Sealing a Fireplace for the Winter

stuart264

My flat has this old open fireplace installed in it

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e373/stuart264/DSCF0002.jpg

The problem is the open/close mechanism in the chimney has been removed and its open right the way up to the sky and last winter I did a heath robinson bodge with some cardboard and duck tape but I wanted to know:-

1. Whats the best way of blocking this up to conserve heat, I was thinking about knocking up a wood panel to cover it but I was unsure if would be better putting some insulating material behind it but I dont know what.

2. If I seal it do I need to allow a couple of air holes to avoid any problems down the line?

Stuart

silvercar

you can buy something called fireplace balloons that fit up the hole and are vented.

ariba10

Some people use crumpled newspaper.

You will not get it air tight which should suit you..

roswell

a bit of ply wood with some vent holes should do the trick if your putting it inside the fire place (I assume you dont use it) as for insulation if you want to box off the front of the fireplace you could just use some loft insulation stuck tot he back of some mdf / plaster board or similar but you will need a air vent on the box.

Mr_Meanie

They sound a bit expensive for what they are but they seem to work.

http://www.chimney-balloon.co.uk/

Jolaaled

I've also had this problem and previously used cardboard..but it still gets draughty.

I read on this forum somewhere that, stuffing an old pillow up there may work better, as you can get a more snug-like fit...think i'll try it this winter.

Also, you could try using bunched up bubblewrap, if you've got a stash somewhere.

ailuro2

You're right to leave some ventialtion holes though.;) It might be the only source of air exchange in your living room.

foreverskint

We use our fire in the winter, but during the spring/summer, we still get a draught.

We get a black bin bag, which we stuff with paper, old carrier bags etc. Stuff it up the chimney. Works a treat.

Just be careful when removing anything you have shoved up there. You can get soot or the odd trapped dead bird:eek: coming down with the stuffing.

Jay-Jay_4

I had this problem in a rented house once. I filled a couple of carrier bags with screwed up newspaper and shoved them up the chimney. Problem solved.

stuart264

Thats not a bad idea given the size of the void up there, I looked at fireplace baloons but the size I need I would have had to sell a kidney and my firstborn to buy

Rather than scrunched up newspaper I think i will try a similar tip I read of using shredded paper as allegedly the air trapped between the paper is more efficient at trapping warm air.

Jay-Jay_4

....wonder if you could use some loft insulation stuff rather than paper? That would work wouldn't it?

If you don't have any lying around you could always ask for some on Freecycle, there must be loads of people who bought a bit too much and have some spare.

Necessity is the Mother of invention!