Fireplace Fitter Carnforth Lancashire (LA5): Installing a brand new fireplace or re-opening an old disused fireplace in your Carnforth property is an excellent way to add a homely feel and some character to any room. The addition of an open fire or multi-fuel stove for those frosty winter evenings can even prove more economical than some central heating systems, so long as you've got a ready source of timber. If used in combination with a back boiler it can provide you with plenty of steaming hot water in the process.
However before you start bashing down the walls of a bricked-up fireplace there are some essential things to consider if you are to end up with an efficient and safe fireplace. Any combustible appliance installed in domestic homes in Carnforth must follow Part J of the Building Regulations, and this covers chimney breasts, fireplaces, flue linings and hearths. If you live in a designated conservation area or a listed building you should check with local authorities to see if planning permission is necessary for installing a fireplace in your property.
DIY OR PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION?
You may be able to do some of the work in restoring a pre-existing fireplace if you have the skills needed, but there is always a problem in finding structural and safety problems which need to be resolved professionally. If you are lucky when you open up a stopped up fireplace you might find a decent hearth, lintel and chimney breast that involves little more than the advice and services of a chimney sweep to get it ready for use. Much more likely you will discover crumbling brickwork that needs structural modifications and a blocked flue.
If fireplaces are installed improperly there's not only a risk of fire to your property, but there can also be health hazards, which is why it is best to hire a certified Carnforth installation company for fireplaces. Airflow has to be sufficient in any room in which a fireplace is to be installed; in fact it's a key requirement of Part J of the Building Regulations that this is the case. If the airflow is not good enough then it is quite possible that a fire will not burn efficiently and cause a build-up of carbon monoxide, which can be lethal.
To overcome this issue a professional fireplace installation team will consider the circumstances and install vents in the room, or underneath the floors, to guarantee a sufficient amount of air flow for the fire to combust effectively and safely. To prevent condensed air becoming trapped in unused chimney flues and creating staining and damp spots, vents might have to be fitted by the installation team to improve the airflow.
BEFORE WORK BEGINS
It's surprising just how much muck and soot can build up inside an old chimney and you'll not know what's there until you open it up. A fireplace installer will bring dust sheets for your home furnishings and provide some form of protection, however it is advisable where feasible to remove furniture and carpets from the room before work starts. If you're lucky enough to be carrying out a complete restoration project then it ought to be one of the initial jobs to concentrate on before you re-plaster or decorate the walls. This will help to prevent any discolouration damage by soot and other chimney dirt to any previously completed work.
CONSTRUCTION & STRUCTURAL WORK
Once you have revealed your old fireplace you'll have a better understanding of what work needs to be done, and also be able to sweep the chimney and clean up any hearth that remains. Bringing in a proper chimney sweep to clean your chimney will be one of the very first items on the to-do-list. A chimney sweep will first clean the flue and whilst doing this will be able to check the condition of the chimney and offer advice on whether you need a new flue liner.
It might be vital to put in a new flue liner to conform to the all important Building Regulations, and work might also be needed to reinforce the existing chimney and chimney breast. This work needs to be done by a competent person with experience of the building regulations and good working practices.
If you need to adjust the width of opening of your exposed fireplace to a more suitable size for your new design, a supporting concrete lintel will have to be put in. When you've successfully supported the fireplace with your lintel it is now possible to update or repair the hearth. In earlier times the hearth was set into a void in the floor, however the latest building regulations demand that it's raised above floor level. If your fireplace isn't of a standard size you might have to purchase a made to measure hearth, however there are also a wide range of ready-made hearths in marble, slate or concrete.
DESIGNS AND STYLES OF FIREPLACE
If you visit a fireplace showroom you'll find that you have lots of choice with the array of different choices available to you. The advice and recommendations from your sales and installation team, which will be specific to your requirements, will enable you to pick a fireplace which is both suitable for your flue and chimney, as well as for your home's decor.
Whether you decide on an open fireplace, a multi-fuel stove or a wood burner will hinge on the all round look that you are trying to develop, your current decor and in some cases, your property's age. By way of example, a cast iron wood burning stove looks splendid set back in an inglenook fireplace, highlighting the character and charm of the stove and reflecting the heat into the room to good effect.
Even if you don't have a chimney in your Carnforth home, it is still entirely possible to put in a multi-fuel stove or a wood burner. This style of fireplace can be installed with a stainless steel flue which is taken through an external wall and does not require a chimney, to be installed safely.
ELECTRIC, GAS, OPEN, WOOD OR MULTI-FUEL FIREPLACE?
Who does not enjoy the glow and warmth of an open fireplace on a cool winters' evening, but if your situation doesn't permit this, what are the other available options?
Open Fireplaces - A flickering fire is an eye-catching focal point for any room in your home and it has the capacity to burn virtually any solid fuel that you can purchase. A skillfully installed modern open fire will be nothing like the old style smoky fireplace that was blocked up by earlier owners, and its glowing elegance is a delightful addition to any room in Carnforth.
Wood Burning Stoves - Wood burning stoves have become very popular in many households in Carnforth, and can have classic or modern styling to suit your furnishings. A back boiler is an additional benefit and can provide steaming hot water for personal use, or to provide heating for the house via radiators.
Gas Fireplaces - Gas fireplaces come in a range of styles to suit any property and are more thermally efficient than wood burners. Gas fires must only be maintained and installed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer, (previously CORGI registered).
Multi-Fuel Stoves - Multi-fuel stoves provide you with the option of using coal, gas, wood and oil to furnish you with a multi-purpose stove for any property in Carnforth. Some styles, like the multi-fuel stoves from AGA, can also be used for cooking, providing hot water and heating your whole house.
Electric Fireplaces - Can be fitted safely and easily by any competent person and there are styles that are suitable for virtually any room and home in Carnforth. Even if your house has a conventional fireplace, an electric fire can be fitted that looks almost like a real fire with multi-coloured flames.
Fireplace installation companies are accessible in Hornby, Hest Bank, Bolton-le-Sands, Slyne, Borwick, Warton, Capernwray, Claughton, Nether Kellet, Over Kellet, Millhead, Hawksheads, in these postcodes: LA5 9XE, LA5 9NB, LA5 9AH, LA5 9TX, LA5 9DA, LA5 9XA, LA5 9XT, LA5 9FA, LA5 9NA, and LA5 9EP, as well as in Carnforth itself. A couple of hints which imply that a fireplace fitter works in Carnforth area is if they have the phone code 01524 and the postcode LA5. Carnforth home and business owners can take advantage of these fireplace services.
Flue Linings
Enabling your chimney to perform a lot more efficiently, a chimney lining or flue lining is a crucial addition to the chimney system on your house. With the purpose of carrying fumes to the outside of a building, flue liners are ducts made of metal, clay or ceramic material which are fitted to the inside of chimneys. An older chimney in Carnforth might not be fitted with a liner at all, or will need to be relined subject to it's age and condition.
The dangerous gases that are formed when burning a fire can damage your chimney's flue lining. While it's being cleaned, get the fireplace specialist to check your flue for any damages or chances of it deteriorating in the foreseeable future. You have to stop those hazardous gases from seeping into your home, which is what can transpire when a flue is damaged. There is also the risk of fires in the home as a broken flue lining can let extreme heat penetrate the chimney's structure.
Tips On How To Lower Your Heating Bill And Also Keep Your Open Fireplace In Excellent Shape
With all the current worries about the environment, the traditional fireplace has lost a little of its glamour, however it still is a favourite feature for many in Carnforth. There's nothing quite like feeling the warmth of a fireplace throughout a chilly winter evening. Having a fireplace has its perks but there are also a few issues that could affect its performance. Because of power costs increasing so quickly these days, your fireplace needs to be a reliable source of heat, not one of inefficiency. When a fire is burning, it might provide warmth for those standing in close proximity to it, but it can in fact pull warm air out of a room, making your heat source work even harder. If you don't have a fire, the damper is designed to keep heat in. The thing is, fireplace dampers can be very inefficient in keeping cold air out, and warm air in.
What most people in Carnforth usually do not understand about their fireplace is that it doesn't always do what they think it's doing. Instead of keeping the cost of heating down, it could actually do the complete opposite if one isn't careful. There is a way to take your less than efficient fireplace, and make it into a heat creating system that will more closely fit your budget. There happen to be 4 simple steps that you can take to change your fireplace into the cost-effective heat sourse you're searching for. You will recognize that these suggestions will help make your fireplace create quality heat and your present energy bill a lot lower.
The first point is to replace your current fireplace damper with a more efficient top sealing damper. This type of damper is placed towards the top of your chimney and helps to stop rain from coming in. The top sealing damper helps to keep the air in the property from escaping and operates incredibly well in both cold and hot weather conditions. It isn't very challenging to fit and can be easily purchased from a fireplace supplier or online. An additional thing which can be done should be to fit a fire-back at the back of your fireplace. It's manufactured from cast iron and it is used to enhance the overall look of your fireplace while at the same time shielding the back wall from heat damage. The fire-back also takes up heat right from the fire and sends it back inside, making your fireplace more efficient.
Another approach is to buy a fireplace fan/heater, which draws in air in a room and warms it up. These heaters are closed systems, hence no smoke is discharged, and they really can make a huge difference to the temperature of your house. And finally, adding glass doors, even though a bit on the costly side, can be helpful in making your fireplace more cost-efficient. If you do a bit of homework, you can find glass doors at a reasonable price and fit them yourself. Such doors create a screen between the chimney and living space, not only stopping the heat from escaping, but also affording some protection.
These suggestions are not terribly hard to do and you can order most of the items you need from the internet. Preserve your existing fireplace and cut heating bills by increasing it's efficiency.
Chimney Sweep Carnforth
The regular sweeping of your chimney is imperative if you have an open fire or a wood burning stove in your home in Carnforth. At least once each year is the recommendation for chimney sweeping.
You should always call in a specialist Carnforth chimney sweep, as this can be a dirty job. While the chimney sweep is cleaning your chimney, he will also be on the lookout for any safety issues, so that they can then be quickly dealt with.
If you do not continually sweep your chimney in Carnforth, the resulting build-up of ash, soot and wood tar can quite easily lead to a chimney fire. A poorly maintained chimney can also cause carbon monoxide fumes to flow back into your property, a dangerous situation that you want to avoid at all costs.
All these factors add up to the importance of choosing a dependable Carnforth chimney sweep, who is also covered by public liability insurance. To find out how much it costs to hire a chimney sweep in nearby towns and villages.
Carnforth Skip Hire Services
Home refurbishments and garden makeovers make us feel much better about our lives and our properties in Carnforth, but even so, as with most things that make us feel good there are negative aspects, and in this instance it is the piles of waste that are created. Varying amounts of waste will be generated by fireplace installations, subject to your specific circumstances. You may have to arrange your own waste removal, as some tradespeople don't include this in their quote.
If this task is left for you to do, you could look into hiring a skip. To suit your exact requirements, you can choose between a whole range of skip sizes. The majority of skip hire companies in Carnforth offer skip bags, mini-skips, midi-skips, builders skips and even roll-on roll-off skips for different residential and commercial applications.
To get quotations for the different skip sizes CLICK HERE.
Carnforth Fireplace Related Tasks
There are a whole host of tasks that can be accomplished by your local Carnforth fireplace specialist including wood burning fireplaces, stone fireplaces Carnforth, contemporary fireplaces, fireplaces, oak beam fireplaces, traditional fireplaces in Carnforth, marble fireplaces in Carnforth, fireplace cleaning, marble fireplace surrounds in Carnforth, multifuel stoves, the installation of chimney cowls Carnforth, flue liners Carnforth, brick fireplaces, Victorian fireplaces in Carnforth, double-sided stove installation, fireplace refurbishment Carnforth, gas fireplaces, fireplace replacement Carnforth, modern fireplace installations Carnforth, freestanding stoves in Carnforth, open fireplaces, cast iron fireplace installations in Carnforth, chimney strengthening, chimney modifications Carnforth, electric fireplace installations, chimney repairs in Carnforth, wood burning stove installation, fireplace fitting, fire grate conversions, electric fireplaces, period fireplaces Carnforth, marble fireplace installation, fireplace repairs Carnforth, cheap fireplaces in Carnforth, fireplace services Carnforth, and lots more. Listed are just a handful of the activities that are accomplished by those installing fireplaces. Carnforth companies will be happy to inform you of their whole range of fireplace related services.
Fireplace Installers Near Carnforth
Also find: Bolton-le-Sands fireplace installers, Nether Kellet fireplace installers, Capernwray fireplace installers, Hornby fireplace installers, Borwick fireplace installers, Slyne fireplace installers, Claughton fireplace installers, Hawksheads fireplace installers, Hest Bank fireplace installers, Over Kellet fireplace installers, Millhead fireplace installers, Warton fireplace installers and more. There are people who install fireplaces in most of these villages and towns. These tradesmen, with their expertise and knowledge, are well-equipped to perform successful fireplace installations in your home. With the assistance of these dedicated specialists, residents can enjoy the warmth, atmosphere and comfort that a fireplace brings to their living spaces. To get fireplace installation quotes, local residents can simply click here. Would you like to get a fireplace installed on your property? Don't delay - get a quote today!
To get local Carnforth info check here
More: Fireplaces, Log Burner Installation, Fireplace Services, Electric Fireplaces, Cheap Fireplaces, Log Burner Installation, Fireplace Services, Fireplace Fitters, Brick Fireplaces, Bespoke Fireplaces, Fireplace Replacement, Electric Fireplaces, Fireplace Surrounds, Custom Fireplaces, Electric Fireplaces, Fireplace Services, Electric Fireplaces, Log Burners, Open Fireplaces, Gas Fireplaces, Bespoke Fireplaces, Bespoke Fireplaces, Fireplace Surrounds, Fireplace Surrounds, Stone Fireplaces, Log Burner Installation, Bespoke Fireplaces, Fireplace Replacement, Fireplaces, Fireplaces.
Fireplace installation in LA5 area, telephone code 01524.
Gas Fireplaces Carnforth - Domestic Fireplaces Carnforth - Fireplace Fitters Carnforth - Fireplace Installation Services Carnforth - LA5 - Fireplace Fitter Carnforth - Fireplace Carnforth - Brick Fireplaces Carnforth - Fireplaces Carnforth