistow, Tooting, Oakwood, Wallington, Richmond upon Thames, Finchley, Selhurst, Greenwich, Willesden, New Addington, Pinner, Penge, Orpington, Edgware, Charlton, Peckham, Ickenham, Clapham, Abbey Wood, Stanmore, London, Hampstead and Brimsdown.
Fireplace installation in SW1 area, and dialling code 020.
Fireplace Installation Services Westminster - Fireplace Fitter Westminster - Fireplace Installers Near Me - Fireplaces Westminster - Fireplace Installation Quotations Westminster - Fireplace Ideas Westminster - Residential Fireplaces Westminster - Fireplace Designs Westminster - Fireplace Fitters Westminster