Fireplace Fitter Bromley Greater London (BR1): A splendid way to add extra character, charm and a homely feel to any property in Bromley, is to open up an old unused fireplace to put in a wood burning, multi-fuel or open fireplace. Adding an open fire or multi-fuel stove for those cold winter days can even be less expensive than certain central heating systems, as long as you've got a good source of fuel. If combined with a back boiler it can supply you with a plentiful supply of steaming hot water in the process.
In order to build a safe, efficient and attractive fireplace in your property in Bromley, there are crucial things to consider before any work commences. Any work which is performed on your flue lining, hearth, fireplace and chimney breast must conform to the UK's Part J building regs for heat producing appliances. If you reside in a building that is listed, or a property which is within a conservation, you'll need to find out if you need to have planning permission for a fireplace installation.
PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION OR DIY?
When refurbishing an old bricked-up fireplace, there is a fair probability of running across structural issues, therefore even if you are an enthusiastic DIYer you may struggle with this sort of work. You may find that the hearth, lintel and chimney breast are in good condition, once you have revealed your old fireplace, and that what lies beneath needs barely more than a clean by a chimney sweep. What is more common however is an area of old brickwork covering a stopped up flue, and needs some degree of structural modification before it can be safely used.
A poorly fitted fireplace can cause significant fire risk and respiratory health problems and, as such, should only be fitted by a specialist fireplace installer in Bromley with the experience and knowledge to do the job effectively. There must always be enough airflow into a room or space where a fireplace is installed to ensure adequate quantities of oxygen enable the fire to burn properly. Insufficient oxygen means the fire will not burn effectively, and carbon monoxide could accumulate, which can lead to breathing problems or even death.
To effectively get around any problems with air flow, vents may need to be installed around the room as part of a fireplace installation, to guarantee suitable oxygen levels reach the fire. Moist air can easily get trapped in blocked chimney flues which could also require improved ventilation, to avoid problems with damp inside the chimney breast.
BEFORE WORK BEGINS
Large amounts of soot and grime will enter a room when you're re-opening a disused fireplace for renovation. It is good practice to remove any carpets, furniture and rugs from a room where you are planning to expose an old fireplace, to prevent them being affected by grime, soot and dust that may be disturbed during the fireplace installation works. If you are engaging in a complete restoration of a property or room, the fireplace should be opened up before any decoration or plastering works are tackled. If other work has previously been completed, this could get damaged by dirt and chimney soot.
CONSTRUCTION & STRUCTURAL WORK
You can sweep and clean the hearth and chimney and find out what can and cannot be restored, as soon as the fireplace has been opened up. One of the first things on your checklist should be to get in touch with a proper chimney sweep who operates in the Bromley area. Aside from sweeping and cleaning your chimney and flue, they will also consider the condition of the flue liner and chimney and tell you about any part of the flue and chimney structure that needs to be replaced.
Following an examination by a professional Bromley chimney sweep, and in accordance with Part J of the UK Building Regulations, work to strengthen the chimney structure and/or install a new liner might be necessary. This work must be done by a qualified person who is familiar with the appropriate Building Regs and decent construction practices.
It's quite likely that a supporting concrete lintel will be required, if the dimensions of the exposed fireplace is bigger than your needs. Once your new lintel is in position and secure you may now get on with the repair, installation and upgrade of the fireplace's hearth. Most old hearths were set into voids in the floor. If that's the situation with your hearth it will have to be raised above the normal floor level if it is going to to meet the UK Building Regulations as they stand. Off-the-shelf options from concrete, marble or granite are available on the market to achieve this, or your fireplace builder in Bromley should be able to offer a bespoke, tailor-made hearth to fit in with your room style.
FIREPLACE STYLE
Because of the host of different fireplace sizes, shapes and designs, selecting the right one will not always be easy. You can see what is available by visiting your nearest fireplace dealership or by going on the web. It is quite possible that owing to your existing flue and chimney, that certain fireplace designs might not be appropriate, therefore it pays to follow the the advice and recommendations of your fireplace company in this respect.
The age of your property, and the style you're trying to develop for your room, will all help you to decide upon the design and type of fireplace which is best for you. For instance, a cast iron wood burner looks wonderful set into an old-fashioned inglenook fireplace, highlighting the charm and character of the stove and reflecting the heat back into the room effectively.
Even if your Bromley home doesn't have a chimney you've still got the option of a feature fireplace through the installation of a multi-fuel or wood burning stove. This type of fireplace can be fitted with its own stainless steel flue that's channeled through an external wall and does not need a chimney, to be installed and work safely.
WOOD, ELECTRIC, MULTI-FUEL, GAS OR OPEN FIREPLACE?
If your circumstances do not allow for a natural fireplace to be installed, what are the possible options?
Multi-Fuel Stoves - Can be fired up with with a range of fuels, including oil, gas, wood or coal, to create a focal point in your property in Bromley. These can be used not simply for heating a room, but some types like the AGA range, can provide useful cooking areas, supply hot water and can be employed for heating the entire house when plumbed into an existing radiator network.
Gas Fireplaces - There are a whole host of designs to suit any property in Bromley, and as they provide "instant" heat, they are more thermally efficient than wood burner stoves in general. Gas fires must only be maintained and fitted by a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer, (Gas Safe replaced CORGI registration in 2009).
Electric Fireplaces - A popular choice for property owners in Bromley, these fireplaces can be put in by just about any capable individual, quickly and safely. It can be hard to tell one from the genuine article with with "real feel" electric fires, and they can be inset into regular fireplaces when that is what is required.
Open Fireplaces - Provides an eye-catching focal point for any room and can utilise a number of different solid fuels. Previously regarded as being draughty, smoky and inefficient, a professionally installed modern open fireplace can be a joy to behold.
Wood Burning Stoves - Even the tiniest room in Bromley can be improved by the installation of a wood burning stove, which are available in a range of designs, and, if necessary, can even be fitted free standing. An added benefit of these products is that they can provide steaming hot water for domestic use, or supply heating to another area via a radiator, when connected to a back boiler.
You should be able to access fireplace fitters in Bromley, and surrounding places such as: Sundridge, Elmstead, Bickley, Lee, Chinbrook, Shortlands, Spring Park, Elmers End, Keston, Downham, Chislehurst, St Paul's Cray. Areas with postcodes like BR1 2EA, BR1 1QN, BR1 1AD, BR1 1LS, BR1 1TP, BR1 1JN, BR1 1LF, BR1 2AD, BR1 1LA, and BR1 2DF can also be covered. If they've got the phone code 020 and the postcode BR1, it's probable that they operate in Bromley or someplace close by. This is naturally something that you can check if you favour using a local fireplace company.
Chimney Cowls Bromley
A hood-shaped cap for your chimney, a chimney cowl adds draft and helps to stop backflow in your chimney system. It's normally made from galvanized iron and sits over the chimney pot to keep the wind from blowing smoke back down. Chimney cowls can be found online or in a hardware stores. Whether you decide to make an existing one work better, or buy a new one, a cowl will keep your fireplace or stove working to the best of its ability.
A chimney cowl can also help to protect your property and keep you safe. There are different types of chimney cowl available, each has been developed to address different situations. Before purchasing one, consider a few aspects to ensure that you get one that will help protect your property. Once you know precisely what you need, you can then pick a chimney cowl to match your budget and needs.
One of the most common types of chimney cowl is referred to as the H-style. This style is one of the best for stabilising the draught and enables your fireplace to function more efficiently. It's made out of a series of H-shaped pipes that isolate the combustion gases from down draughts. It was originally used for marine applications, but has become popular among property owners due to its energy-saving attributes.
Another kind is the Aerodyne cowl. It works by drawing air into the chimney cowl and reducing downdraught. These are available in a variety of colours. Its venturi shape draws air into the chimney cowl, creating a drop in air pressure that draws air upwards from the stove or fireplace. Other types of chimney cowl include: bonnet chimney cowls, static chimney cowls, anti-downdraught chimney cowls, revolving chimney cowls, birdguards and aspirotor chimney cowls.
Chimney cowls are a quick way to prevent birds building nests in your chimney and blocking the whole thing up. They're inexpensive and simple to put in. You should make certain that you have easy access to the space above the chimney stack in order to install one. It can also prevent debris from building up inside your chimney.
Improve the Cost-Efficiency of Your Open Fireplace in Bromley
With all of the current ecological problems, the fireplace has lost some of its allure, however it's still a favourite feature for many property owners in Bromley. Sitting near the heat of an open fireplace, brings back many precious memories for lots of folks. Having a fireplace has its advantages but there are also a couple of downsides which could have an impact on its usefulness. As energy costs climb, you should make certain that your fireplace is producing heat in a safe and efficient way. Although having a fire going in a fireplace keeps those near to it toasty, it actually removes warm air from the rest of the space, causing your heat source to work harder. The fireplace damper is expected to stop cold air from entering your home when you don't have a fire going in the fireplace. However, dampers are not very efficient seals, consequently all of the warm air escapes and allows cold air to come into the property.
Many householders in Bromley who have a fireplace don't realise how it can affect the cost of heating. As opposed to saving resources, and heating costs, it can often be adding hundreds of pounds of energy costs. Nevertheless, there are a number of procedures that you can follow that will be able to turn your budget busting fireplace into something a touch more efficient. There are at least 4 simple things that you can do to improve your fireplace. These will certainly make your present fireplace much more economical, and lower your heating bills.
Step one is to take out your existing fireplace damper and change it for a top sealing damper. This form of damper is placed towards the top of your chimney and helps to stop rain and snow from entering. It helps prevent the inside air from coming out, and the outside air from going in, and works in hot weather or cold. Its not very tricky to install and can be easily bought on the internet. Another thing that can be done should be to position a fire-back at the back of your fireplace. It's produced from cast iron and is used to improve the appearance of your fireplace while protecting the back wall from fire damage. The fire-back also absorbs heat from the fire and channels it back into the room, making the fireplace more effective.
Another means to cut down on fuel bills is to use a fireplace heater, which heats the space by drawing the air into a chamber and blowing the air back into the room. These heating devices are sealed systems, hence no smoke is released, and they really can make a difference in the temperature of your property. And finally, putting in glass doors, while a bit on the pricey side, can be effective in making your fireplace economical to run. If you do your homework, you should be able to get an excellent deal on glass doors and they're not too challenging to install yourself. Glass fireplace doors is able to keep the air in your property from escaping and it also helps to save your family from fires.
Every one of these tips are easy to implement, and the required products can be easily sourced online. Just do your very best to make sure your fireplace is efficient and watch your heating bill plummet.
More Information
To see what's popular on social media, check this out. The dedicated Wikipedia "fireplace" page is the spot to visit for information on how fireplaces affect the environment, the history of the fireplace, fireplace accessories, fireplace heating efficiency, the health effects of fireplaces and the different types of fireplace. A whole host of facts and information on fireplace installation can be located on one of the fireplace installation forums, so why not head on over to the Buildhub Forum, subjects include things like wood burners, understanding building regulations, trims for stoves, widening fireplaces, pellet boilers and stoves and chimney flues. Head here to find out how to install a fireplace. There's such a lot of high quality info about fireplace installation on the internet these days, and to learn about stylish fireplace designs click here.
Bromley Fireplace Related Tasks
There are a wide array of tasks that can be carried out by your local Bromley fireplace installer including marble fireplaces in Bromley, tiled fireplace installation, freestanding stoves, fireplace restoration, fireplaces, fake fireplaces, chimney cowl installation in Bromley, fireplace services, double-sided stove installation, carbon monoxide detector installation, wood mantels, fake fireplace installation, fire grate conversions, tiled fireplaces in Bromley, the installation of modern fireplaces, marble fireplace installations, limestone fireplace installation, marble fireplace surrounds, fireplace installation, fireplace prices, fireplace removal, bespoke fireplaces, the installation of disigner fireplaces, inglenook fireplaces, oak beam fireplaces in Bromley, hearth-mounted electric fires, gas fireplaces, fireplace packages, period fireplaces, wood burning stove installations, and more. This is merely a taste of the services that can be provided by the local fireplace installer. Bromley professionals operating in the area will will be glad to tell you about the entire range of fireplace sevices that are offered.
Fireplace Installers Near Bromley
Also find: Spring Park fireplace installers, Keston fireplace installers, Lee fireplace installers, Chislehurst fireplace installers, St Paul's Cray fireplace installers, Shortlands fireplace installers, Chinbrook fireplace installers, Elmstead fireplace installers, Elmers End fireplace installers, Bickley fireplace installers, Sundridge fireplace installers, Downham fireplace installers and more. These and other areas are catered for by fireplace fitters and similar professionals. In your home, these skilled tradesmen can put their expertise and know-how to use for adeptly installing fireplaces. Residents, with the help of these committed experts, can experience the warmth, ambiance and comfort a fireplace adds to their living areas. By going here, local householders can obtain fireplace installation estimates.
For the latest local Bromley information go here
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Fireplace installation in BR1 area, 020.
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