Fireplace Fitter Galashiels Scotland (TD1): Opening up an unused fireplace or having a new one put in is a wonderful way to add a touch of character to any room in your dwelling in Galashiels. The addition of a wood burning stove or open fire for those cold winter days can even prove less expensive than some central heating systems, as long as you have a ready source of wood or fuel. If combined with a back boiler it can supply you with plentiful hot water in the process.
To achieve an efficient and safe fireplace, there are a few essential details to consider, before you start knocking down the walls of a blocked up fireplace. Any heating appliance installed in residential homes in Galashiels must conform to Part J of the UK's buildings regs, and this covers fireplaces, hearths, chimney breasts and flue linings. For the installation of a fireplace in a listed building, or one that sits in an official conservation area, you'll have to check with the local authorities if planning permission is necessary.
PROFESSIONAL OR DIY FIREPLACE INSTALLATION?
If any construction work is needed with your fireplace installation, safety and structural issues could arise that have to be resolved by a professional, although an enthusiastic and competent DIY fanatic may be able to tackle a simple restoration of an old or existing fireplace. If you're lucky when you open up a boarded fireplace you may find a decent lintel, hearth and chimney breast that requires little more than the services and advice of a chimney sweep to get it ready for use. What's more common however is a jumble of crumbling, old brickwork that conceals a blocked flue, and needs some form of structural reinforcement before it can be safely used.
A poorly installed fireplace can cause serious fire risk and respiratory health problems and, as such, should only be put in by a professional fireplace installer in Galashiels with the experience and knowledge to install it effectively. As is laid down in Part J of the Building Regulations for fireplaces, there must be adequate airflow in a room where there is a fireplace, because in order to burn properly, the right amount of oxygen is required. If the airflow is not good enough then it's quite possible that a fire will not burn efficiently and cause carbon monoxide to build up, which can be lethal.
An experienced fireplace installation crew will analyse the situation at hand and overcome this challenge and ensure an adequate airflow for the fireplace to combust properly and safely, by fitting vents in locations around the room, or beneath the flooring. They might also have to install air vents into unused chimney flues which can trap condensing air and cause damp spots and staining to your chimney breast.
BEFORE WORK BEGINS
An enormous amount of soot and other dirt can be discharged from a blocked up fireplace when opening it up for renovation. So that the rugs, furniture and carpets within a room do not get impacted by the soot and grime that is emitted during the fireplace installation work, it is a good idea to have them removed in advance. When it's just part of a more extensive refurbishment project, opening up a fireplace ought to be one of the first tasks that you do, because of the mess involved. If other work has already been done, this might get damaged by soot and other chimney dirt.
STRUCTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION WORK
Now that you can see the opening of your fireplace it is time to clean and sweep the chimney and hearth and work out what is fit for refurbishment. If this has not already been done, you should now get hold of a local Galashiels chimney sweep. After cleaning and sweeping, they'll offer specialist advice about what sort of state the chimney structure and flue liner is in, and tell you if there are any elements that need replacing.
Following an assessment by a competent Galashiels chimney sweep, and in compliance with the UK Building Regulations, work to install a new liner and/or strengthen the chimney may be needed. This is not likely to be the kind of work that can be accomplished by a DIY person, therefore you'll need to hire a competent builder or fireplace installer who is experienced in good construction practices and is familiar with the Building Regulations.
If the size of the existing fireplace is larger than your requirements, a supporting concrete lintel must be installed. When your concrete lintel is safely in position you can now proceed with the renovation, upgrade and installation of the fireplace hearth. If the current hearth is set into the floor you'll need to raise it to conform to the latest building regulations. You can find custom-made solutions to fit virtually any size and style of fireplace, or you can select from a range of popular size and shape hearths to fit in with your decor.
STYLES AND DESIGNS OF FIREPLACE
A trip to a fireplace showroom or a browse online will show the alternatives that are available for the different styles and types of fireplaces. Every fireplace might not be appropriate for your flue and chimney and it's wise to accept any advice offered by your sales and installation team regarding your specific circumstances.
Certain houses and rooms will be more suitable for an open fireplace than a multi-fuel stove or a wood burner and vice versa. As an example, a wood burning stove looks fantastic set back in an inglenook fireplace, highlighting the charm and character of the stove and deflecting the heat into the room to good effect.
Even if you don't have a pre-existing chimney in your Galashiels home, it's still feasible to put in a multi-fuel stove or a wood burner. As long as you have an outside wall through which a stainless steel flue from the stove can be channeled, you don't need to have a pre-existing chimney structure to be able to enjoy that "real" fire experience.
MULTI-FUEL, GAS, WOOD, ELECTRIC OR OPEN FIREPLACE?
A flickering fire on a cold, dark evening creates an ambience and charm that can't be matched, however what other options are available to fit in your new fireplace in Galashiels?
Multi-Fuel Stoves - As the name implies they can be used with a range of fuels, such as oil, smokeless coal, wood or gas, and become an attractive focal point in any kitchen or living room in Galashiels. They can be used not only for heating a room, but some styles like the AGA collection, can provide useful cooking areas, supply hot water and can be used to heat the complete property when plumbed into an existing radiator system.
Gas Fireplaces - Providing instant heat and being more efficient (thermally) than open fireplaces, there are a wide variety of designs to suit any period of property. A Gas Safe certified technician must fit and maintain any gas fireplace in your home, (CORGI was replaced by Gas Safe registered qualification in 2009).
Wood Burning Stoves - Even the smallest room in Galashiels can benefit from the fitting of a wood burner, which can be found in a variety of designs, and can even be installed freestanding. A back boiler is an added benefit and could provide piping hot water for personal use, or for heating for the house via radiators.
Electric Fireplaces - Basic installation and a wide choice of styles make electric fireplaces a popular choice for Galashiels homes that don't have a chimney breast. Even if your home has a conventional fireplace, an electric fire can be installed that looks almost like a real fire with dancing flames.
Open Fireplaces - The classic fireplace which can be used with various fuels such as wood, smokeless coal, briquettes and other flammable materials. An open fire is a sight to behold and modern fireplaces are no more the inefficient, smoky and draughty items they once were.
Fireplace installation work can be undertaken in Galashiels and also in nearby places like: Tweedbank, Fountainhall, Newstead, Melrose, Stow, Lauder, Drygrange, Earlston, St Boswells, Selkirk, Leaderfoot, Innerleithen, Redpath, and in these postcodes TD1 1NU, TD1 1RT, TD1 1JR, TD1 1RG, TD1 1HY, TD1 1NP, TD1 2AT, TD1 1TE, TD1 1QS, and TD1 2AN. If a fireplace company has the postcode TD1 and the telephone code Dialling code 01896, you can safely presume that they hail from somewhere in Galashiels area. Verifying that this is so will make certain that you're dealing with a locally based fireplace fitter.
Flue Liners
Enabling your chimney to perform a lot more effectively, a flue or chimney liner is a crucial addition to the chimney set-up on your house. With the purpose of carrying fumes safely to the outside of a property, flue liners are conduits fabricated from metal, clay or ceramic material which are installed inside chimneys. Chimneys on older houses in Galashiels might not be fitted with flue liners at all, or will need to be re-lined based on their condition and age.
Your fireplace flue lining can, in time, be damaged by the harmful gases and fumes which are formed by burning a fire. Whilst it's being cleaned, get the sweep or fireplace specialist to examine your flue for any damage or any risks of it deteriorating in the foreseeable future. You need to prevent those toxic gases from seeping into your living area, which is exactly what can happen when a flue lining is faulty. There's an additional threat with busted flue linings, in that they can permit extreme heat to penetrate the chimney's structure, which might result in fires.
Ways To Lower Your Heating Bill And Keep Your Fireplace In Excellent Shape
With all the current worries about the environment, the traditional fireplace has lost a little of its former charm, however it still is a favourite feature for many in Galashiels. Sitting in front of the heat of a fireplace, revives many cherished memories for lots of folks. The fireplace offers many benefits for your property, but there are also some important drawbacks that might need to be fixed. As energy costs climb, you should ensure that your fireplace is giving you heat efficiently. While having a fire going in a fireplace keeps the people around it cosy, it actually removes warm air from other parts of the room, causing your heat source to work harder. In the event you don't have a fire, the damper is supposed to keep heat in. Regrettably, dampers have a very inadequate seal, so cool air can get in, and warmer air will go out.
Many house owners that possess a fireplace in their home in Galashiels do not realise how the fireplace can cause their utility bills to rise. Instead of saving resources, and heating costs, it's usually adding 100s of pounds of energy expense. There is a way to take your less than efficient fireplace, and make it into a heat generating system that will more closely fit your budget. Pretty much all you need to do is basically 4 fundamental things to fix your fireplace. These should make your fireplace very economical and very efficient.
The first step is to take away your fireplace damper and swap it for a new top sealing damper. A top sealing damper is fitted at the top end of your chimney which also doubles as a storm door. The top sealing damper helps to keep the air in the house from getting away and will work effectively in hot and cold weather conditions. This doesn't take lots of time to fit and you can get one online. Another thing you will be able to do is fit a fire-back in the back part of your fireplace. It's manufactured from cast iron and is used to help the look of your fireplace while protecting the back wall from fire damage. The fire-back gets warmed up by the fire and sends the heat back into a room, hence boosting the overall efficiency of the fireplace.
Another thing that will help is a fireplace heater/fan, which heats the room air that is being circulated through an internal chamber, and blows it back towards the room. These gadgets are put in place as closed systems to make sure they don't give off any smoke, but they're quite effective at keeping your house warm. Finally, you may put in glass doors which will likely be the costliest. If you do your research, you can find glass doors at a decent price and mount them on your own. Glass fireplace doors can keep the air in your home from escaping and it also helps to safeguard your pets and children from accidentally falling into the fire.
The guidance presented here is not that challenging to put into action, and most of the items can be purchased online. Try your best to ensure your fireplace is efficient and watch your heating bill go down.
Fireplace Installation Information and Advice
With a swift search on the internet you'll be able to find loads of invaluable articles on fireplace decoration, fireplace ideas and fireplace installation - we found this insightful one on fireplace design ideas click here. To find out what's happening on social media, check this out. See a basic You Tube guide on how to restore and install a Victorian cast iron fireplace here. Forums exist on most subjects, and fireplace installation is no different, so take a peek at one of the fireplace forums, discussions comprise widening a fireplace, trims for stoves, understanding building regulations, log burning stoves, chimney designs and pellet boilers and stoves. The dedicated Wikipedia "fireplace" page is the place to head over to for details about the evolution of fireplaces, the health effects of fireplaces, the heating efficiency of fireplaces, coal burning fireplaces, the types of fireplaces and how fireplaces affect the environment.
Galashiels Fireplace Related Tasks
There is a wide range of work that can be undertaken by your local Galashiels fireplace installer including fireplace hearths, reclaimed fireplaces Galashiels, chimney modifications Galashiels, electric fireplace installations in Galashiels, tiled fireplaces Galashiels, brick fireplace installations, the installation of modern fireplaces in Galashiels, electric fire baskets, inglenook fireplace in Galashiels, fireplace mantels in Galashiels, fireplace fitting, fireplaceprice quotes, fireplace inserts Galashiels, gas fireplace installations, bespoke fireplaces, modern fireplace installations, fireplace installation in Galashiels, traditional fireplaces Galashiels, limestone fireplaces, Victorian fireplaces in Galashiels, flue liner installation in Galashiels, Victorian fireplace installation, brick fireplaces Galashiels, double-sided stove installations Galashiels, cast iron fireplaces, wood burning fireplaces, multifuel stove installation Galashiels, outdoor fireplaces Galashiels, fireplaces in Galashiels, Regency fireplaces Galashiels, chimney cowl installations Galashiels, designer fireplaces Galashiels, fireplace suites, 2-sided fireplaces, three-sided fireplaces in Galashiels, and more. These are just a few of the activities that are accomplished by tradesmen fitting fireplaces. Galashiels specialists will be happy to tell you about their entire range of fireplace related services.
Fireplace Installers Near Galashiels
Also find: Tweedbank fireplace installers, Redpath fireplace installers, Drygrange fireplace installers, Selkirk fireplace installers, St Boswells fireplace installers, Lauder fireplace installers, Stow fireplace installers, Fountainhall fireplace installers, Melrose fireplace installers, Earlston fireplace installers, Leaderfoot fireplace installers, Newstead fireplace installers, Innerleithen fireplace installers and more. Practically all of these villages and towns are covered by companies who fit fireplaces. These tradespeople, with their expertise and knowledge, are well-equipped to perform successful fireplace installations in your home. Residents can enjoy the warmth, comfort and ambiance that a fireplace brings to their living spaces with the help of these dedicated specialists. By clicking here, fireplace installation quotes are available to local residents.
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Fireplace installation in TD1 area, and dialling code Dialling code 01896.
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