Fireplace Fitter Belfast Northern Ireland (BT1): Re-opening an old disused fireplace to install an open fire, a gas fire or a wood burner is a splendid way to add a homely feel and a bit of charm to any Belfast home. Not only can you enjoy the warmth and ambience of an open fire or stove during the frosty winter's days, but if you add a back boiler to your new fireplace, you'll also be supplied with plenty of steaming hot water.
There are some crucial considerations to make before you commence any work, in order to establish an efficient, attractive and safe fireplace in your property. Any heating appliance in the home must comply with Part J of the UK's buildings regulations, and this applies to fireplaces, chimney breasts, hearths and flue linings. For the installation of a fireplace in a building that is listed, or one that's positioned in a conservation area, you will have to check with the local authorities if planning permission is necessary.
PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION OR DIY?
You may be capable of doing some of the remodeling work to a blocked up fireplace if you've got the skills to do so, however there is always a problem in finding structural and safety problems which need to be resolved by a specialist. You may be fortunate when revealing your old fireplace and discover that you need little more than a decent clean out of the hearth and a quick chimney sweep to get a fire roaring. What's more typical however is an area of crumbling brickwork that conceals a blocked flue, and also requires some degree of structural modification before it can be safely used.
If your property in Belfast has a fireplace installed and it is not correctly put in, there's not only a risk or fire, but also of respiratory health problems. Therefore, using a certified fireplace fitter is generally recommended. According to the Building Regulations, a room that has a fireplace installed in it must have ample oxygen and airflow to allow the fire to burn efficiently. A fire won't burn well if there is not enough oxygen, and death can occur when carbon monoxide gas builds-up.
To overcome this issue a professional fireplace installation technician will analyse the situation and install vents in the room, or under the floors, to guarantee a satisfactory amount of air flow for the fire to combust safely and properly. Vents might also need to be fitted into blocked chimney flues which can cause damp areas and staining to to your chimney breast, because of moist, condensed air being trapped.
BEFORE WORK BEGINS
It's astonishing how much dirt and soot can build up inside an old chimney and you won't know exactly what's there until you open it up. To ensure that your belongings don't get harmed by the soot, dust and dirt that's expelled during work by a fireplace installer, removing rugs, carpets and furniture in advance is strongly recommended. If you're engaging in a full restoration of a property or room, the fireplace ought to be opened up before any decoration or plastering works are undertaken. This stops any discolouration damage to any restored work you've already done.
CONSTRUCTION & STRUCTURAL WORK
It will be time to clean and sweep the chimney and hearth and identify what is fit for refurbishment, as soon as the fireplace has been opened up. One of the first items on your checklist should be to phone a proper chimney sweep who works in and around Belfast. During the process of cleaning and sweeping, they will be perfectly placed to determine the structural stability of your flue liner and chimney, and recommend what is necessary to get it back into shape.
If you need to strengthen the chimney or install a flue lining all relevant UK Building Regulations must be followed to the letter. This is unlikely to be the type of work that can be accomplished by a DIYer, so you will want to employ an experienced builder with experience in good working practices and a knowledge of the Building Regs.
In buildings that are older you might find that the original fireplace is too wide for your needs, in which case a concrete lintel will be necessary to adapt the opening. And after that process, upgrading the fireplace hearth should be the next phase of your fireplace installation project in Belfast. The legislation pertaining to fireplace hearths has changed quite a bit through the years, and while in the old days they were often sunk into floor voids, they now need to be raised at least 12.5mm above the level of the floor if the current UK Building Regulations are to be followed. Off-the-shelf options from stone, slate or marble are available to achieve this, or your fireplace builder in Belfast may be able to provide you with a bespoke, custom-made hearth to match the design of your room.
STYLES OF FIREPLACE
Choosing your ideal fireplace can be tricky when faced with the many styles available from a fireplace showroom or online retailer. It is possible that because of your current chimney, flue and airflow to the room, that certain fireplaces might not be appropriate, therefore it's advisable to follow the advice of the fireplace installation company with respect to this.
An open fireplace will be perfect for some rooms and homes in Belfast, while a wood burner or multi fuel stove will be more appropriate for others. A wood burning stove for instance, will look awesome when positioned in an inglenook fireplace, which redirects the heat back into the room and draws attention to its charm and character.
For homes in Belfast that don't have a chimney, a wood burner is a good option. You don't have to have a chimney breast to enjoy a genuine fire, as long as you have an external wall through which a flue from the stove can be passed.
MULTI-FUEL, GAS, WOOD, ELECTRIC OR OPEN FIREPLACE?
A crackling fire on a cold evening creates a charm and ambience that cannot be beaten, however what are the other available options to fit in your lovely new fireplace in Belfast?
Open Fireplaces - Provides a stunning focal point for a room and can be used with a variety of solid fuels. Being a far cry from the old-fashioned smoky fireplace, a modern, professionally installed open fire can provide a cosy and warm atmosphere in any Belfast home.
Multi-Fuel Stoves - To establish an eye-catching centerpiece in your living space, these can be used with a selection of different fuels, such as oil, gas, wood or coal. The AGA style is well known as being able to provide heat for the entire home, a supply of hot water and a cooker all in a single unit.
Electric Fireplaces - These are suitable for virtually any room and type of home in Belfast, and can be safely and easily installed by anyone who is relatively competent. It can be hard to tell one from the genuine thing with with "real feel" electric fires, and they can be installed into conventional fireplaces when needed.
Wood Burning Stoves - Even the tiniest room in Belfast can benefit from the installment of a wood burning stove, which come in a range of styles, and, if required, can even be fitted as a free standing feature. A version with an integrated back boiler will provide additional heating by transferring the piping hot water to radiators in cold rooms in your home.
Gas Fireplaces - Gas fireplaces are available in a multitude of designs to suit any home and are more efficient (thermally) than wood burners. Only a Gas Safe certified tradesperson is permitted to install these fires.
Fireplace installers can be accessed in Moneyreagh, Milltown, Andersontown, Upper Galwally, Dunmurry, Ballyskeagh, Greenisland, Ballygowan, Hannahstown, Gilnahirk, Dundrod, Finaghy, Dundonald, Lambeg, Drumbeg, Strandtown, Whiteabbey, in these nearby postcodes: BT1 1BG, BT1 1JN, BT1 2AG, BT1 1SE, BT1 1SZ, BT1 2FL, BT1 2BP, BT1 1RN, BT1 1FD, and BT1 1BT, and also in Belfast itself. It's most likely that any fireplace builders in the Belfast area is going to have the dialling code 028 and the postcode BT1. Belfast residents can use and benefit from these fireplace services.
Chimney Cowls Belfast
The hood-shaped cover that can be installed over your chimney to improve the draft and prevent smoke from backing up is referred to as a chimney cowl. Often manufactured from galvanized iron, the chimney cowl has the purpose of preventing the wind blowing smoke down the chimney and causing a problem. It's a fundamental part of any fireplace. If you want to enjoy the many benefits of a fireplace, you should fit a cowl to your chimney in Belfast.
A chimney cowl can also help to protect your dwelling and keep you secure. There are several forms of chimney cowls available on the market, each has been developed to address different situations. Before buying one, consider a few aspects to ensure you get one that will help protect your home. When you know exactly what you need, you can then pick a chimney cowl based on your needs and budget.
You can also find chimney cowls made from commonplace objects, like a stainless steel colander or steel bucket. Chicken wire can also be used to make a cowl. Clay flower pots also make decent chimney cowls. These covers can be purchased at your local hardware store or on the internet.
Chimney cowls are a quick way to prevent birds building nests in your chimney and blocking the entire thing up. They're inexpensive and simple to put in. You should make sure you have clear access to the space above the chimney to install one. It can also stop dirt and debris from building up inside the chimney.
Practical Ideas On How To Retain Your Open Fireplace And Lower Your Heating Bills
With all the current concerns about the environment, the fireplace has lost some of its former charm, but it still is a favourite feature for many property owners in Belfast. There's nothing quite like feeling the real warmth of a fireplace during a cold winter evening. The fireplace can offer a lot of benefits for your property, but there are also several major negative aspects that need to be addressed. With energy costs increasing substantially year after year, your fireplace must give out heat in a cost-effective way. When a fire is burning, it might provide warmth for those who are standing right in front of it, but it can in fact pull warm air out of your room, making your heater work even more. Anytime there's no fire, a damper ought to regulate the airflow. Yet, dampers are usually not particularly efficient seals, consequently a lot of the warm air escapes and allows cold air to come into the room.
What many folks in Belfast tend not to know about their fireplace is that it doesn't always do what they assume it's doing. Instead of keeping the cost of heating down, it could actually do the precise reverse if one is not careful. However it's not all bad news because there are techniques for making your fireplace far more cost-effective. There tend to be 4 simple steps that you can take to change your fireplace into a cost-effective heat resource. You will recognize that these suggestions will help to make your fireplace produce quality heat and your current heating bill a lot lower.
The first thing that must be done is to replace the damper with a new top sealing damper. A top sealing damper is installed toward the top end of your chimney which also acts like a storm door. It does a good job of keeping warm air in the home during winter months and cool air from escaping in the warmer months. The damper is simple to install, and can be bought on the internet. Another thing that you can do should be to fit a fire-back at the back of your fireplace. This is a cast iron plate that is intended to enhance the room decor, while protecting the back wall from being damaged due to the fires. The fire-back also soaks up heat right from the fire and returns it back into the room, making your fireplace more efficient.
Another cost saver is a fireplace heater/fan, which heats the area by drawing the air into a heat chamber and returning the air back into the room. These clever devices don't produce any smoke and are be very effective in keeping your home warm and cosy. The fourth thing that you can do is to install glass doors, which might be your biggest expense. If you do a bit of groundwork, you can get a good price on glass doors and fit them yourself. These glass doors help to stop the heat from getting away and additionally it keeps children and pets from getting burnt.
All these suggestions are easy to do, and the required products can be found online. Get the best from your fireplace and see your energy bills tumble.
Stone Fireplaces
You could always think about bringing the outside in, and build a natural stone fireplace, which is an excellent way to achieve a truly dramatic look. It's possible that your home's exterior already has some stone features, such as boundary walls or a stone facade. This might be a method for coordinating those natural features internally.
A stone fireplace can be created using either stone cladding or full depth stone. Your budget and taste could determine which one you choose. Also, granite, sandstone, marble, quartz, limestone or slate, are just some of the different kinds of stone which can be employed to construct a fireplace.
Just how your stone fireplace looks when it is complete will be affected by the building method, the kind of stone used and the methodology used by the stonemason or tradesperson who builds it. If you have an idea about precisely what you want, get some photos and show them to your fireplace company before they start.
A lot of contemporary homes are not really suited to the look of a natural stone fireplace, mostly because stone has such a striking appearance, and can dominate the look of a space. However, each individual homeowner has their own preferences and taste, therefore it is for them to decide.
Belfast Fireplace Related Tasks
The variety of services and tasks that can be undertaken by your local fireplace installer are wide and varied, and will include stuff like carbon monoxide detector installation, corner fireplace installation, the installation of outside fireplaces in Belfast, corner fireplaces Belfast, freestanding stoves, wood burning stoves Belfast, outdoor fireplaces Belfast, fireplace suites, fireplace fitting, fireplace services, modern fireplace installation, fireplaces, brick fireplace installations in Belfast, 3-sided fireplaces, chimney sweeping, wood burning fireplaces, two-sided fireplaces in Belfast, fireplace design, marble fireplace installations, fireplace removal, fireplace hearths, fireplace replacement in Belfast, chimney repairs, built-in electric fires, fake fireplace installation, Victorian fireplace installation, marble fireplaces Belfast, fireplace inserts in Belfast, traditional fireplaces Belfast, chimney lining, gas fireplace installations, cheap fireplaces, marble fireplace surrounds in Belfast, cast fireplace installation, elm fireplaces Belfast, and others not listed here. Belfast providers will be happy to tell you about their whole range of fireplace services.
Fireplace Installers Near Belfast
Also find: Andersontown fireplace installers, Lambeg fireplace installers, Whiteabbey fireplace installers, Milltown fireplace installers, Upper Galwally fireplace installers, Strandtown fireplace installers, Finaghy fireplace installers, Dunmurry fireplace installers, Drumbeg fireplace installers, Greenisland fireplace installers, Ballygowan fireplace installers, Dundonald fireplace installers, Ballyskeagh fireplace installers, Dundrod fireplace installers, Gilnahirk fireplace installers, Hannahstown fireplace installers, Moneyreagh fireplace installers and more. There are companies who install fireplaces in practically all of these towns and areas. These seasoned tradespeople have the know-how and experience necessary to adeptly install fireplaces in your property. These dedicated professionals can assist residents in experiencing the warmth, comfort and ambiance that a fireplace brings to their homes. By going here, local residents can get fireplace installation estimates.
More Belfast Tradespeople: Home improvements in Belfast frequently require the skills of many different craftsmen, and a plasterer in Belfast, a handyman in Belfast, a bricklayer in Belfast, an electrician in Belfast, a tiler in Belfast, SKIP HIRE in Belfast, a metal worker in Belfast, a floor specialist in Belfast, a general builder in Belfast, gutter cleaning in Belfast, waste removal in Belfast, a painter and decorator in Belfast, a roofing specialist in Belfast, a carpenter and joiner in Belfast, a stonemason in Belfast, a chimney sweep in Belfast, a cleaner in Belfast, a plumber in Belfast could be needed despite the fact that you are currently on the lookout for fireplace installers in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Click on the links to get quotes for all kinds of home improvement project.
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