It sends chills up my spine each time. A good quality fireplace blanket will effectively keep hot air in while simultaneously stopping downward cold drafts. 1. DIY Draft Stopper for Your Fireplace - Genius! - Bob Vila My only regret is not making it sooner. Arrange varying sizes of log slices on the plywood until you have your desired pattern. Will Cleaning My Chimney Help Stop Cold Drafts? Once you have the right product you can make all new things look vintage and yummy! The problem is they arent very attractive to look at so might only be useful for a cabin. I was determined to search for all the information I needed to stop cold air drafts from bugging me in the winter. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Mila is passionate about living sustainability and encouraging others to do the same. I promise you cant even tell this fireplace cover is made from new materials! how I painted my fireplace back to brick without sand-blasting, make your own DIY Track Saw for your circular saw here, 21 Ways to Get Your Home Ready for Winter, Fireplace Cover Plate 2017 : Fireplace Ideas 2017, Gorgeous Diy Fireplace Cover 2017 : Fireplace Ideas 2017, How to Use a Kreg Jig - Pretty Handy Girl, 13s, 14s, 16s or other reclaimed lumber. 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. That being said, the best temporary cover for a fireplace opening is a screen door/glass door. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. DIY Fireplace Cover Tutorial | eHow Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. ): I hope it inspires you to make a custom fireplace cover that is full of rusty heaven! The best way to find out if a fireplace blanket will work for you is to try it out and see. Some of the best options besides buying a fireplace plug include: However you decide to insulate your fireplace you should make sure that the material is flame retardant or flameproof. Therefore, blocking the opening with bricks is not an option. Stopping this cold convection will give you a lot of relief. When there's a fire, cold air entering through the chimney can cause a downdraft and make it difficult to keep the fire burning. 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. They attach over the front of a fireplace usually with magnets. These include fiberglass insulation, a screwdriver, a power drill, a hammer, clamps, pliers, protective gloves, wrench tools, and sockets. Fireplaces add a lovely layer of warmth and coziness to your home. I seriously love a nice cozy fire, but down here in Texas its a small window of opportunity on the wood burning situation. This. Like all draft king chimney covers, the outside mounting design provides maximum free air space and better draft while the attractive powder coat finish helps it stand up to the elements. And the insert is easily removed to enjoy a warm fire. Stopping a fireplace draft is not difficult. All covers are made to your measurements. I used a 1/4 plywood piece as the base. This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer. Watch the video till the end to see how I customize the look of my fireplace cover!R-Tech Rigid insulation 1x4x8 from Home DepotFoil Tape https://amzn.to/3GcMwu2Vinyl Tape https://amzn.to/3maME5eSelf Sticking Wallpaper (the one I used) https://amzn.to/3CeVDIfSelf Sticking Wallpaper (my favorite) https://amzn.to/2Zm60vdMy Electric Fireplace Stove https://amzn.to/3Ef6in2 00:00 DIY Fireplace Cover01:05 What can be done to stop losing heat thru chimney01:30 Making the Fireplace Cover02:20 My Electric Fireplace03:48 Making the handles for the Fireplace Cover04:34 Customizing the look of the Fireplace CoverThank you for visiting my channel and I hope you found the content useful! How To Make A Fireplace Draft Cover - fireplacenow.co Fireplace Cover to Keep Cold Air Out - Fireplace Draft Stopper Even if youve addressed the issues above a fireplace can still be drafty. You now have a no-fuss, faux fireplace. Please only use one picture with a link back unless individual permission is given otherwise by Salvaged Living. This is meant as a permanent solution, rather than something I might want to remove and put back occasionally. All you have to do to turn them on is push a button. This can make a big impact on our own comfort and home's energy bill as well. Modern Masters Metal Effect Rust Kit You can get this kit in the following places (click to purchase online! 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. How do you think of these things?!?! One of the best ideas I discovered was to install glass doors in front of the fireplace. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Theres a wide range of unused materials around the house that you can use to create a fireplace cover by yourself. The anchors should be level with the brick surface. This particular solution is perfect for those who have an open hearth fireplace. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Clamp the corners (use a square to maintain true 90 degree angles) and drive the pocket screws into place. Stick it on the side of your refrigerator to keep the magnet smooth. From here, he puzzle-pieced and glued the wood rounds onto a painted-black plywood sheet cut to the exact dimensions of his fireplace opening. We are almost literally burning our money in our fireplaces! Cut the pegboard to size. H You can cover the foam with a cozy blanket or fun fabric to match your decor. A chimney can act as a wind tunnel even when the damper is closed, sucking cold air down into your home through the fireplace opening. He informed me that using a chimney cap worked to keep cold drafts out of his fireplace. You can ask a Lowes employee to cut down the rigid foam insulation for you so you can fit it in your car. I have a mantle that is well caulked on the inside against the fireplace wall. To do this, measure the length and width of your fireplace hearth. Few people know that when you upgrade your fireplace you may also need to upgrade your chimney or flue liner. To effectively seal off your flue opening, you can install a polyurethane chimney balloon sealer or a silicone rubber flue pipe sealer. Hunter holds a BFA in Entertainment Design from the University of Wisconsin - Stout and a Minor in English Writing. 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. But, between uses, an empty and open fireplace lets cold air sneak in through the chimney (not to mention comes across as a bit of an eyesore). Wait till you see how to make a DIY rust fireplace cover out of simple materials. The first step is to determine how large you want your fireplace hearth cover to be. What Can You Use To Insulate A Fireplace? Enjoy! I opted to have my chimney swept, replace my chimney cap, and use a fireplace draft stopper when I am not using my fireplace. BY PHONE: If you prefer, you can give us a call to order by phone - 215-817-8229. 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. Finish off your fireplace hole cover installation project by hand-adjusting the clamps that secure the lintel bar to the hearth. You will want to play with it to get the desired finish you like. If you find less of a draft, you know you need to allow better airflow in your home. Measure the height and width of your fireplace opening and ask your hardware store to cut a sheet of plywood to the exact dimensions. I chose to use the Kreg Rip Cut because I was anxious to try it out. The 2x4s will act as "legs" to keep the plywood upright. Improve your fireboxs energy efficiency with the Tiffany fireplace screen from ARTZONE. They are best used after youve had a fire burning o that only the embers remain. Basic steps here:- Buy thick insulation board.- Measure fireplace hole size.- Subtract between .5 inches and one inch from your measurement so you have room for error, since the hole probably isn't perfectly square, and to account for the blanket wrap. This Fireplace Insert Draft Stopper looks good year-round. How To Install Fireplace Draftstopper - YouTube Allow the concrete to dry for at least 24 hours, then apply a second coat of latex-infused thinset. Also if you notice that smoke or fumes are present in the room this is another sign of p[oor airflow. Easy Ways to Cover a Fireplace: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow Fireplace Chimney . 40 in. L Black 3-Panel Steel Draft Guard Cover - The Home Depot Galvanized steel draft king chimney cover is the durable and economic choice for chimneys in most regions. Meanwhile, the bifold doors allow for easy closure to prevent air leaks when the hearth is not in use. Amazon.com: Fireplace Draft Guard Cover Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Before deciding whether to purchase or hand-make a fireplace draft stopper, check out our list of the kinds of stoppers that are available. When the fireplace is off, however, you may experience the cold air coming through the chimney and stealing the warmth out of your home. Kim Jones and Salvaged Living, 2019. I checked my chimney cap/damper to ensure it worked properly. The fireplace should be covered across the front, inside the home. 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. Just follow these easy steps and you'll have one too. You may need to sand it down in a few places if it's too snug to slide in and out of the opening. You are exceedingly talented!! Press the paper into the curve or shape and use a sharpie to draw an outline of your fireplace. Fireplace magnetic draft cover. 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. Learn more Everyone likes to cozy up in front of a fireplace during the cold months. 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. This is at no extra cost to you. Use construction adhesive or wood glue to attach the trim to the base piece. To cover the fireplace, start by cleaning the chimney thoroughly and covering up the rooftop chimney cap. The look is unbelievable, its like a rusty piece of tin that was made to be in my living room fireplace. Allow first coat to dry and then use a second coat for complete coverage. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Thank you Karolyn I am really proud of how it turned out, it truly looks stunning in person and would fool anyone that it isnt an old piece of metal! Using a screwdriver, unfasten the screws at the back of the door. Measure the straight edges. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. I found that one of the reasons I might have a draft coming from my fireplace was if the flue was blocked. Doesn't have to be super secure, just pinning it in place til we stuff it in. Remember the time I weather-stripped my garage doors? You can build a brick-and-mortar one or have a gas one installed. Fireplace Draft Cover CUSTOM MADE (your fireplace dimensions) with inserted Magnets or Adhesive Fasteners; Felt cover insulation MYtrappings (692) $49.00 Bestseller More like this More colors CHILL OUT, Fireplace Draft Eliminator KadiBoutique (1,239) $63.00 Bestseller More like this More colors Heat loss up a chimney can be as much as 73%. While positioning the fireplace door against the hearth opening, mark out the spots where youll drill your screw holes for the floor brackets. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Any suggestions? To maximize the wood collected from the yard,he cut each into 2- to 3-inch-thick rounds using a bandsaw. Lots of ways to improve chimney draw exist. The three-panel fireplace screen door will not only ward off air leaks, but also improve your hearths visual aesthetics due to the detailed stained glass patterns. https://prettyhandygirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/fireplace-hearth-birch-logs-lit-leaves.jpg, https://prettyhandygirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PHG-logo-tagline-2020-1030x211-R.jpg, 11 Things You Should Always Do Before Hiring a Tree Service. The only thing that will work is a fireplace cover with insulation. 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! Using a decorative fitted fireplace cover. Lay the pegboard onto the reclaimed lumber and press firmly in place. 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 . How to Cover a Fireplace Hole [Temporary + DIY Covers] Don't miss out! Allow first coat to dry and then use a second coat for complete coverage. 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 article has been viewed 67,365 times. To help clear the air in your home, open a few windows. Check the width of the edge bumper (the one I used is 1/4 inch) and subtract that amount from three sides of the fireplace opening measurements. Use a jigsaw to cut the curved edge and a table saw for the straight edges. BY MAIL: If you'd like to order by mail with a check, please print our order form. Apply Oxidizing Iron Paint over entire surface with the other brush from your kit. I am a licensed general contractor and an interior designer. (Remember the time I weather-stripped my garage doors?) Flue sealers are usually installed underneath the damper to keep out cold drafts and keep in hot air. % of people told us that this article helped them. Draft Decor's magnetic fireplace vent cover is machine precision cut to size. You can see that our bricks are faux painted in this picture. Keep a reminder card or tie something to the handle of the balloon so you dont forget its there. If you do, I suggest using tempered glass doors in front of the fireplace as an effective way of keeping the cold air draft out of your home. Even with the damper closed, there is a draft that escapes into the room. 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. A damper is a permanent fixture and can be manually opened and closed between fires to help stop a fireplace draft. Use a Kreg Jig to make pocket holes in the corners. The truth is you can turn just about anything to rust, so dont limit the rust part to just this project. Chimney balloons can be reused as long as it holds air. Heath inserts are combustion systems that improve the energy efficiency of fireplaces. flue blockers, chimney pillows, draft stoppers and the trademarked Chimney Balloon) are an inexpensive way to choke off drafts when a fireplace is not in use. 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. Its one of the last options you should consider, but I need to mention it; sometimes, if all else has failed, the problem might be solved by investing a little money to build a new chimney. Remove the plastic tube so it doesnt hang down in your fireplace. Fireplace Draft Stopper - Cheap DIYNEW VIDEO Every WeekSteverd Links:TWITTER: https://twitter.com/stevesrealworldFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Steves-R. I have lots of DIY home improvement videos. It works to prevent drafty airflow when the chimney isnt in use. Fireplace draft guard cover. 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. Be careful operating any metal cords or levers after a fire is lit. Draft guards are sold in hardware stores or online. This is the side that will be facing out. An air-tight, adjustable cover helps improve fireplace efficiency while saving you money that would otherwise go up in smoke! You want to make sure you cut your wood pieces slightly smaller that the actual fireplace opening. Drafty Fireplace? 5 Easy Steps To Stop Chimney Drafts Yayyyy thanks Vicki I will be rusting some other things soon because I am completely enamored with this process so stay tuned! This is because a chimney will normally draw air up it. Most types of chimney balloon will allow a small amount of air to vent around them to keep a small amount of airflow. Secure both the lintel clamps and floor brackets using the four screws that youd earlier removed. Hi Rosemary I checked with the brand and the product is listed on the Amazon International site, but color selection may be more limited. Absolutely looks like an old piece of rusted metal! Regular chimney sweeps will help to eliminate this issue. DIY FIREPLACE COVER - Free DIY Tutorials - YouTube Some people find that they work great at stopping a cold air draft, while others find that they do not work at all. I would love to try this but as i live in England i dont know if i can buy it here, do you know if its available to buy here? Required fields are marked *. It effectively guards against cold air coming in and heat escaping into the atmosphere while youre fast asleep. Covering the Fireplace with a Draft Guard Download Article 1 Measure the width and height of the fireplace opening. Here are some solutions I found:-. Cut the foam bumper for the first side and press it onto the double-stick tape. 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. Paint the front of the plywood with a matte black paint and let dry. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Looking at your snug-fit test, I see the rubber fits very nicely on all corners but what prevents the air from seeping through the brick layers 1/8 inch gaps see the left and right side of the fireplace. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". If you want to rust all the things now, then check out my supply list for links to the products I used here! Why not seal off your fireplace permanently? 99 $26.99 $26.99. (If you dont own a rip cut or track saw, you can make your own DIY Track Saw for your circular saw here!). Copyright 2023 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. How To Clean Reusable Straws The Easy Way, Most Energy Efficient Dishwasher Buyers Guide 2023. 1. In this video, I make a DIY fireplace cover to stop losing valuable heated air! The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". This rusty fireplace insert is a perfect draft stopper and makes your fireplace look gorgeous long after the winter fire burning months have passed. Look through the trim selections and pick a style that goes with your decor. Dry fit each piece and continue until youve filled the frame. You can then place the blanket over the fire while it cools to prevent cold air from coming into the room. Fireplace Magnetic Draft Cover - fireplacenow.co The glass screen will heat up and help radiate heat from the fire. Keep the guard over your fireplace whenever you arent using it. Use a liberal amount of construction adhesive on the back of the reclaimed lumber frame. Try not to overspray or pool the liquid. 2. 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. No. Be sure to check and see if your base piece fits into your fireplace opening at this point and alter if necessary. Place the balloon back into the chimney so it fits firmly. If you are looking to cover-up your fireplace area, then this is the video for you! These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Meanwhile, custom-sized chimney caps are more expensive and are usually mounted outside the chimney to cover both the chimney crown and top. 8 Best Fireplace Draft Stoppers | The Family Handyman Use a circular saw to trim the door. 3 Ways to Block Drafts from a Fireplace - wikiHow A house must have enough airflow if you dont want your fireplace to have a draft. I used textured wallpaper to cover the base piece of wood. It will also act as a safety barrier for children and pets. Measure and Cut Your Fabric Measure the body pillow length and width then double it. 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. Excess build-up can cause a chimney fire. A damper should be your go-to draft stopper if your fireplace has one. You can also have your pegboard cut at Lowes if you know your measurements upfront. You will need to have your chimney inspected if you think you might have this issue. Chimney balloons can be purchased from online retailers. Fireplace plugs (a.k.a. I have a similar brick-face fireplace and was about to do a similar cover using the rubber edge or bumper. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. We recommend our users to update the browser. 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? Though this insert appears to be three-dimensional and about as deep as the fireplace, the draft stopper for mikeasaurushumble hearth is less than 4 inches thick, and only amounts to three large branches in total. Best Temporary Fireplace Covers Fireplace Blocker firebox blanket 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. Thanks for sharing this, Kim. 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. How to Make A Burlap Carrot Door Hanger. 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. Fireplace Draft Cover - How To Stop A Fireplace Draft Hello Kim, I love your project, the rust effect is amazing. This is the beginning of the coldest season of the year and chimney draftiness is more likely to occur. Now add houseplants, bookshelves or completely brick-over the space. Installing a fireplace cover/fireplace screen door on the fireplace opening helps prevent warm air from escaping out of the house. Sanded and stained in richer tones, the branches take on the look of freshly chopped logs. Magnetic Fireplace Draft Stopper - Fireplace Cover to Block Cold Air Using your ideas, Ill just keep it simple for now , Another option would be to buy foam insulation and wrap it with fabric and batting and simply fit it in the fireplace opening.. Hunter Rising is a wikiHow Staff Writer based in Los Angeles. Once air is accumulated inside the fireplace, air pressure will build-up and exits out through those gaps. However, they can also let in a cold draft and unwelcome pests from the outdoors. Finally, adding the reclaimed lumber is not necessary, I just like the look. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Salvaged Living with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
