Fireplace Fitter Hungerford Berkshire (RG17): If you are sick and tired of soaring energy costs and want to find an alternative method for heating your dwelling in Hungerford, why don't you open up that unused fireplace and install an economical open, wood burning or multi-fuel fire? The addition of an open fire or wood burning stove for those chilly winters' evenings can even prove to be more economical than a conventional central heating system, so long as you have a ready source of timber or fuel. If used in combination with a back boiler it can provide you with plenty of piping hot water at the same time.
If you're to end up with a safe and efficient fireplace, there are some important considerations you must bear in mind, before you begin bashing down the walls of a blocked up fireplace. All work must observe Part J of the UK Building Regulations, which covers the installation and construction of fireplaces, chimney breasts, hearths and flue linings of any heat producing appliance.
PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION OR DIY?
You might be able to do some of the restoration work on an existing fireplace if you have the ability needed, however there is always a problem in finding structural and safety problems that need to be resolved professionally. When your boarded fireplace is exposed you might find a sturdy chimney breast, hearth and lintel which requires little more than a chimney sweep to get it working once more. What you will likely find is a pile of crumbling, old bricks that conceals problems such as a blocked chimney or a lintel that requires replacement.
It's usually best to draw on the experience and knowledge of a certified fireplace fitter in Hungerford, on account of the severe health and fire risks associated with an improperly fitted or renovated fireplace. Airflow must be adequate in any room in which a fireplace is to be installed; in fact it is a key requirement of the Building Regulations that this is the case. If there is not enough airflow then it's quite possible that a fire will not burn efficiently and cause carbon monoxide to build up, which can be deadly.
It may be necessary to fit airflow vents in floors and walls to enable the fire to receive ample oxygen to burn safely and efficiently at all times. Blocked off and unused chimney flues may also have to have air vents fitted as they can sometimes trap moist air within them and cause damp to develop inside the chimney.
BEFORE WORK COMMENCES
Huge quantities of soot and muck will enter your room when you are having an unused fireplace opened up. It's sensible to remove your your furniture and carpets before any fireplace refurbishment work commences, as even with coverings for your furniture, the likelihood of impairment from dirt and soot is still likely. When it is just part of a more extensive home refurbishment project, the opening up of a fireplace should be one of the very first tasks that you do, due to the mess involved. This will prevent damage to other phases of your renovation project (i.e. plasterwork or freshly painted walls), by soot and other chimney dust that is expelled.
STRUCTURAL & CONSTRUCTION WORK
Once the fireplace has been opened up and revealed, you'll get a far clearer picture of the renovation work that needs to be undertaken. You can then also proceed with sweeping the chimney and cleaning any repairable parts of the hearth and back panel. Contacting a proper Hungerford chimney sweep to clean your chimney will be one of the initial items on your agenda. They will not only ensure that your flue and chimney are clean, but they can additionally check the state of the flue liner and existing chimney and offer guidance if you need to upgrade any section of the chimney and flue.
After a chimney sweep's examination it may be necessary to install a new liner and/or strengthen the chimney breast as laid down in Part J of the Building Regulations. These are tasks that need to be done by an experienced builder with a good understanding of the pertinent regulations and quality construction skills.
In older buildings you may find the revealed fireplace is too big for your purposes, which will mean that a supporting concrete lintel will be needed to adapt the opening. After this step has been completed, the updating or renovation of the old hearth can be undertaken. To stay in accordance with the present building regs, the hearth of a fireplace should be laid at least 12.5mm above the level of the floor, although you might find that yours is sunk into a floor void, as they frequently were in the olden days. There are bespoke options to fit any style and size of fireplace, or you can select from a range of common sized hearths to match your decor.
FIREPLACE DESIGNS
Checking out the nearest fireplace dealership or browsing on the net will give you a notion of the wide range of different designs and styles of fireplace for you to pick from. It is crucial to listen to the professional advice of the salespeople and the installers, as all the available fireplaces will not be suitable for your particular chimney, flue and airflow.
Certain houses and rooms will look better with an open fireplace than a wood burner or multi fuel stove and vice versa. By way of example, a wood burner looks splendid set back in an old-fashioned inglenook fireplace, which highlights the charm of the stove and also deflects the heat into the room to good effect.
Even if your Hungerford property doesn't have a chimney you've still got the option of a feature fireplace by putting in a multi-fuel stove or a wood burner. You don't need an existing chimney to benefit from an authentic fire, provided that you have an exterior wall that can have a stainless steel flue passed through it.
ELECTRIC, OPEN, GAS, WOOD OR MULTI-FUEL FIREPLACE?
You can't really beat a roaring fire on a damp winter's evening, to create a distinctive charm and atmosphere in your Hungerford property, but what other options are there?
Electric Fireplaces - A popular choice for householders in Hungerford, these fires can be put in by virtually any competent person, safely and easily. Even if your house has a traditional fireplace, an electric fire that looks almost like a "real" fire can be fitted.
Gas Fireplaces - More heat efficient than wood burners, gas fireplaces are available in a whole host of styles to complement your property in Hungerford. The installation and maintenance of gas fires should only be carried out by a Gas Safe authorised technician in Hungerford.
Open Fireplaces - A crackling fire is a focus for any room and it has the ability to burn virtually any solid fuel available on the market. Being far from the old-fashioned smoky fireplace, an expertly fitted open fire can provide a warm and toasty atmosphere in any Hungerford home.
Wood Burning Stoves - Available in a vast selection of sizes and styles that can be a freestanding feature when necessary, these popular stoves can can benefit rooms of any size. They can provide piping hot water for radiators or for other use around the house, if used alongside a back boiler.
Multi-Fuel Stoves - Multi-fuel stoves can be fired up with with a variety of fuels, including coal, oil, gas or wood, to create an eye-catching focal point in your property in Hungerford. Some styles, like the AGA range, can also be used for cooking, providing hot water and heating your entire property.
Fireplace installers can be accessed in Cold Harbour, Froxfield, Great Bedwyn, Eddington, Radley, Straight Soley, Hungerford Park, Upper Eddington, Crooked Soley, Knighton, Avington, Denford Park, Little Bedwyn, North Standen, Shalbourne, Ramsbury, Littlecote, Kintbury, in these postcodes: RG17 0JZ, RG17 0DR, RG17 0EF, RG17 0GZ, RG17 0GU, RG17 0SQ, RG17 0AP, RG17 0YT, RG17 0DG, and RG17 0NL, and also in Hungerford itself. Hungerford fireplace fitters will generally have the postcode RG17 and the telephone dialling code 01488. This is something that you can check if you favour hiring a local fireplace builder.
Chimney Sweeping Hungerford
If you've got an open fire or a wood burning stove in your house in Hungerford, the regular sweeping of your chimney is imperative. At least once yearly is the recommendation for chimney sweeping.
So as to get the work done correctly and without lots of mess, the preferred approach is to contact a specialist Hungerford chimney sweep, who will be happy to help you. A competent chimney sweep won't only clean your chimney but additionally be on the lookout for safety issues and other problems.
Chimney fires can easily be the result of an accumulation of ash, soot and creosote if you forget to sweep your chimney. As well as preventing fires, you will also want to avoid the possibility of poisoning by carbon monoxide gas. When a chimney gets blocked this noxious substance can seep back into your home with horrific consequences.
This all adds up to the fact that you should always use a professional Hungerford chimney sweep, and one who has decent public liability cover in case any damages or accidents occur. To get a chimney swept in Hungerford, GO HERE for a quote. chimney sweeping services are also available in nearby villages and towns.
Chimney Cowl Installation Hungerford
A hood-shaped cap for your chimney, a chimney cowl increases draft and helps to stop back-up in your chimney system. Fitting neatly on top of your chimney pot, and usually produced from galvanized iron, it helps to stop the wind blowing smoke back down your chimney. It is a crucial component of any chimney in Hungerford. It can be bought in a builder's merchants or on the web. Whether you decide to purchase a new one or make a pre-existing one work better, a chimney cowl will keep your fireplace or stove working effectively.
There are several forms of chimney cowls on the market. There are pot hanging cowls which can be installed without removing the chimney pot. They connect to the flue liner by means of three straps, which secure the cowl in place. Another kind of cowl is a weathering cap, which is attached to the end of the flue. These are bigger than the chimney pot, which guarantees that they remain in position.
You can also find chimney cowls made from commonplace products, like a stainless steel colander or steel bucket. Ordinary chicken wire can also be used to make a fairly effective cowl. Clay flower pots also make great chimney cowls. These products can easily be purchased on the internet or at your local hardware store.
One of the most common types of chimney cowl is known as the H-style. This design is the most effective at controlling the draught and enables your fireplace to perform more efficiently. It's made from a series of H-shaped pipes that isolate the combustion gases from down draughts. It originally served marine applications, but has become popular among homeowners because of its energy-saving attributes.
Another type is the Aerodyne cowl. It works by drawing air into the chimney cowl and lowering downdraught. It is available in an assortment of colours. Its venturi shape draws air into the chimney cowl, creating a drop in air pressure that draws air upwards from the fireplace.
Chimney cowls are an effective way to stop birds from nesting in your chimney and blocking the entire thing up. They're inexpensive and easy to install. You should make sure you have clear access to the space above the chimney stack to fit one. It can also stop dirt and debris from building up inside the chimney.
Stone Fireplaces Hungerford
If you really want to make a splash with your fireplace, there is no better way than to build one using stone. This is a great way to bring a bit of the outdoors, in! It's possible you already have a stone feature on your property's exterior, for instance a boundary wall or stone facade. Your stone fireplace inside, could coordinate with those natural features outside.
Either full-depth stone or thinner stone cladding can be used to create a stone fireplace. Your budget and taste may influence your decision. Also, marble, limestone, slate, quartz, granite or sandstone can be used to construct a stone fireplace.
How your completed fireplace looks, will be affected by the individuality of the tradesman or stonemason who builds it, the kind of stone which is used and the style of building (dry stone or mortar jointed). Get some images and discuss these with your fireplace installer before they begin, if you've got an idea about precisely what you want.
As it has such a striking presence and can dominate the appearance of a room, stone is not always suitable for a contemporary property. However, dramatic and spectacular might be exactly what you are looking for - and when push comes to shove, the choice is yours!
Flue Linings
Fitted to boost the safety and efficiency of your chimney structure, a flue liner (or chimney liner) is essential and should not be overlooked whatever the circumstances. With the objective of transporting smoke and fumes safely to the outside of a property, flue liners are conduits made of metal, clay or ceramic material which are installed inside chimneys. If you reside in an older building in Hungerford, it could be that you don't have a liner in your chimney at all, or that the existing one is compromised and will need to be replaced.
Your fireplace flue can, over time, be affected by the dangerous gases and fumes that are generated by burning a fire. Whilst it is being cleaned, get the chimney sweep or fireplace specialist to assess your flue for any impairment or prospects of it failing in the future. A busted flue can enable those toxic gases to penetrate your dwelling. Intense heat could also be permitted to pass into the chimney's structure, generating the possibility of fires.
Fireplace Installers Near Hungerford
Also find: Knighton fireplace installers, North Standen fireplace installers, Kintbury fireplace installers, Shalbourne fireplace installers, Avington fireplace installers, Ramsbury fireplace installers, Cold Harbour fireplace installers, Upper Eddington fireplace installers, Radley fireplace installers, Crooked Soley fireplace installers, Littlecote fireplace installers, Little Bedwyn fireplace installers, Eddington fireplace installers, Great Bedwyn fireplace installers, Denford Park fireplace installers, Straight Soley fireplace installers, Froxfield fireplace installers, Hungerford Park fireplace installers and more. The majority of these towns and villages are served by people who install fireplaces. Possessing the necessary knowledge and experience, these skilled tradespeople can adeptly install fireplaces in your home. Thanks to the support from these dedicated specialists, residents can relish the cosy atmosphere and warmth a fireplace provides in their living environments. To get price quotes for fireplaces, local home and property owners can simply click here.
Hungerford Fireplace Related Tasks
Your local Hungerford fireplace fitter can provide an extensive range of services and tasks, and together with what's previously been covered they will be able to do modern gas fires, fireplace mantels, electric fire baskets, stone fireplaces Hungerford, Victorian fireplaces Hungerford, fireplace inserts Hungerford, stone fireplace installations, Regency fireplaces Hungerford, fake fireplaces, reclaimed fireplaces Hungerford, contemporary fireplaces Hungerford, fireplace surrounds in Hungerford, chimney cowl installations, inset stove installations, fireplace fitting, corner fireplace installations Hungerford, cast fireplace installation in Hungerford, open fireplaces Hungerford, fireplacerates in Hungerford, electric fireplace installations, fake fireplace installations, oak beam fireplaces, brick fireplaces, elm fireplaces Hungerford, the installation of modern fireplaces, wood burning fireplaces, fireplace suites, flue liners in Hungerford, freestanding stoves Hungerford, marble fireplace installation, cast iron fireplaces, double-sided stove installations, fire grate conversions Hungerford, carbon monoxide detector installation, cheap fireplace installation, and others.
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