Open fireplaces help to remove byproducts from a fire from your home without any assistance needed from you. SHIPPING. This fire-resistant, carbon fiber hearth cover is designed to attach to your metal screen via strong magnets. How to Make A Burlap Carrot Door Hanger. It looks like a work of Art Enjoy. Learn to grow a creative business with Kim from Salvaged Living! How to Clean Inside Dimplex Electric Fireplace. This can lead to high energy bills as you spend more energy to heat up your home. This is meant as a permanent solution, rather than something I might want to remove and put back occasionally. While positioning the fireplace door against the hearth opening, mark out the spots where youll drill your screw holes for the floor brackets. So, how do you temporarily cover a fireplace hole? I think this might be one of my favorite DIY projects ever. Its not hard and you can complete it in an afternoon! A top damper sits on top of the chimney and has a cord that runs down the length of the chimney. % of people told us that this article helped them. I really am in love with this project, you should absolutely rust something!!! By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Used to reduce maintenance costs and prevent the heating loss; Suitable for winter and summer, keeps the air circulation in house stably; Available in 4 sizes, suitable for most fireplace vent and can be cut for a snug fit; Packed and delivered in a roll, prevent damage from . Modern Masters Metal Effect Rust Kit You can get this kit in the following places (click to purchase online! BY PHONE: If you prefer, you can give us a call to order by phone - 215-817-8229. Other options are fireplace vent covers or adding glass doors to the fireplace to stop drafts from coming through. Standard chimney caps are cheaper and only seal the flue opening. I went back a few times and added more spray here and there in areas I wanted more rusty until I achieved the look I was going for. Join our FREE newsletter and get new projects, ideas and inspiration straight to your inbox! To maximize the wood collected from the yard, he cut each into 2- to 3-inch-thick rounds using a bandsaw. Chimney balloons can be purchased from online retailers. Apply the Metal Effect Primer to the entire surface of your fireplace cover using one of the paint brushes included in your kit. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. The AT-1002 Ascot Fireplace Glass Door by Pleasant Hearth offers both functionality and aesthetic appeal. To do this, measure the length and width of your fireplace hearth. Blocking this cold air at the bottom vent and the top vent with our Magnetic Fireplace Vent Covers will stop this cold air. How To Increase Chimney Draft. Again spray lightly and add more if needed. Once you've exposed the raw masonry, mix up a batch of thinset concrete and spread it over the surface of the brick using a broad, flat hand trowel. I wanted to know if using a chimney cap/damper worked, so I asked a friend who had his replaced not long ago. Since every Fireplace Fashion Cover is made when ordered, we can make one just for your fireplace size and for your tastes and dcor. After all, thats its job, to keep smoke from choking you. Cut a vertical support piece for inside the center of the frame and attach it with pocket hole joinery. This continuous process of air moving up a chimney is known as the draft. Cut your reclaimed lumber edges at 45 degree angles. I had put a lot of time and money into ensuring most of the house was as airtight as possible, not knowing it would adversely affect my fireplace. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Apply the double-stick tape that came with the bumper to the sides of the frame. You are exceedingly talented!! The best solution, in this case, is to replace the damper with a new, effective one. It looks like old rusty ceiling tiles. This worked perfect, I feel no air. Try not to overspray or pool the liquid. If you have an old wood-burning stover, or even one converted to gas logs, you likely know this old fireplace can be the source of cold air and drafts in the winter. You just have to really think it through to make sure you cut the angles in the right direction and use the short side of the trim as your measurement for length. Thats why it makes financial sense to block your fireplace opening if you dont intend to use the hearth for the foreseeable future. My friend also suggested not to use a cone-shaped chimney cap as it caused a downward draft, and using a rotating one made a mess on your roof, so I installed a regular square one, which has helped keep the air flowing correctly. For the curved area I used wood beads attached with a heavy row of construction adhesive. Use a liberal amount of construction adhesive on the back of the reclaimed lumber frame. FREE delivery Mon, Mar 6 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon. Also have them cut two pieces from a 2x4 to the same height as your fireplace opening. This base coat needs to dry completely - approximately 12 hours. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. Any time you want to use your fireplace, simply pull the cover out of the opening and slide it to the side. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. We lose a lot of heated air thru our fireplaces! These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Feel free to add a handle or decorative pull to the front of your insert. Although different, each serves the same purpose. By properly using a damper, covering the fireplace, or installing a chimney balloon, you can keep the heat in and the cold out! Measure the height and width of your fireplace opening and ask your hardware store to cut a sheet of plywood to the exact dimensions. Cut the foam bumper for the first side and press it onto the double-stick tape. Kim Jones and Salvaged Living, 2019. I have lots of DIY home improvement videos. Hello Kim, I love your project, the rust effect is amazing. Modern Masters has multiple metal effect kits that allow you to turn a surface or item into a beautiful treasure with rust patina, blue patina or a green patina finish. Also have them cut two pieces from a 2x4 to the same height as your fireplace opening. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Have your chimney inspected and cleaned once a year so build-up does not form. If you wonder what to do with your fireplace in the summer months then this little rusty DIY project is just for you. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. OVERSIZE: Width over 40 Wide AND Height over 32 High. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. You can always add more but not take it away! HOW THE FIREPLACE FASHION FIREPLACE COVER WORKS TO SAVE YOU ENERGY AND MONEY Our Covers Are Constructed By Layering 3 Different Materials, To Obtain The Best Insulation And Isolation Prevents Heat Loss, Air Conditioning Loss, Air Infiltration, Insects, Toxins and Fireplace Drafts All Year If you have a brick, wood-burning fireplace in your home, consider investing in a fireplace blanket. Step back a few times as you arrange the slices to make sure it looks like a realistic stack of logs, with each one resting on the one below it. The 2x4s will act as "legs" to keep the plywood upright. Arrange varying sizes of log slices on the plywood until you have your desired pattern. This particular solution is perfect for those who have an open hearth fireplace. A fireplace door reflects the drafty air and ensures combustion byproducts do not enter your house. This can make a big impact on our own comfort and home's energy bill as well. Due to its black finish and transparent glazing, this hearth door is the best option if you have a fireplace with a modern, minimalist aesthetic and are looking for something that matches it. Some people find that they work great at stopping a cold air draft, while others find that they do not work at all. As the hot air generated by a fire rises up the chimney it pulls more air behind it. With your protective gloves on, unroll the fiberglass insulation and stuff it into all three channels of the door to insulate it. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Your email address will not be published. You can check if that is the issue with your fireplace by opening a window while using your fireplace. If theres no air build-up between the plastic sheet and the fireplace, your fireplace cover and the edge bumpers have successfully sealed the fireplace; if theres air build-up, air is leaking through. Of course if your fireplace is all straight lines this will be a slightly easier process. My damper was not working correctly, so I had to replace mine. How To Clean Reusable Straws The Easy Way, Most Energy Efficient Dishwasher Buyers Guide 2023. If youve never made mitered corners practice on some scrap wood, but it is just a 45 angle cut. We can make any size to fit your needs. Once you find the measurements, make sure you buy a guard that is at least the size of the opening. Tired of battling drafts that raise your heating costs when you havent used your fireplace in years? However, they can also let in a cold draft and unwelcome pests from the outdoors. Excess build-up can cause a chimney fire. Keep a reminder card or tie something to the handle of the balloon so you dont forget its there. This Fireplace Insert Draft Stopper looks good year-round. I seriously love a nice cozy fire, but down here in Texas its a small window of opportunity on the wood burning situation. As much as it bugs me to say, some chimneys cant be saved. Fireplaces add a lovely layer of warmth and coziness to your home. Please note, if you are adding wood beads to an edge, make sure you cut this side down extra to allow for the bead thickness or your fireplace cover might not fit in the opening if you cut your cover with a tight fit. Installing a magnetic fireplace vent cover over those vents is a smart solution that stops cold air dead in its tracks. Cut insulation to size. Sanded and stained in richer tones, the branches take on the look of freshly chopped logs.. Today Ill show you how to build a fireplace insert draft stopper! Here are some solutions I found:-. I am a licensed general contractor and an interior designer. You probably have a damper already. Do you know of another material I could use on the back of the pegboard to get the same result? Gently slide the fireplace cover into the opening in your fireplace. Decide the Size of Your Fireplace Hearth Cover. I didnt have the right fireplace, so I could not use this method. Toni DeBella is a culture and lifestyle writer, reviews expert and DIY enthusiast covering everything from pests to painting to pool cabanas. Made of inflatable urethane or cut-to-size foam, they fit snugly up against your damper to lessen the chilling effect of a cold-air draft inside your home. You can see that our bricks are faux painted in this picture. CLICK HERE http://tinyurl.com/kyevc62/ To see all of our Fireplace and Hearth Items.Video Highlights 0:14 What is a Draft Guard?0:25 What size fireplaces wil. Time to assemble the sandwich. Blocking a fireplace opening can either be a DIY job, or you can call in the professionals. Finally, you want a cover that you can easily uninstall whenever you want to use the fireplace again. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The first step is to determine how large you want your fireplace hearth cover to be. These insulated fireplace covers are the easy affordable and attractive solution you have been looking for to stop the cold winter air and hot humid summer air from entering your home from outside and your expensive heated and cooled air escaping through the chimney. This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. If you have an odd shape or curved fireplace like I do you will need to create a pattern to use while cutting your wood base board. You cant weatherstrip the damper (that would be a fire hazard), so I solved the issue by building a rustic reclaimed wood fireplace insert to stop the draft. Before deciding whether to purchase or hand-make a fireplace draft stopper, check out our list of the kinds of stoppers that are available. Once its dry and gently lodged in place, the living space gains a stunning new faux focal point that prevents hard-earned heating dollars from going up in smoke. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Fireplace Chimney . You could staple or glue black ribbon in a few discreet spots along the bottom or sides of the fireplace cover that act as pull tabs to make it easier to pull the cover out when you'd like to use your fireplace. well as help cut the energy bills for heating your home. It actually works to rust wood, metal, masonry, painted surfaces and plaster. Regular chimney sweeps will help to eliminate this issue. I love this! You canreadmore about affiliate links here.). Thus, to completely keep cold air outside and hot air inside the house, we recommend covering these vents using a fireplace vent cover. This year I decided to tackle the problem by investigating how to stop the cold air draft with a fireplace draft cover. Kim, this is amazing!! Apply the Metal Effect Primer to the entire surface of your fireplace cover using one of the paint brushes included in your kit. If you dont have the money to invest in a fireplace screen door or a flue sealer, you can improvise using a DIY fireplace cover. Thank you to Modern Masters for sponsoring this DIY project. If you dont have a miter saw (one that cuts angles) you can make more of a box frame, but I think mitered corners look a tad more professional. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. [6] 2 Purchase a draft guard online or in store. This fireplace cover is very simple to make yet very effective to stop losing energy and stop draft coming in, which in turn saves a lot of money in our pocket How a fireplace insert. It sends chills up my spine each time. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". But, the rubber bumper will be very snug and since its foam it can compress when you insert it into the opening and then expand slightly to hold it in place. This base coat needs to dry completely approximately 12 hours. One of the best ideas I discovered was to install glass doors in front of the fireplace. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. (If you dont own a rip cut or track saw, you can make your own DIY Track Saw for your circular saw here!). Cover an outdated brick fireplace with contemporary tile. Theres a wide range of unused materials around the house that you can use to create a fireplace cover by yourself. Fireplace draft guard cover. A screen door or an insert may not be enough to fully prevent air leaks through your masonry firebox, as the vents on the lower and upper sections of the frame still allow for air to pass through. Finally, adding the reclaimed lumber is not necessary, I just like the look. Thanks for sharing this, Kim. You can build a brick-and-mortar one or have a gas one installed. You are in no way required to use them, but if you do, you'll help support my channel and allow me to continue creating helpful videos and tutorials with no charge to you! Apply insulation batt or spray foam within the framing of the wall up to the ceiling or roof line. You can then tighten the thumbscrew using a pair of pliers. It should be inset on the sides and top to allow room for the bumper (as shown in the photo below.). They also keep out smoke. Lay each piece inside the frame and use the speed square to scribe a line where you need to cut. See Disclaimer for details. Use pliers or an oven mitt to prevent any burns. All covers are made to your measurements. Mikes lookalike log insert eliminates costly drafts year-round while serving as a sneaky cover-up for a fixture thats hard to keep soot-free and spotless. indoor propane fireplace Area a: L x W x D 27 = Cubic Yards Area b: L x W x D 27 = Cubic Yards Now to get the total volume of the area in cubic yards you would add a & b Area a + Area b = Total volume in cubic yards If you are wanting to calculate in cubic feet instead of cubic yards for the same area, you would do the following math . 1. Got mine done last night and it looks nice, to my eyes : ) Yes, those 1/8-1/4 brick gaps allowed air to pass through, but not a whole lot; it was worse without the draft stopper. Use construction adhesive or wood glue to attach the trim to the base piece. Yes, the wood insert needs to be built custom to the size of your fireplace opening. Either the thinner business end or the thicker handle end can be useful depending on the gap size.#fireplace #energysavings #heating #insulation #energy #heat #winter #heatingbill #draft #drafty #warmthSupport us if you found this video helpful: Subscribe to the YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBgtpu1QDRAAA8QvsL68E1A?sub_confirmation=1 Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://aytwit.com/subscribe Buy Cool Stuff: https://aytwit.com/shop Give us a Tip: https://aytwit.com/donateAytwit on the Webs: Visit the Website: https://aytwit.com Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/aytwit_engineer Like on Facebook: https://facebook.com/aytwit.engineering Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/aytwit_engineering Thereis no additional cost to you. H Flue sealers are usually installed underneath the damper to keep out cold drafts and keep in hot air. Hello would you possibly make this and sell one? For me having a wood-burning fireplace is a must for heating my home in the cold and dreary winter, but there are times when a storm is on the way or the days when its windy out that I can feel a cold draft wafting from my fireplace opening. I opted to use a fireplace draft stopper called a Flueblocker Its made of wool and fits snugly up the chimney out of sight. Whether store-bought or handmade, fabric draft stoppers long, rectangular cloth tubes stuffed with soft, pliable filling are a stylish and simple way to block drafts that leak through cracks and gaps at the base of fireplace doors, screens and inserts. Therefore, blocking the opening with bricks is not an option. And when youre ready to warm up again, its easy to reverse this fix: Simply pull out the insert, replace the fireplaces screen, and rekindle the flames. If it has a leak, replace the balloon. If like me you have very noticeable cold air coming from your fireplace you ideally need to identify the main problem before spending money on a solution. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. By using our site, you agree to our. Its, therefore, crucial to seal/block a fireplace opening if its not currently in use. Reinflate the chimney balloon once the chimney is cold. Your fireplace screened turned out beautifully! Im a little bit of a fanatic when it comes to drafts. Text Me / Download Our Free App / E-mail Subscription / Shop / Tik Tok / YouTube / Pinterest / Facebook / Instagram / Courses & Community. Use insulating flameproof foam board by cutting out the correct shape, then pressing it in place under the damper. When you have a chance, please have your fireplace cover on, and then, cover the entire fireplace opening again with a 2mil plastic sheet. 1. Chimney flue pipes provide much-needed ventilation for masonry fireplaces. I also used velcro strips to hold it in place. This is at no extra cost to you. Gently slide the fireplace cover into the opening in your fireplace. Writing about practical steps we can all take to reduce our impact on the environment. Get a Modern Masters Metal Effect Rust Finish Kit. Once your fireplace cover is dry you will want to rust it for a gorgeous patina that ages your new piece and pulls it together. Buy a guard in a color that accents the inside of your house. I have a similar brick-face fireplace and was about to do a similar cover using the rubber edge or bumper. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I measured from the inside of the mantel, side to side and the bottom to the top inside edge as well. Advertisement Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse Tip Fireplace doors come in a variety of designs, and can either be temporary or permanent. Meanwhile, the bifold doors allow for easy closure to prevent air leaks when the hearth is not in use. Electric and gas inserts are also incredibly easy to operate. The Fireplace Blocker features magnetic construction that allows it to easily adhere to your fireplace screen. Please only use one picture with a link back unless individual permission is given otherwise by Salvaged Living. Or you could just put glass doors on the fireplace. Use a jigsaw to cut the curved edge and a table saw for the straight edges. I probably would select a wider trim if I made this again because I think it would be more substantial and attractive. Meanwhile, custom-sized chimney caps are more expensive and are usually mounted outside the chimney to cover both the chimney crown and top. They even block smoke. Free delivery for many products. Because, a lot of the heated air in our houses finds its way outside thru our chimneys! Using an electric drill and a 5/16-inch drill bit, drill two-inch deep holes in the spots that youd marked out during the previous step. How do you think of these things?!?! Make sure to vacuum again.- Shove the diaper-wrapped insulation board into the hole. []. I decided to use a fireplace draft stopper or flueblocker when my chimney is not in use, but there are other ways to insulate a fireplace that also work. This fireplace cover is super easy to make on your own and the perfect addition to your home. Lay the pegboard on top of the excess foam insulation and set the saw blade depth just below the pegboard. I checked my chimney cap/damper to ensure it worked properly. Allow to dry 5 minutes or so and then lightly spray again. Keep the guard over your fireplace whenever you arent using it. Other types of fireplace draft stoppers or plugs come in the form of inflatable chimney balloon devices made from balloon urethane, they fit snuggly up the chimney to stop any cold drafts from coming through. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Vertically position one of the 2x4s just inside the 2-inch mark and attach it to the plywood using a power drill and screws. Measure 2 inches in from the side of the plywood and mark the point. Check the fit of the cut pegboard with the edge bumper inside the fireplace opening. Plugging a drafty fireplace that we don't use. Stopping this cold convection will give you a lot of relief. Another important consideration is the visual aesthetics of the cover, as the fireplace is usually a focal point within the house and draws lots of attention. All Flue-zees are shipped separately for a fee of $15.95 each to addresses in the U.S.A. You may need to sand it down in a few places if it's too snug to slide in and out of the opening. Here's how I made our fireplace draft stopper. I put magnets on mine to hold it in place. Chimney balloons can be reused as long as it holds air. Leave the plywood laying flat on the floor as the glue dries overnight. You can then tighten the thumbscrew using a pair of pliers. To properly install a fireplace door, follow the general procedure detailed below: Before starting out on this project, make sure all the equipment and supplies you need for the project are close by. You can cover the foam with a cozy blanket or fun fabric to match your decor. Stir Metal Effect Oxidizing Iron Paint well with stir stick. Inspect the fireplace for any gaps or cracks around the fireplace. Its hot yall! However, since old-school dampers tend to allow cold drafts to leak into the house, flue pipes typically need to be sealed, especially if the fireplace is not in use. Learn how your comment data is processed. WOW! Learn how your comment data is processed. Gaps and cracks in your chimney masonry . Press the insert into your fireplace and stop the drafts forever! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The glass screen will heat up and help radiate heat from the fire. Over time Ive addressed most of the pesky cracks and crevices that invite cold air into our home. The fireplace should be covered across the front, inside the home. Heat loss up a chimney can be as much as 73%. Based in a medieval hill town in central Italy, when Toni isnt documenting her travels around Europe, shes tending her garden or honing her clay-court tennis game. You may need to tweak it and cut away some more until a good pattern emerges. If I could do my project again I would cut the baseboard smaller mine is a tight fit. You can ask a Lowes employee to cut down the rigid foam insulation for you so you can fit it in your car. But, just to keep my mind at peace, I bought a 1/4 backing rod, cut pieces to about an inch, and pushed it through those gaps, almost invisible from a distance, and it worked perfectly. Even if youve addressed the issues above a fireplace can still be drafty. If you have screen doors or an insert built into your fireplace, the vents along the top and/or bottom of the frame are known to leak up a storm. Instructables maker mikeasaurus demonstrates. Again, thanks for sharing your project it inspired me to move my lazy buns and do something useful : ). These types of fireplace draft stoppers also have the added benefit of preventing unwanted soot or wildlife from falling into the hearth. Allow the concrete to dry for at least 24 hours, then apply a second coat of latex-infused thinset.