Renovating a fireplace: a quick guide
Advice, regulations and guidance to make your restoration project run smoothly
Renovating a fireplace? Experts from the Stovax Heating Group share the most up-to-date heating information, from whether it’s better to renovate in summer to the latest regulations and chimney dilemmas…
Should I renovate a fireplace in summer?
Expert Michael Coke, Senior Development Engineer at Stovax says:
“Installing in summer will ultimately make the whole process of choosing a stove or fire that little bit less of a rush to get everything ready in time for winter. It is easy to only start to think about heating requirements when the evenings get shorter and the nights colder, but this is when it is likely to be most busy for both chimney sweeps and installers, meaning you may not have your project completed in the time you need.
Installing a stove or fire in summer allows you to take your time choosing a model that suits you, plus gives you much more chance to get your house in order in time for the winter season… and you never know, you may even be able to negotiate a better price!”
Can I have a stove or fire if I don’t have a chimney?
Solid fuel and gas stoves and fires need an exit for combustion gases. Typically, if you have an existing chimney, your installer will most likely look towards a conventional flue installation.
If you don’t have a chimney, you may be able to install a pre-fabricated one that works in the same way as a normal chimney would.
There are options for you to have a chimney system that runs either internally or externally to your property, allowing you to enjoy a stove or fire in your home. Your retailer will be able to advise which type is best for your installation.
Alternatively, if opting for a gas stove, many models are available as balanced flue versions. A balanced flue gas fire or stove does not need a chimney, and instead requires a twin-wall pipe to vent directly to an outside wall. Air for combustion is drawn in through the outer pipe whilst the inner pipe removes the combustion gases to the exterior of the property.
Can I have a stove or fire in a kitchen?
Ultimately – yes, it’s likely that you can have a stove or fire in your kitchen, but there are some important considerations to think about during the renovation.
Firstly, your kitchen is likely to have an extractor fan. Extractor fans create negative pressure, which can cause problems for a solid fuel stove or conventional flue gas appliance as these need positive chimney pressure to remove combustion gases from your home. Without positive pressure, the gases created during combustion can linger in your chimney, and in some cases can even be pulled back into the room.
