Fireplace Installation
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What to Consider Before Installing a NEW Fireplace
Before you decide to repair your fireplace or install a brand new system, there are a few things you should consider. If you don’t already have a fireplace in your home then you’ll need a Professional Contractor to inspect the house and help you with the requirements of building a system into the home.
However, if you already have a fireplace in your home but perhaps it’s old, ugly, outdated, or doesn’t work at all then it’s time to start looking into your options. Which starts with understanding the type of burning system you currently have in your home. Whether it’s gas or wood-burning there are many types of fireplaces. Regardless of which type you have, you’ll want a Certified Chimney Sweep to help make this project a success from start to finish!
1. Prefab or Masonry?
Prefabricated fireplaces and chimneys (also known as factory-built fireplaces) offer a cost-effective fireplace installation compared to a hand-built masonry wood-burning fireplace. Also, having us install your wood stove or fireplace requires just a few days, compared to a week or more for a masonry fireplace.
2. Factory Built Systems
It’s easy to understand the appeal of factory-built fireplaces and chimney products to add warmth to home and hearth. Homeowners take comfort in knowing special steps were taken for you, the end user’s benefit.
We should understand that these engineered hearth products (fireplaces, wood-stoves, fireplace inserts, etc.) are only safe and functional when the two main components, the chimney and fireplace installation, are done same time. The fireplace manufacturers undergo testing of the prefabricated fireplaces and chimneys together. This ensures many years of chimney safety and performance.
In Kansas City, your Full Service Chimney sweep has performed many fireplace installations and chimney rebuilds. We have seen first-hand that prefabricated fireplaces and chimneys can have just as many brick chimney and fireplace variety issues. Let us help you decide which system is right for you.
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Our Certified Repair Technicians can install your new fireplace professionally and with attention to every detail.
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Why Choose to Install a Prefab Wood-Burning Fireplace?
- It’s a responsible choice if you’re looking for an economical wood or gas fireplace
- Chimney safety is built into the prefabricated design
- Unlike its brick fireplace counterpart, a “prefab fireplace” is:
- Lightweight
- Installed with minimal construction
- Mass-produced, so the fireplace installation costs less
- Prefab fireplaces are quickly installed on-site since each is a pre-assembled unit
- Designed and built for fire safety
Design of Factory Built Heating Systems
A Factory-Built Fireplace Firebox is constructed of sheet metal pieces formed and riveted together. On the inside portion exposed to flame, refractory panels are placed on the walls and beneath the fireplace grate, where the heat is the greatest.
There are engineered air spaces that reduce the heat to nearby combustibles to minimize heat transfer between the sheet metal of the prefabricated fireplace and refractory panels. Finally, the fireplace damper, found at the top of the fireplace firebox, is incorporated into the prefab chimney flue base.
Many prefabricated fireplace installations have a fireplace glass door and a screen to limit the sparks that escape, which adds a sense of security to have a fire in the home. While prefabricated fireplace glass doors are frequently optional, the fireplace spark screen and prefabricated fireplace refractory panels should always be present.
Fireplace Installations Require Attention to Details
As with masonry chimneys and brick fireplaces, you should understand that proper construction and annual maintenance (chimney sweeping and fireplace inspections) are essential for your installed fireplace. Regarding proper fireplace installation, to avoid a home or chimney fire, it is important to follow the prefabricated fireplace’s installation manual and use only proper chimney parts.
For example, the fireplace manufacturer installation manual required the prefabricated fireplace firebox to have an airspace of several inches to combustibles. Instead, it is too close (or worse touching), a house fire of nearby combustibles could result if those combustibles overheat.
Likewise, if the fireplace glass doors designed for a brick fireplace were accidentally installed on a prefabricated fireplace, cooling from air circulation around the refractory panels in the prefabricated fireplace firebox would be compromised, and overheating would likely result. For this reason, prefabricated fireplace inspections and chimney cleaning are critical.
During a fireplace cleaning, your Full Service Chimney sweep will not only remove soot and creosote to avoid a chimney fire but perform a Level 2 Chimney Inspection with a video inspection of the chimney flue. Fireplace Inspection performed by a Certified Chimney Inspector is important.
The NFPA211 (National Fire Protection Association code) requires a fireplace and chimney be inspected annually. Only close examination by a Full Service Chimney Inspector can detect deterioration or defects in the original fireplace installation.
What Our Customers Say
"The employees were all courteous and knowledgeable. They explained what needed to be done and provided documentation of services that needed to be done, and upon completion. I have used other chimney services in the past, and feel Full Service was by far the most professional and complete."
"Great service and very thorough."
"Full Service Chimney came exactly when they promised to, repaired my chimney and charged exactly what they had bid. They are also very nice people."
"Great experience from first appt with sales to installation guys. All are helpful, knowledgable and skilled. A good experience from the get go."
"The crew that came out were very professional, took good care to keep my floor clean and explained every step of their procedure From inspection, to actual procedures, I would recommend this company. They completed the job as promised in the time promised as well. Prompt and great work"
Your #1 Contractor for Chimney and Fireplace Installs in KC
The Full Service Chimney team of Certified Technicians install fireplaces daily in the Greater KC metro area. We can fully install your brand new system in no time!
Or if you’re having problems with an old setup, then we can help you troubleshoot. If the unit can’t be repaired, then rest assured we can replace your fireplace system with ease.