how to make a fireplace draft cover how to make a fireplace draft cover

The best solution, in this case, is to replace the damper with a new, effective one. Fireplace blankets are made of thick insulating fire-resistant material. Hunter holds a BFA in Entertainment Design from the University of Wisconsin - Stout and a Minor in English Writing. How to Make A Burlap Carrot Door Hanger. Use pliers or an oven mitt to prevent any burns. Winter is coming, help a friend stop drafts too by pinning this image! Easy DIY home decor and craft projects for budget home decor. Cut the next side and notch out where there are any overlaps. 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. Stick it on the side of your refrigerator to keep the magnet smooth. Copyright 2023 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Thanks for sharing this, Kim. The process is super easy, but does take some time because of the dry time involved in the steps. 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. A damper is a permanent fixture and can be manually opened and closed between fires to help stop a fireplace draft. 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. Gently slide the fireplace cover into the opening in your fireplace. I used a hammer at first but you can just push them in probably.- Before insertion I had to chisel off some jagged edges from the masonry. A house must have enough airflow if you dont want your fireplace to have a draft. Then lay the rigid foam on top of the pegboard. Its snug fit ensures that thisDIY draft stopper stands in the fireplace and effectively plugs any potential air leaks. There are many ways to cover a fireplace to prevent a draft from coming in, and I researched a few to find one that would work best for my fireplace. 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. This article has been viewed 67,365 times. Use insulating flameproof foam board by cutting out the correct shape, then pressing it in place under the damper. Mila is passionate about living sustainability and encouraging others to do the same. 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. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Flip the frame over and double secure the frame to the pegboard with finish nails. Cut the foam bumper for the first side and press it onto the double-stick tape. 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. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. Once your lead anchors are in place, its now time to insulate the door to prevent smoke leaks. We recommend our users to update the browser. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 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). Feel free to add a handle or decorative pull to the front of your insert. Even with the damper closed, there is a draft that escapes into the room. Heat loss up a chimney can be as much as 73%. We may earn commission through affiliate links on this page at no additional cost to you. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. You can ask a Lowes employee to cut down the rigid foam insulation for you so you can fit it in your car. So, how do you temporarily cover a fireplace hole? Lots of ways to improve chimney draw exist. Finish off your fireplace hole cover installation project by hand-adjusting the clamps that secure the lintel bar to the hearth. You may need to sand it down in a few places if it's too snug to slide in and out of the opening. 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. Time to assemble the sandwich. 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 used foam board covered with fabric as well as batting that I spray glued to the foam board. Stopping this cold convection will give you a lot of relief. You can always add more but not take it away! 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. Notes: I chose pegboard because it was slightly cheaper and weighed less than the masonite but was still rigid enough to hold the reclaimed wood. Place the balloon back into the chimney so it fits firmly. They attach over the front of a fireplace usually with magnets. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Once you have the right product you can make all new things look vintage and yummy! This base coat needs to dry completely approximately 12 hours. Chimney balloons can be purchased from online retailers. Its not hard and you can complete it in an afternoon! Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Fireplace Draft Stopper Cover 36\\ X 4\\ Fireplace Cover Fireplace Draft Stopper at the best online prices at eBay! Fireplace doors come in a variety of designs, and can either be temporary or permanent. Im a little bit of a fanatic when it comes to drafts. When we bought a house with a built-in fireplace in the mid-1990s, we looked forward to using wood to reduce the cost of heating . A damper should be your go-to draft stopper if your fireplace has one. Learn to grow a creative business with Kim from Salvaged Living! Yes, the wood insert needs to be built custom to the size of your fireplace opening. This type of hearth covering boasts fireproof construction and uses magnetic technology to attach to the metal screen of the fireplace. Try not to overspray or pool the liquid. That's another way to kind of slow down the drafts. The 2x4s will act as "legs" to keep the plywood upright. This. Heath inserts are combustion systems that improve the energy efficiency of fireplaces. Want to build your own fireplace insert draft stopper? We can make any size to fit your needs. Kim Jones and Salvaged Living, 2019. L x 32 in. Now add houseplants, bookshelves or completely brick-over the space. Meanwhile, some inserts feature blowers that drive warm air back into the house via the front vents. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. It takes at least 30 to 40 minutes to activate and see the rust change take place. Genius! Do you leave logs in the fire even when you know youre not gonna burn them? Learn how your comment data is processed. Leave the plywood laying flat on the floor as the glue dries overnight. I may rust something! Its the best! Make Me Sustainable is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com. Doesn't have to be super secure, just pinning it in place til we stuff it in. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. I liked how it worked and it was a good option if you dont have a table saw or track saw. It was surprising to find how much heat loss a drafty chimney can account for. If the liner is not lined up properly or in the right size, it will cause a cold air draft from the fireplace. This worked perfect, I feel no air. We lose a lot of heated air thru our fireplaces! Then, tighten the screws using a wrench tool. Lightly spray the entire surface with Metal Effect Rust Activator. 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! To effectively seal off your flue opening, you can install a polyurethane chimney balloon sealer or a silicone rubber flue pipe sealer. Dry fit each piece and continue until youve filled the frame. This kit comes with everything you need to rust anything! 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. As much as it bugs me to say, some chimneys cant be saved. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The damper helps the air to flow properly, and if the damper is closed or not working, it wont just cause a cold air draft, but your home will fill with smoke and carbon monoxide. As temperatures dip, nothing feels better than thick fleece socks and a seat next to the fire. Allow the concrete to dry for at least 24 hours, then apply a second coat of latex-infused thinset. Cut the paper and then try the pattern in the space. Carefully punch it in. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. You now have a no-fuss, faux fireplace. These include opening up windows or air vents, sweeping the chimney, using a fireplace grate, pushing combustion further back, as well as leaving glass doors open before every fire. 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. Thats why it makes financial sense to block your fireplace opening if you dont intend to use the hearth for the foreseeable future. An air-tight, adjustable cover helps improve fireplace efficiency while saving you money that would otherwise go up in smoke! Decide the Size of Your Fireplace Hearth Cover. The best way to find out if a fireplace blanket will work for you is to try it out and see. All Flue-zees are shipped separately for a fee of $15.95 each to addresses in the U.S.A. Hello would you possibly make this and sell one? I purchased pre-cut wood slices from the craft store for this project, but you'll definitely save some money if you have a circular saw and cut your own slices from branches and logs found outside. Seal out the cool air and critters with a chic fireplace cover that looks as if you have a perfectly stacked set of logs. 1 x 4 cedar boards worked well for the frame. 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. You can cover the foam with a cozy blanket or fun fabric to match your decor. Once you find the measurements, make sure you buy a guard that is at least the size of the opening. 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. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). There could be a flue damper up towards the top of the flue. I hope that helps!? Also if you notice that smoke or fumes are present in the room this is another sign of p[oor airflow. Mark the cut lines on your pegboard material. This Fireplace Insert Draft Stopper looks good year-round. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Angel, there are some slight gaps not filled in by the bumpers, but most have been completely stopped by the draft stopper. Toni DeBella is a culture and lifestyle writer, reviews expert and DIY enthusiast covering everything from pests to painting to pool cabanas. This is a necessary step because with repeated removal of the insert, the bumper will eventually come off. All covers are made to your measurements. 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. 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 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. Electric and gas inserts are also incredibly easy to operate. 2. Finish off your fireplace hole cover installation project by hand-adjusting the clamps that secure the lintel bar to the hearth. Please consider subscribing to get more contents like this on a weekly basis. You can then tighten the thumbscrew using a pair of pliers. 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. 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. Fireplaces add a lovely layer of warmth and coziness to your home. Fill in the wood bead holes and mitered corner edges with wood filler. Hello Kim, I love your project, the rust effect is amazing. Here are 21 Ways to Get Your Home Ready for Winter. You can see that our bricks are faux painted in this picture. 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. I was lucky, I found solutions that worked for me, but if your chimney is barely working, skewed, and parts are falling off, getting a new one is best. No. 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. They even block smoke. 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. Its, therefore, crucial to seal/block a fireplace opening if its not currently in use. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Stopping a fireplace draft is not difficult. Firmly secure the bumper to the sides of the frame with a staple gun. 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. 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. Kim, this is amazing!! These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Excellent diy, and thanks for sharing. This is the beginning of the coldest season of the year and chimney draftiness is more likely to occur. Finally, adding the reclaimed lumber is not necessary, I just like the look. Lay each piece inside the frame and use the speed square to scribe a line where you need to cut. Wait till you see how to make a DIY rust fireplace cover out of simple materials. What Can You Use To Insulate A Fireplace? 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. I especially love the beads on it! Any time you want to use your fireplace, simply pull the cover out of the opening and slide it to the side. This rusty fireplace insert is a perfect draft stopper and makes your fireplace look gorgeous long after the winter fire burning months have passed. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. 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. Of course if your fireplace is all straight lines this will be a slightly easier process. Apply insulation batt or spray foam within the framing of the wall up to the ceiling or roof line. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. You want to make sure you cut your wood pieces slightly smaller that the actual fireplace opening. It sends chills up my spine each time. Installing a fireplace cover/fireplace screen door on the fireplace opening helps prevent warm air from escaping out of the house. Silicone fireplace sealers- on the other hand- feature durable construction and can last for up to 20 years. 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. Finally, you want a cover that you can easily uninstall whenever you want to use the fireplace again. Once you're satisfied with the arrangement of log slices, glue each one into place with wood glue. []. 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. Or you could just put glass doors on the fireplace. By Manasa Reddigari Updated May 25, 2021 6:47 PM. Use a liberal amount of construction adhesive on the back of the reclaimed lumber frame. The main reason I had a cold air draft issue with my fireplace was that my home had poor airflow. 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. Allow to dry 5 minutes or so and then lightly spray again. Advertisement Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse Tip Be careful operating any metal cords or levers after a fire is lit. You can then tighten the thumbscrew using a pair of pliers. Step 4. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. As the hot air generated by a fire rises up the chimney it pulls more air behind it. Home House & Components Parts of House Fireplace. (If you dont own a rip cut or track saw, you can make your own DIY Track Saw for your circular saw here!). Therefore, blocking the opening with bricks is not an option. Cut the pegboard to size. Next, close the damper, insert insulation into the flue and secure it. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Although different, each serves the same purpose. Not only does the glass stop cold air from entering the room, but it also provides a safety barrier for children and pets. Fireplace plugs (a.k.a. As a bonus, it also eliminates that big gaping black hole in the living room. Firmly secure the bumper to the sides of the frame with a staple gun. You can build a brick-and-mortar one or have a gas one installed. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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. Seal your fireplace insert with the Metal Effects Sealer if you want to make sure you dont get rust on anything! Besides guarding against rainwater and pesky wildlife entering your home through the chimney opening, adding a spring-loaded or lock-top chimney cap eliminates blustering downdrafts. My fireplace is not set in that deep. Last Updated: October 21, 2021 Using the same dimensions as the pegboard, cut your frame pieces (miter cut the corners for a clean look). Few people know that when you upgrade your fireplace you may also need to upgrade your chimney or flue liner. 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 open bottom hem will allow a 18 inch metal rod or wooden dowel to be inserted if desired for extra. What could I use besides rigid insulation? Your fireplace screened turned out beautifully! Check the fit of the cut pegboard with the edge bumper inside 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. I have a similar brick-face fireplace and was about to do a similar cover using the rubber edge or bumper. 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. :)***Welcome to my channel. If youve never made mitered corners practice on some scrap wood, but it is just a 45 angle cut. Hunter Rising is a wikiHow Staff Writer based in Los Angeles. Thank you for all your lovely emails, very inspiring, take care, Rosie. Cut insulation to size. Once the fireplace is cool again, place the guard over the hole. H Next, close the damper, insert insulation into the flue and secure it. Fireplace draft guard cover. Apply the double-stick tape that came with the bumper to the sides of the frame. The lack of need for a warm fire leaves me with the burning questionwhat to do with my fireplace the other 10 months of the year? This year I decided to tackle the problem by investigating how to stop the cold air draft with a fireplace draft cover. You can then place the blanket over the fire while it cools to prevent cold air from coming into the room. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Blocking this cold air at the bottom vent and the top vent with our Magnetic Fireplace Vent Covers will stop this cold air. This is the side that will be facing out. Follow the wallpaper instructions for application. I really am in love with this project, you should absolutely rust something!!! How To Clean Reusable Straws The Easy Way, Most Energy Efficient Dishwasher Buyers Guide 2023. We made something similar to this and it periodically falls forward. Enjoy! Here's how I made our fireplace draft stopper. 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. You probably have a damper already. Although this is a older post I had a few ideas about the insert. Standard chimney caps are cheaper and only seal the flue opening. To help clear the air in your home, open a few windows. (Pssst. How to Clean Inside Dimplex Electric Fireplace. I put magnets on mine to hold it in place. We are almost literally burning our money in our fireplaces! % of people told us that this article helped them. Use a tape measure so you can determine what size draft guard you need. Theres a wide range of unused materials around the house that you can use to create a fireplace cover by yourself. I measured from the inside of the mantel, side to side and the bottom to the top inside edge as well. These include fiberglass insulation, a screwdriver, a power drill, a hammer, clamps, pliers, protective gloves, wrench tools, and sockets. Want to make sure you don't break the board with an errant karate chop.- Take some thin foam insulation tubing and stuff up any remaining small gaps. *** Measure the height and width of your fireplace opening and ask your hardware store to cut a sheet of plywood to the exact dimensions. CADARA Fireplace Blocker Blanket Stops Overnight Heat Loss, Fireplace Draft Stopper Save Energy, Fireplace Cover Black (Small 39" W x 32" H) Magnetic Vent Cover for Fireplace, Draft Stoppers, Black Magnet Sheets for Fireplace Vents - Black 2 PCs Each 4.75" x 37" Thickness: 30 mils - Insulation and Draft Protection Keep Cold Air Out 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. I promise you cant even tell this fireplace cover is made from new materials! 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. Flehomo Fireplace Cover to Block Draft from Fireplace Vent . 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. I didnt have the right fireplace, so I could not use this method. This fireplace cover is super easy to make on your own and the perfect addition.