how to make a fireplace draft cover

These types of fireplace draft stoppers also have the added benefit of preventing unwanted soot or wildlife from falling into the hearth. Dry fit each piece and continue until youve filled the frame. 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 it has a leak, replace the balloon. A damper is a permanent fixture and can be manually opened and closed between fires to help stop a fireplace draft. Learn how I painted my fireplace back to brick without sand-blasting!). I didnt have the right fireplace, so I could not use this method. For instance, that old barn door, plywood board, or stained glass window lying idly in your garage could work out just fine as a DIY hearth covering. You want to make sure you cut your wood pieces slightly smaller that the actual fireplace opening. Fireplace Draft Stopper - Cheap DIYNEW VIDEO Every WeekSteverd Links:TWITTER: https://twitter.com/stevesrealworldFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Steves-R. Cut a vertical support piece for inside the center of the frame and attach it with pocket hole joinery. Draft Decor's magnetic fireplace vent cover is machine precision cut to size. I seriously love a nice cozy fire, but down here in Texas its a small window of opportunity on the wood burning situation. Again spray lightly and add more if needed. Now add houseplants, bookshelves or completely brick-over the space. The best way to find out if a fireplace blanket will work for you is to try it out and see. But asInstructables maker mikeasaurus demonstrates, there is a third option: shutting out the cold with a few fallen branches and some simplescrap wood. As a bonus, it also eliminates that big gaping black hole in the living room. (Ive includedaffiliate links for your convenience. Sanded and stained in richer tones, the branches take on the look of freshly chopped logs.. I put magnets on mine to hold it in place. You can also have your pegboard cut at Lowes if you know your measurements upfront. 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? 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 Keep the guard over your fireplace whenever you arent using it. Get enough trim to finish out your straight edges. A damper should be your go-to draft stopper if your fireplace has one. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Cut your reclaimed lumber edges at 45 degree angles. The 2x4s will act as "legs" to keep the plywood upright. Measuring 28-inches high and 43.6-inches wide, this screen sheet does a great job at covering up your fireplace hole. This fireplace cover is super easy to make on your own and the perfect addition. Flip the frame over and double secure the frame to the pegboard with finish nails. 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. 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. This is at no extra cost to you. Use a jigsaw to cut the curved edge and a table saw for the straight edges. I have a mantle that is well caulked on the inside against the fireplace wall. Minor modifications done at no extra charge. Use a circular saw to trim the door. Subscribe Do you have drafts coming in to your home through your chimney when your fireplace is not in use? I used foam board covered with fabric as well as batting that I spray glued to the foam board. 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. 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. If youve never made mitered corners practice on some scrap wood, but it is just a 45 angle cut. Firmly secure the bumper to the sides of the frame with a staple gun. 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. Please only use one picture with a link back unless individual permission is given otherwise by Salvaged Living. As temperatures dip, nothing feels better than thick fleece socks and a seat next to the fire. [6] 2 Purchase a draft guard online or in store. 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. Cut the next side and notch out where there are any overlaps. I have a similar brick-face fireplace and was about to do a similar cover using the rubber edge or bumper. 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 . Press the paper into the curve or shape and use a sharpie to draw an outline of your fireplace. If you are looking to cover-up your fireplace area, then this is the video for you! Allow the concrete to dry for at least 24 hours, then apply a second coat of latex-infused thinset. FREE delivery Mon, Mar 6 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon. You may need to tweak it and cut away some more until a good pattern emerges. This continuous process of air moving up a chimney is known as the draft. Few people know that when you upgrade your fireplace you may also need to upgrade your chimney or flue liner. Draft guards are sold in hardware stores or online. It measures 32-inches high and 42-inches wide, thus will effectively cover the opening of a standard-sized firebox. Today Ill show you how to build a fireplace insert draft stopper! Yes, the wood insert needs to be built custom to the size of your fireplace opening. Arrange varying sizes of log slices on the plywood until you have your desired pattern. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It looks like old rusty ceiling tiles. Thanks for sharing this, Kim. Learn more Everyone likes to cozy up in front of a fireplace during the cold months. The AT-1002 Ascot Fireplace Glass Door by Pleasant Hearth offers both functionality and aesthetic appeal. And the insert is easily removed to enjoy a warm fire. You can use a butter knife to help roll-squeeze it in. Cut the foam bumper for the first side and press it onto the double-stick tape. This worked perfect, I feel no air. This article has been viewed 67,365 times. Next, close the damper, insert insulation into the flue and secure it. With your protective gloves on, unroll the fiberglass insulation and stuff it into all three channels of the door to insulate it. 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. Lay the pegboard onto the reclaimed lumber and press firmly in place. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. I opted to have my chimney swept, replace my chimney cap, and use a fireplace draft stopper when I am not using my fireplace. 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. Vertically position one of the 2x4s just inside the 2-inch mark and attach it to the plywood using a power drill and screws. Im a little bit of a fanatic when it comes to drafts. Stopping a fireplace draft is not difficult. A removable fireplace draft stopper is one possible solution. Chimney flue pipes provide much-needed ventilation for masonry fireplaces. L x 32 in. Do you leave logs in the fire even when you know youre not gonna burn them? Then, attach two lintel clamps at the top of the door, and the floor brackets to the bottom part. Home House & Components Parts of House Fireplace. Want to build your own fireplace insert draft stopper? See Disclaimer for details. Will Cleaning My Chimney Help Stop Cold Drafts? Silicone fireplace sealers- on the other hand- feature durable construction and can last for up to 20 years. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. Using an inflatable rectangular flameproof pillow as a fireplace draft stopper. 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? Lay the pegboard on top of the excess foam insulation and set the saw blade depth just below the pegboard. After all, thats its job, to keep smoke from choking you. I chose to use the Kreg Rip Cut because I was anxious to try it out. Stick it on the side of your refrigerator to keep the magnet smooth. If you'd like to order the. A throat damper sits just above the area the fire is lit and requires more work to install. 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. To do this, measure the length and width of your fireplace hearth. One of the best ideas I discovered was to install glass doors in front of the fireplace. A fireplace door reflects the drafty air and ensures combustion byproducts do not enter your house. (If you dont own a rip cut or track saw, you can make your own DIY Track Saw for your circular saw here!). That being said, the best temporary cover for a fireplace opening is a screen door/glass door. Finally, you want a cover that you can easily uninstall whenever you want to use the fireplace again. 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. Apply the double-stick tape that came with the bumper to the sides of the frame. Allow wallpaper glue and all adhesive to dry completely, overnight is best before you move to the rust process. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 2. How do you think of these things?!?! You can build a brick-and-mortar one or have a gas one installed. Cut the foam bumper for the first side and press it onto the double-stick tape. You can check if that is the issue with your fireplace by opening a window while using your fireplace. 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. The only thing that will work is a fireplace cover with insulation. Inflatable chimney plugs/ balloons not only prevent air leaks, but also prevent critters and debris from entering your house. This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer. This can make a big impact on our own comfort and home's energy bill as well. Stir Metal Effect Oxidizing Iron Paint well with stir stick. 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. Use construction adhesive or wood glue to attach the trim to the base piece. 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. Measure 2 inches in from the side of the plywood and mark the point. When all the pieces are cut, set them in the frame. Instructables maker mikeasaurus demonstrates. Inspect the fireplace for any gaps or cracks around the fireplace. If you find less of a draft, you know you need to allow better airflow in your home. After some digging, I found these reasons for a fireplace draft. Last Updated: October 21, 2021 Fireplaces add a lovely layer of warmth and coziness to your home. if i gave you my messurments, [] build a fireplace insert draft stopper a lowes creator idea Fireplace Cover Plate Size: 640 X 427 | Source: http://www.prettyhandygirl.com [], [] build a fireplace insert draft stopper a lowes creator idea Diy Fireplace Cover Size: 640 X 427 | Source: http://www.prettyhandygirl.com [], [] of my door to fit on the side of our refrigerator cabinet. Toni DeBella is a culture and lifestyle writer, reviews expert and DIY enthusiast covering everything from pests to painting to pool cabanas. Reinflate the chimney balloon once the chimney is cold. A piece of wrapping paper works perfect to create a pattern. Don't miss out! When you get home, check that the plywood fits inside your fireplace opening before proceeding. Galvanized steel draft king chimney cover is the durable and economic choice for chimneys in most regions. Most types of chimney balloon will allow a small amount of air to vent around them to keep a small amount of airflow. This process requires a free passageway for hot air and waste gases and smoke . We recommend our users to update the browser. A fireplace draft stopper is an efficient way to prevent this from happening. You may need to wiggle and nudge it a bit to get it in there snugly. So, how do you temporarily cover a fireplace hole? 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. 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. The anchors should be level with the brick surface. 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. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Apply the Metal Effect Primer to the entire surface of your fireplace cover using one of the paint brushes included in your kit. 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. Similarly, attach the second 2x4 2 inches in from the other side. :)***Welcome to my channel. If I could do my project again I would cut the baseboard smaller mine is a tight fit. Decide the Size of Your Fireplace Hearth Cover. Get a Modern Masters Metal Effect Rust Finish Kit. Covering the Fireplace with a Draft Guard Download Article 1 Measure the width and height of the fireplace 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. Fireplace draft guard cover. 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. Watch this video for a simple and inexpensive solution. Carefully punch it in. Lay each piece inside the frame and use the speed square to scribe a line where you need to cut. This is the side that will be facing out. 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. Therefore, blocking the opening with bricks is not an option. Fireplace plugs (a.k.a. We may earn commission through affiliate links on this page at no additional cost to you. You canreadmore about affiliate links here.). Standard chimney caps are cheaper and only seal the flue opening. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Some people find that they work great at stopping a cold air draft, while others find that they do not work at all. It was surprising to find how much heat loss a drafty chimney can account for. 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. Once you have your measurements hit the lumber yard or hardware store. 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. This base coat needs to dry completely approximately 12 hours. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e5\/Block-Draft-from-a-Fireplace-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Block-Draft-from-a-Fireplace-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e5\/Block-Draft-from-a-Fireplace-Step-1.jpg\/aid9985095-v4-728px-Block-Draft-from-a-Fireplace-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"