Fireplace Fitter Reading Berkshire (RG1): A fabulous way to add extra charm, character and a welcoming feel to any dwelling in Reading, is to reopen a disused fireplace to install a wood burning, multi-fuel or open fire. If you decide to integrate a back boiler with your new fireplace, you can not only take pleasure in the ambience and warmth of an open fire or stove on those chilly winter evenings, you'll also be supplied with a plentiful supply of boiling hot water.
There are some things you will need to do to ensure you can install your new fireplace in a safe and efficient way, before you begin prising away at a blocked up chimney breast. Work which is carried out on the chimney breasts, fireplaces, hearths and flue linings of any heat producing appliances, must follow Part J of the UK's Building Regulations. If your dwelling in Reading is a listed building or is situated in a designated conservation area, planning permission may also be necessary before any work can begin.
PROFESSIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION OR DIY?
You may be capable of doing some of the work in renovating a bricked-up fireplace if you have the skills to do so, but structural and safety issues are often found that need to be resolved professionally. When your blocked up fireplace is revealed you may find a decent chimney breast, lintel and hearth which requires little more than a chimney sweep to get it all working once more. It is a lot more likely however, that you'll discover a blocked flue and an area of old, crumbling brickwork that needs to be to be reinforced structurally to make it safe.
Due to the severe health and fire risk problems that can result from an improperly fitted or restored fireplace, it's best to benefit from the knowledge and experience of a competent fireplace installer in Reading. For a fire to burn properly and efficiently in a space where a fireplace is fitted, there has to be plenty of airflow to ensure an adequate amount of oxygen. Not enough oxygen means the fire will not burn well, and carbon monoxide could accumulate, which can cause injury or death.
A competent fireplace installation crew will analyse the situation and overcome this challenge to ensure a satisfactory airflow for the fire to burn safely and properly, by installing vents in locations around the room, or under the floors. Unused and blocked up chimney flues might also need to have air vents fitted as they can trap moist air and cause damp to develop inside the chimney breast.
BEFORE WORK STARTS
Huge amounts of dirt and soot will enter your room when you're opening up a disused fireplace. It is recommended that you remove your your furniture and carpets before any fireplace refurbishment work commences, because even with covers and other dust protection for your possessions, the likelihood of damage from soot and muck is still quite likely. If you're carrying out a full renovation of a house or room, the fireplace ought to be opened up and worked on before any plastering or decorating is undertaken. If other work has recently been finished, this could be affected by soot and other chimney related dirt.
STRUCTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION WORK
Now that you are able to see the fireplace opening it's time to clean and sweep the chimney and hearth and figure out what can be restored. If this has not already been done, you should now get in touch with the local Reading chimney sweep. Besides sweeping and cleaning your flue and chimney, they will also consider the condition of your flue liner and chimney and inform you whether any aspect of the flue and chimney structure needs replacing.
If you need to strengthen the chimney or install a flue lining all relevant UK Building Regulations must be complied with. These are tasks that should be done by an experienced craftsman with knowledge of the applicable building regs and quality construction skills.
If the size of the existing fireplace is greater than your needs, a supporting concrete lintel will need to be installed. The upgrade, installation and repair of the fireplace hearth can proceed as soon as the lintel is in position. If the existing hearth is set into the floor you will have to raise it above floor level to comply with the current UK Building Regulations. Pre-made options from marble, concrete or stone are available to achieve this, or your fireplace builder in Reading may be able to provide you with a bespoke, custom-made hearth to complement the design of your room.
FIREPLACE DESIGNS
If you pay a visit to a fireplace showroom you'll find that you are spoilt for choice with a wide array of different choices available to you. The advice and recommendations from your 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 decor.
Certain rooms and houses will look better with an open fireplace than a wood burning or multi-fuel stove and vice versa. As an example, a cast iron wood burning stove looks wonderful set into an old-fashioned inglenook fireplace, highlighting the character of the stove and redirecting any heat that's generated back into the room to good effect.
Even if you don't have a chimney breast in your Reading property, it is still entirely possible to put in a wood burner stove. Your fireplace specialist can take a flue straight from the top or rear of the stove and out through an outside wall, therefore a chimney structure is not needed.
MULTI-FUEL, WOOD, GAS, OPEN OR ELECTRIC FIREPLACE?
If this style of fireplace can't be installed within your Reading home, what other options are available?
Gas Fireplaces - Gas fireplaces are superior to wood burner stoves when it comes to thermal efficiency, and you will find an array of sizes and styles to complement any property in Reading. Gas fireplaces must only be fitted and maintained by a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer, (Gas Safe replaced CORGI registration in 2009).
Open Fireplaces - Provides a stunning focal point for any room and can use a number of different solid fuels. Luckily, modern fireplaces are not the draughty, inefficient and smoky features that they used to be, and an open fire creates a warm and toasty environment for the occupants to enjoy.
Wood Burning Stoves - An array of styles to complement any type of property in Reading, and, if required, can even be freestanding. When used in conjunction with a back boiler, these can provide extra heating possibilities by connecting the hot water to a cold spot in your home via a radiator.
Electric Fireplaces - Basic installation and a diverse choice of styles make electric fireplaces the obvious choice for Reading properties that don't have a chimney. Modern electric fires can be successfully installed in your house, even if you've got a traditional fireplace, and many of them look pretty much like a genuine fire with crackling sound effects and dancing flames.
Multi-Fuel Stoves - As you'll probably guess from the name, these kinds of stoves can burn a number of different fuels, including oil, smokeless coal, gas or wood, and not just that, they can also introduce an excellent focal point for your home in Reading. If you decide on a multi-fuel stove from AGA for instance, you can get hot water, do cooking, and when connected to your radiator system, provide heat for the whole house.
Fireplace installation services can be located in the Reading area, as well as in: Theale, Binfield Heath, Tidmarsh, Dunsden Green, Whitley, West Reading, Caversham, Mapledurham, Sulham, Tokers Green, Sonning, Calcot, Pangbourne, Pingewood, Southcote, Chazey Heath, Emmer Green, Play Hatch, Caversham Heights, Shinfield, Trench Green, Norcot, Englefield, plus places with postcodes like: RG1 2AA, RG1 1TT, RG1 2SA, RG1 2QS, RG1 2DP, RG1 2PL, RG1 2AX, RG1 2LG, RG1 2QZ, and RG1 1BU. Fireplace companies from Reading will typically have the phone code 0118 and the postcode RG1. This might be one thing that you can check if you would like to make certain you hire a locally based fireplace fitter.
Stone Fireplaces Reading
As fireplaces go, some homeowners want to achieve a truly spectacular look, and how better to do that, than with a fireplace crafted from natural stone. It could be that your property's exterior has already got some natural stone features, such as boundary walls or a stone facade. This might be a good way to complement those external features on the inside of your home.
There are two ways in which a natural stone fireplace can be constructed, and subject to your personal taste and how much cash you are happy to spend, you can choose between stone cladding or the full-depth stone option. Also, limestone, marble, sandstone, quartz, granite or slate, are among the different types of stone that can be employed to build a fireplace.
How your finished fireplace looks, will depend on the methodology used by the tradesman or stonemason who builds it, the style of building (mortar built or dry stone) and the type of stone that's used. You should get some images prepared of the kind of design you're looking for, and before work begins, you can show them to your fireplace builder.
While some modern day houses may not suit the look of a stone fireplace, there are lots of stylish designs that use a combination of stone, timber and metal, that can be especially striking in appearance.
Chimney Sweep Reading
The regular sweeping of your chimney is crucial if you've got an open fire or a wood burner in your property in Reading. Chimney sweeping and cleaning should generally be carried out at least once yearly.
To be confident that the job is being conducted correctly, it's always a wise idea to bring in a specialist Reading chimney sweep. As well as cleaning your chimney, the chimney sweep will be in a position to spot any safety issues that exist with your chimney, so that these can be dealt with quickly.
A build-up of ash and soot can result in chimney fires if you fail to sweep your chimney. Apart from fires there are other dangerous situations that can be caused by a poorly maintained chimney, one example is that of carbon monoxide fumes being drawn back into your house.
This all adds up to the fact that you should always employ a trustworthy Reading chimney sweep, and one who has decent public liability cover in case any accidents or damages occur. You can CLICK HERE for chimney sweep prices in Reading.
Chimney Cowls Reading
To improve draft and help to stop backflow, a chimney cowl is a hood-shaped cap for your chimney pot. It is usually crafted from galvanised iron and sits over the chimney to keep the wind from blowing smoke back down. It can be found online or in a builder's merchants. Whether you choose to buy a new one or make an existing one work better, a chimney cowl will keep your fireplace or stove working properly.
There are several sorts of chimney cowl on the market. There are pot hanging cowls which can be installed without removing the chimney pot. They attach to the flue liner via 3 straps, which secure the cowl in position. Another form of cowl is a weathering cap, which is mounted on the end of the flue. It is larger than the chimney pot, which ensures that it stays in position.
One of the most common forms of chimney cowls is the H-style. This pattern is the most effective at controlling the draught and allows your fireplace to function more efficiently. It is made out of a series of H-shaped pipes that isolate the combustion gases from down draughts. It was originally designed for marine applications, but has become popular among householders because of its energy-saving functionality.
Another type is the Aerodyne cowl. It works by drawing air into the chimney cowl and lowering 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 upward from the fireplace. Other types of chimney cowl include: anti-downdraught chimney cowls, bonnet chimney cowls, birdguards, static chimney cowls, spinning chimney cowls and aspirotor chimney cowls.
Chimney cowls are a quick way to prevent birds building nests in your chimney in Reading. They are cheap and easy to put in. You should make certain that you have clear access to the area above the chimney to install one. It can also stop dirt and debris from accumulating inside the chimney.
Fireplace Inserts Reading
A favourite among property owners in Reading seeking to improve their traditional fireplaces, are fireplace inserts. To enhance the efficiency of a fireplace, these inserts have been devised to direct more heat into the room and reduce heat loss. By eliminating the mess and inconvenience of traditional wood-burning fireplaces, these inserts provide a safer and more convenient way to relish the appeal of a fire.
Fireplace inserts come in a variety of designs and sizes, ranging from gas to electric and wood-burning models. Gas fireplace inserts are a low-maintenance and user-friendly option, while electric inserts offer flexibility and convenience with their adjustable settings and remote control. Wood-burning inserts are the best choice for householders who desire the genuine experience of a crackling fire and the aroma of burning wood.
Along with their convenience and efficiency, fireplace inserts are designed to be good for the environment. They reduce the amount of air pollution caused by traditional fireplaces by producing fewer emissions and burning fuel more efficiently.
Professional installation is important to guarantee a safe and correct installation of a fireplace insert. Offering a range of benefits, fireplace inserts are an excellent investment for any property owner seeking to improve the comfort, convenience, and value of their property.
Reading Fireplace Related Tasks
Your local fireplace company can accomplish a wide assortment of services and tasks including the installation of chimney cowls, outdoor fireplaces Reading, electric fire suites, modern fireplace installations, wood fireplace mantels, contemporary fireplaces Reading, fireplace restoration Reading, fireplace inserts Reading, marble fireplace surrounds, freestanding stoves, cheap fireplace installation, two-sided fireplaces, designer fireplaces, cast fireplace installations, inglenook fireplace Reading, fireplace removal Reading, fireplace replacement in Reading, fireplace repairs, 3-sided fireplaces, built-in electric fires, corner fireplaces, Victorian fireplaces, fireplace cleaning, Victorian fireplaces Reading, the installation of Victorian fireplaces, elm fireplaces Reading, electric fireplace installation, stone fireplace installation, oak beam fireplaces Reading, elm fireplace installations, open fireplaces, bespoke fireplaces, reclaimed fireplaces Reading, gas fireplace installation Reading, hearth fireplaces in Reading, and more. Listed are just some of the tasks that are performed by a local fireplace installer.
Fireplace Installers Near Reading
Also find: Caversham Heights fireplace installers, Chazey Heath fireplace installers, Dunsden Green fireplace installers, Englefield fireplace installers, West Reading fireplace installers, Pangbourne fireplace installers, Emmer Green fireplace installers, Trench Green fireplace installers, Calcot fireplace installers, Whitley fireplace installers, Tidmarsh fireplace installers, Mapledurham fireplace installers, Southcote fireplace installers, Tokers Green fireplace installers, Caversham fireplace installers, Shinfield fireplace installers, Binfield Heath fireplace installers, Play Hatch fireplace installers, Sulham fireplace installers, Norcot fireplace installers, Sonning fireplace installers, Pingewood fireplace installers, Theale fireplace installers and more. Fireplace installers are ready and able to serve people living in all of these towns and villages. These tradesmen, with their expertise and knowledge, are well-equipped to perform precise fireplace installations in your home. With the help of these dedicated professionals, residents can enjoy the atmosphere, comfort and warmth that a fireplace brings to their homes. Local property owners can obtain fireplace installation quotations by clicking here.
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