Fireplace Fitter Chepstow Wales (NP16): Re-opening up an old fireplace or installing a new one is an excellent way to add character to any room of your property in Chepstow. Not only can you delight in the warmth and comfort of an open fire or stove through the cool winter's evenings, but if you integrate a back boiler with your new fireplace, you'll also be supplied with plenty of piping hot water.
Before you start prising away at a bricked-up chimney there are some things you will need to do to make certain you can install your new fireplace in a safe and efficient way. The UK Part J building regs for combustible appliances for starters, which deals with any work that's carried out on flue linings, fireplaces, hearths and chimney breasts. If you are living in a building that is listed, or a dwelling that is within a conservation, you will need to find out from the council if you need planning permission for a fireplace installation.
DIY OR PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION?
If you are an enthusiastic and competent do-it-yourselfer it might be possible to refurbish an existing blocked up fireplace, but the chances of running into structural problems in many cases is high. When your boarded fireplace is opened up you might be lucky and find a decent chimney breast, lintel and hearth that requires little more than a chimney sweep to get it working once more. It's much more likely that you will discover crumbling brickwork that requires structural reinforcement and a blocked flue.
Hiring a certified fireplace installer in Chepstow is normally recommended, because an improperly fitted fireplace can can cause a fire risk and respiratory health problems. Ensuring that sufficient oxygen is available for a fire to burn safely is a key part of the Building Regulations for fireplaces. Lethal carbon monoxide can soon accumulate from an inefficiently burning fire in a poorly ventilated space.
It might be necessary to install airflow vents in walls and floors to enable the fire to get enough oxygen to burn effectively and safely all the time. Condensed air can often get trapped inside unused or blocked chimney flues which may also require improved ventilation, to avoid issues with dampness on the chimney breast.
BEFORE WORK COMMENCES
It is surprising just how much muck and soot can build up inside an old chimney and you won't know exactly what is there until you proceed to open it up. It's advised to remove your your furniture and carpets before any fireplace renovation work and chimney sweeping commences, as even with covers and other dust protection for your belongings, the chance of impairment from dirt and soot is still possible. Because of the mess involved, if the fireplace installation is just part of a bigger home renovation project, it should be one of the first tasks that you tackle. This should help to prevent any harm by soot and other chimney dirt to any previously completed work.
CONSTRUCTION AND STRUCTURAL WORK
You can clean and sweep the chimney and hearth and find out what can and cannot be refurbished, once the opening up of the fireplace has been completed. One of the first items on your to-do-list should be to phone a decent chimney sweep who works in and around Chepstow. They will be willing to offer you expert guidance on the chimney and flue after sweeping, as to the condition of the chimney and if it would be advisable to upgrade the existing liner.
After a chimney sweeps examination it may be necessary to strengthen the chimney breast and/or install a new flue lining in keeping with Part J of the UK Building Regulations. This is unlikely to be the kind of work that can be accomplished by a DIYer, so you'll have to bring in a competent builder who is experienced in good construction techniques and an extensive knowledge of the relevant Building Regs.
It's entirely possible that a concrete or steel lintel will have to be installed, if the revealed fireplace is of a size that is larger than your needs. When you have supported your fireplace with a lintel it will then be possible to upgrade or renovate the hearth. If the current hearth is sunken into the floor you'll have to raise it to conform to the latest regulations. Pre-made solutions from slate, marble or stone are available on the market to accomplish this, or your fireplace builder in Chepstow might be able to offer a bespoke, tailor-made hearth to complement the design of your room.
STYLES AND DESIGNS OF FIREPLACE
Browsing on the net or visiting the nearest fireplace dealership will quickly make you realise that there's a wide array of different styles and designs of fireplace for your home. It normally pays to follow the advice of the salespeople and the installation team when it comes to which fireplaces will be appropriate for your chimney, flue and ventilation situation, because some of them will not be.
Whether you decide on an open fireplace, a wood burner or a multi-fuel stove will be based on the all round look you are trying to develop, your current decor and in some cases, your property's age. As an example, a cast iron wood burning stove looks great set back in an inglenook fireplace, which highlights the charm and character of the stove and also reflects the heat into the room to good effect.
You still have options for a fireplace feature by putting in a wood burning or multi fuel stove, even if your Chepstow property hasn't got an existing chimney. This form of fireplace can be fitted with a stainless steel flue that's routed through an outside wall and does not require a chimney, to be installed and work safely.
MULTI-FUEL, GAS, ELECTRIC, WOOD OR OPEN FIREPLACE?
If your situation doesn't allow for a natural fireplace to be installed, what are all the possible alternatives?
Wood Burning Stoves - Available in a whole host of designs which can be a free standing feature if required, these versatile stoves can be employed in even the smallest of rooms. An added benefit of these devices is that they can provide steaming hot water for domestic use around the home, or provide heating in another area by means of a radiator, when integrated with a back boiler.
Electric Fireplaces - These are a suitable option virtually any room and house in Chepstow, and can be safely and quickly installed by any reasonably competent person. An electric fire can be installed in your property, even if you've got a traditional fireplace, and some of them look almost like a genuine fire with crackling sound effects and dancing flames.
Multi-Fuel Stoves - Provides you with the option of burning oil, wood, coal and gas to furnish you with a multi-purpose heater for any property in Chepstow. These can be used not only for heating a room, but some styles like the AGA range, can provide useful cooking areas, supply hot water and can be used to heat the entire home if they are plumbed into an existing radiator system.
Open Fireplaces - This is the classic fireplace, creating an interesting centrepiece for a room or space, and can use different solid fuels, such as anthracite nuts nuts, wood, smokeless coal and briquettes. A skillfully fitted contemporary open fire will be no comparison to the old style smoky fireplace that was boarded up by earlier owners, and its glowing elegance is a delightful addition to any home in Chepstow.
Gas Fireplaces - Gas fireplaces are a lot better than wood burner stoves in relation to thermal efficiency, and there are a wide range of sizes and styles to suit any house in Chepstow. The maintenance and installation of gas fires must only be performed by an approved Gas Safe tradesman in Chepstow.
It isn't just in Chepstow itself where you're able to access fireplace installers - neighbouring areas like: Stroat, Mathern, Sudbrook, Tidenham, Pwllmeyric, Portskewett, Bayfield, Itton, Woodcroft, Sedbury, Caldicot, Crossway Green, Beachley, Bulwark can also be covered. It's more than likely that any fireplace builders from the Chepstow district will have the phone code 01291 and the postcode NP16. Simply click on the "quote" banner to get details about fireplace installation in your location.
Flue Linings
Allowing your chimney to operate a lot more effectively, a flue or chimney lining is a vital part of your chimney set-up. With the objective of transporting fumes safely to the outside of a property, flue liners are ducts fabricated from metal, clay or ceramic material that are installed inside chimneys. There is a reasonable possibility that if your property in Chepstow is really old, the chimney might not even be fitted with a liner, and even if it is it will almost certainly need to be replaced.
While a fire is burning in your grate, some hazardous gases and fumes are the result, and the flue inside your chimney can be harmed and eaten away and damaged by these fumes. Your flue lining needs to be frequently inspected for potential problems and damage every time it's being swept. An impaired flue can allow those dangerous gases to penetrate your dwelling. There can be an increased likelihood of house fires when flu linings are defective, because intense heat is able to reach the actual structure of the chimney, often with deadly consequences.
Practical Ideas On How To Preserve Your Fireplace And Reduce Your Heating Bills
Along with worries about the environment, the iconic fireplace is missing some of its charm, but it is still a favourite with many people in Chepstow. Sitting in front of the heat of a fireplace, brings back many precious memories for lots of folks. There are numerous benefits to having an open fireplace although there are also a few downsides that may need to be taken care of. Due to energy costs elevating so rapidly these days, your open fireplace must be a sound source of heat, not one of inefficiency. Although having a fire alight in a fireplace keeps those near to it toasty, it actually removes warm air from the rest of the area, causing your heater to work harder. In the event you do not have a fire lit, the damper is supposed to keep heat in. However, dampers are usually not particularly efficient seals, therefore all of the warm air escapes and allows cold air to come into the property.
What most homeowners in Chepstow tend not to know about their fireplace is that it doesn't do precisely what they believe it's doing. Instead of saving resources, and heating costs, it can often be adding hundreds of pounds of energy expenditure. There is a way to take your less than efficient fireplace, and turn it into a heat creating system that will more closely fit your budget. There are at least four easy things that you are able to do to improve your fireplace. Each of these is going to make your fireplace very affordable and more efficient.
The first step is to take away your fireplace damper and change it for a new top sealing damper. This type of damper is positioned towards the top of your chimney and helps to stop rain and snow from coming in. The top sealing damper will keep the air in the property from leaking out and will work very well in cold and warm weather. The seal is easy to fit, and can be purchased on the web. Next, you should fit a fire-back in the rear part of your fireplace. This is a cast iron plate that is created to enhance the room interior decoration, while shielding the back wall from damage due to the heat. The fire-back absorbs the heat from a fire, and radiates it back inside the room, improving the overall efficiency of your fireplace.
Another option is to obtain a fireplace fan/heater, which draws cool air in and warms it up. These heaters do not release any smoke and should be extremely successful in keeping your family home warm and toasty. The final thing you're able to do is to fix glass doors, which may be a bit on the expensive side. If you do your research, you can find glass doors at a reasonable price and install them on your own. Such doors create a barrier between your living space and the chimney, not only stopping the warm air in the room from escaping up the chimney, but also offering protection to the inhabitants.
The guidance we just presented is not that challenging to put into action, and most of the products can be purchased on the internet. Get the best from your fireplace and watch your energy costs tumble.
More Help and Guidance
To ask or answer questions related to fireplace installation check out one of the fireplace forums, subjects include things like understanding building regulations, pellet stoves and boilers, widening a fireplace, log burning stoves, chimney design and stove vents. The dedicated Wikipedia "fireplace" page is the place to head to for information regarding the health effects of fireplaces, the evolution of fireplaces, electric fireplaces, the heating efficiency of fireplaces, how fireplaces affect the environment and the types of fireplaces. To view how freplace fitters are marketing themselves on social websites, check this out. There's a great deal info about fireplace installation on the web these days, and to discover more about elegant fireplace designs head here. By seeing You Tube videos like this it's possible to discover how to install a recessed electric fireplace.
Chepstow Fireplace Related Tasks
Such things as gas fireplace installation, stone fireplace installation in Chepstow, fireplace suites, designer fireplaces, Victorian fireplace installation, chimney strengthening, fireplace refurbishment in Chepstow, fake fireplaces, corner fireplaces, flue lining installation, chimney modifications, electric fireplaces in Chepstow, hearth fireplaces, 3-sided fireplaces, two-sided fireplaces, built-in gas fires, traditional fireplaces in Chepstow, the installation of Regency fireplaces in Chepstow, Victorian fireplaces in Chepstow, the installation of chimney cowls, Victorian fireplace installations, corner fireplace installation, tiled fireplaces in Chepstow, bespoke fireplaces, elm fireplaces, wood burning fireplace installations in Chepstow, oak beam fireplaces, brick fireplaces in Chepstow, cast iron fireplace installations in Chepstow, fireplace mantels are just a taste of the services and tasks that your local Chepstow fireplace fitter can provide. When it comes to what's available, this is not in any way an exhaustive list of what can be provided by a local fireplace fitter.
Leaving a Review
When people in Chepstow are looking for services, a lot of them browse reviews online to help in making an informed choice, therefore great reviews are the lifeblood of any local business. If someone has done an excellent job for you, it is only right and proper that you leave them a nice review, and let others know how they did. Letting other know about your personal knowledge will be beneficial to any prospective client and also to the business itself. If reviews helped you to decide on the best person to employ for your fireplace project, you'll appreciate how helpful this can be. It matters not how professional a company website looks, without those reviews you may have looked someplace else.
But, can the reviews be relied on when you're actually on a business's own website? Are they provided by "real" clients or by a member of the company seeking to push the quality of their services?
Rather than trusting these, you can head to Google My Business reviews, where you will get more sincere and genuine reviews on companies in Chepstow. People in Chepstow, and in fact throughout the world, browse the reputation of companies each day on this most trusted of websites. The second biggest review platform for local businesses in Chepstow is Bing Places for Business, and this is the serious competitor of Google My Business. You will be able to help to raise the profile of a company that worked successfully on your fireplace installation project by writing and submitting a glowing review here, and while doing so provide an overall picture of the reliability and standards that they provided.
Company reviews can can just as easily be posted on Twitter and Facebook, which are excellent places leaving feedback. A leading part of any small business's media marketing activities, these social media giants are a crucial part of the review process. Their marketing message will be strengthened by your feedback and you have given recommendations to friends and neighbours who are trying to find services of a similar nature, this will give them a starting point for their search for the perfect company.
Going 'old school' and traditional is naturally still acceptable, and you can prepare a hand-drafted letter of thanks and post or hand it in to the company. These can be gathered together to create a portfolio of reviews which is beneficial in one on one meetings with prospective customers, mounted in a frame for display in receptions, or photographed and uploaded to the company website. No matter what method you choose to provide your review, it is wonderful to know that you have helped a small business get a foothold in the local marketplace.
Family & Friends Recommendations
It's always really useful to ask if friends and family have any recommendations when looking for a professional contractor for your project or undertaking in Chepstow. Together with filtering out substandard fireplace contractors and companies that have an atrocious track record, word of mouth referrals are generally the best way to single out someone who's perfect for your requirements.
Asking an acquaintance or family member for feedback also means you get some first hand insights into the reliability and timekeeping of the fireplace fitter, and if things went awry, how quick were problems rectified and what the contractor's attitude was like. They should also also be able to provide you with info about how the final bill stood up in comparison to the original quotation that was given, details which are typically hard to get from the installers themselves.
Your friends and family are individuals you know, and ultimately when it comes to advice, they're the individuals you can trust. If they have had an unsatisfactory experience in dealing with a certain contractor or fireplace fitter, you may well find that they will be reluctant to chat about them. And, rather than 'casting aspersions on' a substandard contractor, a lot of people might even offer an alternative company, because generally most people will be perfectly happy to discuss a good contractor and less likely to mention a lousy one.
Searching For Fireplace Installation On the Internet
If you're looking to find tradesmen or services in Chepstow, you will almost certainly go online initially to check out what's available. Google, Bing, Ask or Yahoo will supply instantaneous results which will to a certain extent be connected to the keywords you searched for. In reality the results which are displayed on page 1 of the top search engines might not be the exact results you were expecting. When looking for fireplace installers, the majority of home owners in Chepstow, will enter "Chepstow fireplace installation", "fireplace installation in Chepstow", "fireplace installation near me" or "fireplace installation Chepstow" into the search engine and see what appears.
If you read through the page 1 results, you will notice that the upper and lower 4 listings will be some kind of "pay per click" advertisements, while the majority of the remainder will be from major trade portals such as Local Heroes, Checkatrade, My Builder, Rated People, TrustaTrader or Quotatis or directories like Cyclex, Yelp, ThreeBestRated or Yell. The web sites belonging to genuine fireplace installers in your area will probably be listed a lot further down the search engine results - on page two or three perhaps. Chepstow fireplace fitters don't invariably their own business web sites, so to obtain a wider sample of who's available, it's still sensible to use a trade portal like Rated People or Local Heroes.
Fireplace Installers Near Chepstow
Also find: Tidenham fireplace installers, Portskewett fireplace installers, Sedbury fireplace installers, Mathern fireplace installers, Itton fireplace installers, Woodcroft fireplace installers, Beachley fireplace installers, Sudbrook fireplace installers, Crossway Green fireplace installers, Bayfield fireplace installers, Caldicot fireplace installers, Bulwark fireplace installers, Stroat fireplace installers, Pwllmeyric fireplace installers and more. Companies who install fireplaces can be found in most of these villages and towns. These tradespeople, with their expertise and know-how, are well-equipped to perform successful fireplace installations in your property. These dedicated professionals can assist residents in experiencing the warmth, comfort and ambiance that a fireplace brings to their homes. Local home and property owners can get fireplace installation quotations by clicking here.
Fireplace Services Chepstow
- Brick Fireplaces
- Wood Burning Stove Installation
- Fireplace Repairs
- Victorian Fireplaces
- Fireplace Surrounds
- Cast Iron Fireplaces
- Electric Fireplaces
- Open Fireplace Installation
- Fireplace Quotes
- Fireplace Installation
- Fireplace Installers
- Regency Fireplaces
- Fireplace Installation Services
- Gas Fireplaces
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Fireplace installation in NP16 area, phone code 01291.
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