Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Want more ways to save on energy bills and prepare for winter? DIY Draft Stopper for Your Fireplace - Genius! - Bob Vila Now add houseplants, bookshelves or completely brick-over the space. 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. If you need to make the balloon fit better, push the corners of the balloon up into the chimney with your fingers. Feel free to add a handle or decorative pull to the front of your insert. Finish off your fireplace hole cover installation project by hand-adjusting the clamps that secure the lintel bar to the hearth. Available in dimensions of up to 43-inches wide and 32.5-inches high, this fireplace glass door is large enough to cover all standard-sized fireplaces. 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. I found that one of the reasons I might have a draft coming from my fireplace was if the flue was blocked. 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. It wipes clean with a damp cloth and will last for years. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. 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. Next, close the damper, insert insulation into the flue and secure it. In this video, I make a DIY fireplace cover to stop losing valuable heated air! Thank you for all your lovely emails, very inspiring, take care, Rosie. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Remove the plastic tube so it doesnt hang down in your fireplace. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. I seriously love a nice cozy fire, but down here in Texas its a small window of opportunity on the wood burning situation. "Your article is very informative and hopefully I'll find installing the balloon quite straightforward.". Sanded and stained in richer tones, the branches take on the look of freshly chopped logs. A damper is a permanent fixture and can be manually opened and closed between fires to help stop a fireplace draft. I learned that the fireplace damper should always be open when you are using the fireplace. Cover an outdated brick fireplace with contemporary tile. If you have a brick, wood-burning fireplace in your home, consider investing in a fireplace blanket. Any suggestions? No one likes a drafty fireplace; for me, it was a real issue until I researched the causes and discovered a few quick and easy solutions. Theres a wide range of unused materials around the house that you can use to create a fireplace cover by yourself. As much as it bugs me to say, some chimneys cant be saved. That being said, the best temporary cover for a fireplace opening is a screen door/glass door. 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.. 40 in. L Black 3-Panel Steel Draft Guard Cover - The Home Depot Cut the next side and notch out where there are any overlaps. Blocking a fireplace opening can either be a DIY job, or you can call in the professionals. A damper should be your go-to draft stopper if your fireplace has one. Simply place the Draft Guard in front of your metal fireplace opening when it is not in use to keep warm air from escaping your home and cool air from entering your heated living space. 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. How To Increase Chimney Draft. WOW! 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 . 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. Amazon.com: Fireplace Draft Guard Cover Gently slide the fireplace cover into the opening in your fireplace. Here are some solutions I found:-. A fireplace is a huge source of drafts from the cold outdoors. I love this! I have lots of DIY home improvement videos. I measured from the inside of the mantel, side to side and the bottom to the top inside edge as well. Once you find the measurements, make sure you buy a guard that is at least the size of the opening. 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. In my case I subtracted .5 inches but .75 or even one would have been a bit better.- Cut the insulation board on a cutting board of some kind, piece of plywood, etc.- Confirm the cut insulation board fits in the hole, sanity check on your measurements.- Clean up any insulation scraps with vacuum, get rid of cutting board.- Lay out blanket, ideally squarish, that is at least a few inches wider (in its shortest dimension) than the insulation board's diagonal.- Lay the insulation board shiny side down. Circular saw (optional) Step 1 Measure the height and width of your fireplace opening and ask your hardware store to cut a sheet of plywood to the exact dimensions. One of the best ways to close off drafty airflow from your fireplace, especially when it wont be used for a while, is to create a decorative and removable cover that you can pop in and out. Wait till you see how to make a DIY rust fireplace cover out of simple materials. Nail each blanket corner to the back. Most types of chimney balloon will allow a small amount of air to vent around them to keep a small amount of airflow. Blocking this cold air at the bottom vent and the top vent with our Magnetic Fireplace Vent Covers will stop this cold air. Thank you! 1. Measure 2 inches in from the side of the plywood and mark the point. The main reason I had a cold air draft issue with my fireplace was that my home had poor airflow. Do I need to make it a tight enough fit inside the fireplace opening so that the foam bumper keeps it from moving? You will want to play with it to get the desired finish you like. They are best used after youve had a fire burning o that only the embers remain. Learn how your comment data is processed. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. This particular solution is perfect for those who have an open hearth fireplace. Writing about practical steps we can all take to reduce our impact on the environment. The glass screen will heat up and help radiate heat from the fire. A piece of wrapping paper works perfect to create a pattern. Even with the damper closed, there is a draft that escapes into the room. Winter is coming, help a friend stop drafts too by pinning this image! If I could do my project again I would cut the baseboard smaller mine is a tight fit. Fireplace Chimney . Place the balloon back into the chimney so it fits firmly. Draft guards are sold in hardware stores or online. Cut the pegboard to size. (Pssst. well as help cut the energy bills for heating your home. 1. Best Temporary Fireplace Covers Fireplace Blocker firebox blanket One of the best ideas I discovered was to install glass doors in front of the fireplace. By being included in our newsletter delivery, you consent to receive new post updates and occasional promotional emails related to the Salvaged Living family. 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. You will need to have your chimney inspected if you think you might have this issue. Lay each piece inside the frame and use the speed square to scribe a line where you need to cut. 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 . There could be a mechanical damper right above the firebox. 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. Heath inserts are combustion systems that improve the energy efficiency of fireplaces. 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. Its snug fit ensures that thisDIY draft stopper stands in the fireplace and effectively plugs any potential air leaks. When the fireplace is off, however, you may experience the cold air coming through the chimney and stealing the warmth out of your home. Today Ill show you how to build a fireplace insert draft stopper! 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. Hunter Rising is a wikiHow Staff Writer based in Los Angeles. (If you dont own a rip cut or track saw, you can make your own DIY Track Saw for your circular saw here!). Another option would be to buy foam insulation and wrap it with fabric and batting and simply fit it in the fireplace opening. Thus, to completely keep cold air outside and hot air inside the house, we recommend covering these vents using a fireplace vent cover. Be sure to check and see if your base piece fits into your fireplace opening at this point and alter if necessary. It does not store any personal data. This is meant as a permanent solution, rather than something I might want to remove and put back occasionally. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Apply the double-stick tape that came with the bumper to the sides of the frame. I also used velcro strips to hold it in place. Clamp the corners (use a square to maintain true 90 degree angles) and drive the pocket screws into place. This year I decided to tackle the problem by investigating how to stop the cold air draft with a fireplace draft cover. 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. Measure and Cut Your Fabric Measure the body pillow length and width then double it. The problem is they arent very attractive to look at so might only be useful for a cabin. You can always add more but not take it away! Use a liberal amount of construction adhesive on the back of the reclaimed lumber frame. 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. 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. Installing a magnetic fireplace vent cover over those vents is a smart solution that stops cold air dead in its tracks. It should be inset on the sides and top to allow room for the bumper (as shown in the photo below.). All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Hunter holds a BFA in Entertainment Design from the University of Wisconsin - Stout and a Minor in English Writing. Using an inflatable rectangular flameproof pillow as a fireplace draft stopper. Drafts guard cover: keep drafts away from an unused fireplace with this draft guard covers that are placed to close the fireplace opening; Black powder finish: made of steel with black powder coated finish; Magnets included: magnets are included for affixing to the hearth face; Dimensions: measures 40 in. This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Well thank you Claire! Flue sealers are usually installed underneath the damper to keep out cold drafts and keep in hot air. Meanwhile, the bifold doors allow for easy closure to prevent air leaks when the hearth is not in use. FREE delivery Mon, Mar 6 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon. Draft Decor - Fireplace Flue Cover I used a 1/4 plywood piece as the base. If youve never made mitered corners practice on some scrap wood, but it is just a 45 angle cut. It actually works to rust wood, metal, masonry, painted surfaces and plaster. My only regret is not making it sooner. I may rust something! You are exceedingly talented!! A fabric draft stopper is a rectangular tube that features pliable construction and is designed to close off gaps at the base of fireplace doors and screens. Apply Oxidizing Iron Paint over entire surface with the other brush from your kit. This is the beginning of the coldest season of the year and chimney draftiness is more likely to occur. Gas Fireplace Draft Cover - Wayfair Canada After some digging, I found these reasons for a fireplace draft. The open bottom hem will allow a 18 inch metal rod or wooden dowel to be inserted if desired for extra. Watch this video for a simple and inexpensive solution. 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. 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. Leave the plywood laying flat on the floor as the glue dries overnight. I especially love the beads on it! Allow to dry 5 minutes or so and then lightly spray again. DIY Fireplace Cover! DO This to STOP Losing MONEY - YouTube 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. 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. Home House & Components Parts of House Fireplace. Dry fit each piece and continue until youve filled the frame. I have a similar brick-face fireplace and was about to do a similar cover using the rubber edge or bumper. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. If the liner is not lined up properly or in the right size, it will cause a cold air draft from the fireplace. Fireplace Draft Stoppers & Excluders (A Complete Guide) Be careful operating any metal cords or levers after a fire is lit. Magnetic Fireplace Draft Stopper - 2pcs Fireplace Vent Covers, Screen Its beautiful as well as decorative and Ill make another for when I tire of this one. Why Open Fireplaces Can Be Drafty (And How To Fix) - Fireplace Universe A removable fireplace draft stopper is one possible solution. Next, install the lead anchors for the screws into the holes using a hammer. Arrange varying sizes of log slices on the plywood until you have your desired pattern. Fill in the wood bead holes and mitered corner edges with wood filler. A good quality fireplace blanket will effectively keep hot air in while simultaneously stopping downward cold drafts. If you still have cold drafts leaking into your home even when the flue damper is closed, it could be that its too worn out. Few people know that when you upgrade your fireplace you may also need to upgrade your chimney or flue liner. This fire-resistant, carbon fiber hearth cover is designed to attach to your metal screen via strong magnets. Stick it on the side of your refrigerator to keep the magnet smooth. If you are looking to cover-up your fireplace area, then this is the video for you! Please only use one picture with a link back unless individual permission is given otherwise by Salvaged Living. You can then tighten the thumbscrew using a pair of pliers. Firmly secure the bumper to the sides of the frame with a staple gun. Open fireplaces help to remove byproducts from a fire from your home without any assistance needed from you. Other options are fireplace vent covers or adding glass doors to the fireplace to stop drafts from coming through. Its, therefore, crucial to seal/block a fireplace opening if its not currently in use. Although different, each serves the same purpose. Free delivery for many products. 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