how to make a fireplace draft cover

wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The main consideration when choosing a cover for your fireplace opening is its ability to prevent air leaks. The fireplace should be covered across the front, inside the home. A removable fireplace draft stopper is one possible solution. These types of fireplace draft stoppers also have the added benefit of preventing unwanted soot or wildlife from falling into the hearth. For ease cut the wallpaper larger than the base, adhere and then trim away the excess for perfect coverage. Its not hard and you can complete it in an afternoon! Dry fit each piece and continue until youve filled the frame. Top dampers can also protect against animals getting into your chimney. Try not to overspray or pool the liquid. Any suggestions? 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. Its the best! Fireplace draft cover amazon. If you need to make the balloon fit better, push the corners of the balloon up into the chimney with your fingers. Kim Jones and Salvaged Living, 2019. I probably would select a wider trim if I made this again because I think it would be more substantial and attractive. A chimney balloon is simply a form of balloon that you can blow up within your chimney to provide a tight seal. Please consider subscribing to get more contents like this on a weekly basis. Hunter Rising is a wikiHow Staff Writer based in Los Angeles. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Flue sealers are usually installed underneath the damper to keep out cold drafts and keep in hot air. Hunter holds a BFA in Entertainment Design from the University of Wisconsin - Stout and a Minor in English Writing. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Cut the next side and notch out where there are any overlaps. Measure the base plywood piece to fit the fireplace opening and then use the wrapping paper stencil as a guide to draw any curved or odd shaped portions. 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. Some options include the use of a fireplace draft cover, installing a damper device, the use of a fireplace draft stopper or a fireplace insert. If you lit the fire and forgot to open the damper, use pliers or an oven mitt to pull the lever so you dont burn yourself. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Measure and Cut Your Fabric Measure the body pillow length and width then double it. Learn how your comment data is processed. Toni DeBella is a culture and lifestyle writer, reviews expert and DIY enthusiast covering everything from pests to painting to pool cabanas. But asInstructables maker mikeasaurus demonstrates, there is a third option: shutting out the cold with a few fallen branches and some simplescrap wood. You can always add more but not take it away! He informed me that using a chimney cap worked to keep cold drafts out of his fireplace. Thank you! DIY Fireplace Cover! DO This to STOP Losing MONEY - YouTube Modern Masters Metal Effect Rust Kit You can get this kit in the following places (click to purchase online! Again spray lightly and add more if needed. Keep the guard over your fireplace whenever you arent using it. Fireplace blankets are made of thick insulating fire-resistant material. Why Open Fireplaces Can Be Drafty (And How To Fix) - Fireplace Universe Fireplaces add a lovely layer of warmth and coziness to your home. Once you have the right product you can make all new things look vintage and yummy! Most types of chimney balloon will allow a small amount of air to vent around them to keep a small amount of airflow. Another option would be to buy foam insulation and wrap it with fabric and batting and simply fit it in the fireplace opening. Hi Rosemary I checked with the brand and the product is listed on the Amazon International site, but color selection may be more limited. Fireplace Draft Cover Amazon - fireplacenow.co Galvanized steel draft king chimney cover is the durable and economic choice for chimneys in most regions. The AT-1002 Ascot Fireplace Glass Door by Pleasant Hearth offers both functionality and aesthetic appeal. Measure the height and width of your fireplace opening and ask your hardware store to cut a sheet of plywood to the exact dimensions. See Disclaimer for details. The truth is you can turn just about anything to rust, so dont limit the rust part to just this project. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. I liked how it worked and it was a good option if you dont have a table saw or track saw. 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. Follow the wallpaper instructions for application. Step 4. What could I use besides rigid insulation? I could not be more thrilled with the way this DIY turned out and I am going to walk you through how to recreate a fireplace cover full of rusty goodness of your very own. Attach a shelf bracket to the bottom of each 2x4 "leg" to add additional support to the fireplace cover, so it doesn't tip over once it's upright inside your fireplace. I may rust something! Tired of battling drafts that raise your heating costs when you havent used your fireplace in years? Best Temporary Fireplace Covers Fireplace Blocker firebox blanket References. I am saving this post in hopes I will try this some day! Lay something (scrap plywood, pegboard or foam insulation) on top of the reclaimed lumber design and flip it over so the backside is facing up. I could barely feel any draft coming through now so Im satisfied with the project and would say about 95-98% air is contained in the fireplace. Allow first coat to dry and then use a second coat for complete coverage. A damper should be your go-to draft stopper if your fireplace has one. The 2x4s will act as "legs" to keep the plywood upright. To effectively seal off your flue opening, you can install a polyurethane chimney balloon sealer or a silicone rubber flue pipe sealer. Using the same dimensions as the pegboard, cut your frame pieces (miter cut the corners for a clean look). Arrange varying sizes of log slices on the plywood until you have your desired pattern. It takes at least 30 to 40 minutes to activate and see the rust change take place. This process requires a free passageway for hot air and waste gases and smoke . Look through the trim selections and pick a style that goes with your decor. It works fine but a little more wiggle room would be better. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Here are 21 Ways to Get Your Home Ready for Winter. Once your lead anchors are in place, its now time to insulate the door to prevent smoke leaks. Thank you for all your lovely emails, very inspiring, take care, Rosie. Gently slide the fireplace cover into the opening in your fireplace. I have a similar brick-face fireplace and was about to do a similar cover using the rubber edge or bumper. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Don't miss out! Its snug fit ensures that thisDIY draft stopper stands in the fireplace and effectively plugs any potential air leaks. While positioning the fireplace door against the hearth opening, mark out the spots where youll drill your screw holes for the floor brackets. Sure, you can turn up your thermostat to counteract the chill, but that will send your heating bill through the roofalong with the heated air that continues to be displaced. Measure 2 inches in from the side of the plywood and mark the point. When I wasnt using my fireplace the flueblocker worked well and is more budget-friendly than some other options. You can cover the foam with a cozy blanket or fun fabric to match your decor. BY PHONE: If you prefer, you can give us a call to order by phone - 215-817-8229. Magnetic Fireplace Vent Covers | Fireplace Draft Stopper | Fireplace A chimney cap is an air-tight, removable cover used to seal the chimney flue opening. ; Product Usage: The magnetic fireplace draft cover works to eliminate weather drafts Suitable season: The Magnetic Fireplace Draft Stopper is suitable for winter and summer.In winter, keep unwanted cold air out of your home to prevent heat loss.In summer, this fireplace vent cover can be used to keep hot and humid air out. 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. By properly using a damper, covering the fireplace, or installing a chimney balloon, you can keep the heat in and the cold out! Installing a fireplace cover/fireplace screen door on the fireplace opening helps prevent warm air from escaping out of the house. As much as it bugs me to say, some chimneys cant be saved. Cut two-inch foam to the shape of the opening; subtract about an 1/8- to 1/4-inch around all sides to leave room for wrapping with material. Vertically position one of the 2x4s just inside the 2-inch mark and attach it to the plywood using a power drill and screws. The US Department of Energy notes that the typical American homeowner incurs as much as $275 in annual energy expenses due to air leaks through unsealed masonry fireplaces. So, there's lots of different types of dampers. Solution : By comparing the given equation with general - naturium.pl An air-tight, adjustable cover helps improve fireplace efficiency while saving you money that would otherwise go up in smoke! I researched the causes and solutions of fireplace drafts thoroughly before choosing an option that I knew would work best for my needs, and I wanted to share that information. This is meant as a permanent solution, rather than something I might want to remove and put back occasionally. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Well thank you Claire! I seriously love a nice cozy fire, but down here in Texas its a small window of opportunity on the wood burning situation. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This fire-resistant, carbon fiber hearth cover is designed to attach to your metal screen via strong magnets. Time to assemble the sandwich. You can then tighten the thumbscrew using a pair of pliers. Remove the plastic tube so it doesnt hang down in your fireplace. 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 . This is because a chimney will normally draw air up it. Do I need to make it a tight enough fit inside the fireplace opening so that the foam bumper keeps it from moving? Because, a lot of the heated air in our houses finds its way outside thru our chimneys! Even if youve addressed the issues above a fireplace can still be drafty. Custom perfection. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Minor modifications done at no extra charge. We are almost literally burning our money in our fireplaces! Chimney balloons can be purchased from online retailers. You canreadmore about affiliate links here.). These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. The open bottom hem will allow a 18 inch metal rod or wooden dowel to be inserted if desired for extra. 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. DIY Fireplace Cover Tutorial | eHow How to Cover a Fireplace Hole [Temporary + DIY Covers], How to Turn on Gas Fireplace with Wall Switch, How to Turn on Gas Fireplace With Wall Key 5 Easy Steps, Gas Fireplace Wall Switch Not Working Fixes + Troubleshooting, Effective Strategies for Keeping Cats off Outdoor Furniture. Fireplace Draft Stopper Cover 36\ X 4\ Fireplace Cover Fireplace Draft Lay the pegboard on top of the excess foam insulation and set the saw blade depth just below the pegboard. Fireplace draft guard cover. I have lots of DIY home improvement videos. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. All Flue-zees are shipped separately for a fee of $15.95 each to addresses in the U.S.A. Heat loss up a chimney can be as much as 73%. Apply the double-stick tape that came with the bumper to the sides of the frame. 8 Ways to Follow on How to Make a Fireplace Hearth Cover. 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. Mark the cut lines on your pegboard material. Save on Heating Costs With Our Fireplace Draft Guard - YouTube Of course if your fireplace is all straight lines this will be a slightly easier process. (Ive includedaffiliate links for your convenience. Standard chimney caps are cheaper and only seal the flue opening. Home House & Components Parts of House Fireplace. 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. Secure both the lintel clamps and floor brackets using the four screws that youd earlier removed. 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. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 67,365 times. The pegboard should be loose, but allow the edge bumper to compress against the sides for a snug fit. Cover an outdated brick fireplace with contemporary tile. 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. eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Cut insulation to size. Again, thanks for sharing your project it inspired me to move my lazy buns and do something useful : ). Is using a rubbish/bin bag full of newspaper balls stuffed up a non-working fireplace an adequate way of preventing heat loss from a room? I have a mantle that is well caulked on the inside against the fireplace wall. Its, therefore, crucial to seal/block a fireplace opening if its not currently in use. Build a Fireplace Insert Draft Stopper - Pretty Handy Girl This Fireplace Insert Draft Stopper looks good year-round. That was kinda my goal without having to find, cut and pay for old tiles! Then lay the rigid foam on top of the pegboard. When there's a fire, cold air entering through the chimney can cause a downdraft and make it difficult to keep the fire burning. This base coat needs to dry completely approximately 12 hours. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. A fireplace is a huge source of drafts from the cold outdoors. Heat loss up a chimney can be as much as 73%. This can lead to high energy bills as you spend more energy to heat up your home. A fireplace door reflects the drafty air and ensures combustion byproducts do not enter your house. :)***Welcome to my channel. I hope that helps!? My damper was not working correctly, so I had to replace mine. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Fireplace magnetic draft cover. You now have a no-fuss, faux fireplace. Sand down smooth once dry. To do this, measure the length and width of your fireplace hearth. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Writing about practical steps we can all take to reduce our impact on the environment. "Your article is very informative and hopefully I'll find installing the balloon quite straightforward.". And the insert is easily removed to enjoy a warm fire. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin.