Getting to grips with restoring a fireplace is something the majority of renovators will need to do if they want to get this much-prized original feature looking as good as the day it was first fitted.
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While we all have different fireplace ideas for our homes, if you are lucky enough to find an original fireplace in your house then sprucing it up and incorporating it into any modernisation plans you might have for your interior design scheme is a job well worth undertaking.
Here, we take a look at the factors that could affect whether or not your fireplace restoration will be a project worth pursuing, whether it is a Victorian tiled design or a chunky Georgian marble model.
While there are many different types of fireplace each with varying degrees of wear and tear and damage, it is very useful to understand how to tackle the individual issues often associated with this kind of original feature.
Here, with the help of experts in the field, we take you through how to address the most common problems found by those restoring old fireplaces.
Fireplaces are often seen as highly desirable features in both period and contemporary homes, even where the owners don't ever plan on using them for an open fire. Some people choose to kit them out with a log burning stove, while others after interesting living room fireplace ideas simply use them as an eye-catching decorative feature. Whatever final use they end up having, it is still well worth breathing new life into them.
"A restored fireplace helps raise the overall household value, which is excellent if you ever wish to sell your home in the future," says Mark Swann of Sussex Fireplace Restoration. "Many buyers appreciate the beauty and functionality of a fireplace in working order."
Period fireplaces come in many different styles and were made from various materials, including stone, timber, brick and cast iron. Those renovating a Georgian house are likely to find something very different to those working on an Art Deco home.
"The Georgians often favoured more natural materials such as marble surrounds and classical-style stone with more plain apertures that contained a fire basket," says Mark Swann. "On the other hand, Edwardian and Victorian households often opted for an all-in-one cast iron fireplace with combined inserts and surround. Victorian fireplaces have surrounds made of a wide range of marble, stone, and timber materials.
"Many people of that time also liked other decorative elements, such as tiled inserts on the sides or cheeks of the fireplace."
If you plan on using the fireplace as an open fire or as an opening in which to install a log burning or multi-fuel stove or other kind of fire that requires a chimney or flue, you will need to ensure that everything is in good working order as the condition of chimneys plays a huge role in both ensuring the fire can burn safely, as well as efficiently.
"The best way to start restoring is to ensure your chimney breast is swept by a professional chimney sweep so that they may check for any factors that require repairing and thoroughly clean the insides," advises Mark Swann.
"Eruption in your chimney will need restoration work, not just for your chimney but also the hearth, chimney liner and masonry," continues Mark. "It's best to ensure your chimney liner and overall fireplace is thoroughly checked over for chips in the paint or plaster, rusting, creosote build-ups, cracks, obstructions or various other problems."
If you suspect that there is an old fireplace hiding behind one of your walls then you will no doubt be eager to set it free — opening up a fireplace is a job that can add value and charm to a home.
"In some cases, opening up a fireplace could involve little more than prising off a sheet of old hardboard to reveal a hidden gem," says chartered surveyor Ian Rock. "But even if you don’t find a long-forgotten marble masterpiece behind, there’s still plenty you can do to create a captivating focal point.
"A bolster and club hammer is probably the better option for localised demolition where old fireplaces have been bricked up," advises Ian. "Having exposed the original ‘builder’s opening’, large deposits of accumulated soot and rubble will likely need to be removed before the chimney can be swept and the flue lined."
It was common in the past to paint both stone and cast iron fireplaces, leaving many renovators wondering how to get their features back to their original state without damaging them.
"Many period marble and stone fire surrounds will have been painted at some point," say the experts at Chenseys. "Using a paint stripper, layers of paint can easily be removed, and the original material revealed and then waxed and polished.
"Paint stripper can also be applied to a cast iron grate or fire basket, which can then be polished using a graphite paste," they continue.
"Layers of too much paint can be completely removed with a chemical paint stripper before wiping the coats away with a cloth," agrees Mark Swann. "Many may wonder why you don't use heat guns instead. However, those working in the industry would often advise that you avoid using heat guns as they typically crack old metal or lead, which would ruin the structure of your fireplace.
"The job takes elbow grease, and you'll want to ensure you or you or your professional is equipped with protective gloves and attire."
In some cases, if you are lucky, all that might be required to get your fireplace gleaming once more is a thorough clean.
"If there is no need to remove paint, a weak solution of washing up liquid will shift superficial dirt and stains before the surround is waxed and polished," advise Chesneys.
"Often you may find that an old cast iron fireplace may be in dire need of a cosmetic spruce-up," says Mark. "You might need to buff it with a Liberon paste or other specialist polish before covering it with fireplace paint formulated for higher temperatures in matte black so that it does not peel off with the heat or moisture."
If you are hoping to bring your tiled fireplace ideas to fruition but are the owner of a tiled fireplace that has seen better days, a different approach will be required.
If tiles are cracked or missing, you might get lucky and find matching replacement tiles by searching online or scouring reclamation yards. However, if your search proves unsuccessful, you might like to embrace a more mix-and-match look for your fireplace by introducing some new patterns.
Alternatively, you could remove all the tiles and start over.
If you have a brick fireplace opening and find it is cracked, you need to take action.
"If you discover a cracked brick in your fireplace masonry, you must patch it up immediately," says Mark Swann. "Suppose the bricks are crumbling; you must replace them with new firebricks inside the mortar joint. If you find that your mortar joints are crumbling in the firebox, you must replace the old loose mortar after chiselling it out.
"Such processes are called 'tuckpointing', and it is a process many follow to repair mortar joints in most brick structures. The primary difference between the two is that refractory mortar is designed to withstand extreme heat and temperatures."
If you uncover an old fireplace hearth it is worth saving it — particularly as it may well compliment the original fireplace.
Slate and other types of stone hearth were a common feature in many period homes, but they are prone to scratches and may have cracked or got chipped over the years — thankfully there are steps you can take to repair them. But what about if the original heath is missing altogether and you need to find some new fireplace hearth ideas?
"The hearth was traditionally made from concrete set flush into the floor void. To comply with Building Regulations this will need to be raised above floor level; it’s a simple job to form a new one directly on top from in-situ concrete, or you might opt for a marble or slate hearth," explains Ian Rock.
"New hearths can come in standard sizes, or you may like to have them custom-made to fit all your appliance's dimensions, floors, walls and proportions," points out Mark Swann.
If your hearth is scratched, there are many products out there to address the issue. Slate oils and hard waxes often really help disguise scratches (test on an inconspicuous section first). Something like Tableau Slate Oil from Amazoncan work wonders but if you want the scratches gone altogether then it may be necessary to lightly sand the stone before resealing.
It is not unusual to find fixings, tiles or sections of original fireplaces are missing — thankfully this does not have to mean ripping them out and starting from scratch.
"If you uncover damaged or missing metal components, it's best to call a local professional to assist you," says Mark. "Restorers can also recast any fireplace features, for example grates and hoods."
By creating hundreds of little holes in your lawn’s surface, allows for rain water and nutrients to more quickly penetrate the surface of the lawn. This also feeds the roots of your plants and grass. By aerating your lawn, you’ll help prevent the soil from becoming compact, which allows the root systems of your lawn to grow deeper. Aeration occurs when you use a tool specifically designed for aerating your lawn. It is a tool with little spikes that puncture your lawn as you roll it across your yard. The little puncture marks provide fresh air to penetrate to the root system of your turf.
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Your lawn will stay looking more beautiful and healthy if you aerate it.
Rose pruning is typically done in the spring before the rose bushes bloom. You’ll want to watch for the leaf buds to swell on your rose plants. This means that when the bumps on the canes get larger and reddish in color, it’s time to prune your roses!How to Prune Rose Bushes
There are certain things a tree owner must know to keep trees healthy and in the very best condition. Here are just a few:
Tree staking is never done with the intention of harming a tree. Staking is usually done with love and with a desire to promote root and trunk growth and protect a young tree from harm.
What some tree planters do not understand is, rather than helping a tree develop root and trunk growth, improper tree staking replaces a supportive trunk and root system with an artificial support that causes the tree to put its resources into growing taller but not growing wider.
Before starting a mulching project, become familiar with the critical root zone (CRZ) or tree protection zone. This zone is generally defined as the area under a tree and out to its drip line. Improving conditions in this protection zone will also result in major health benefits to a tree.
Mulching is the most beneficial thing a home owner can do for the health of a young tree. Mulches are materials placed on the soil surface to improve soil structure, oxygen levels, temperature, and moisture availability.
Ideally, growing trees should be fertilized throughout the year. The greatest amounts should be applied during the early spring and summer months. Several light applications a year are preferred as the tree gets older.
Pruning is essential in developing a tree with a strong structure and desirable form.
A tree is never in greater danger than during a storm. That can mean a threat from pounding rain and hail, from the fury of the wind or the scorch of lightning. You may also have to remove a tree that endangers life and property during or after a storm.
Trees in Fall are beginning their dormant phase. Some trees may seem to be inactive but the fact is they need to be winterized – protected and cared for to remain healthy and free from diseases and insects.
After the last cold snap, it’s time to clean up all the accumulated debris from your lawn. You want to help your landscape get off to a healthy start by doing the following:
Freezing temperatures can be damaging to a landscape. There are a few things you can do to help keep your landscape protected, even in harsh winters.
The key is to remove debris, leaves, pine needles and unwanted branches from around your landscape. If these items are not removed, they can contribute to rot and mold along with other lawn diseases. By removing them, you’re leaving plenty of room for new growth that will contribute to a healthy landscape in the spring.
It is also very important to keep your lawn weeded regularly. You can weed by hand or by applying herbicides so that your turf has plenty of room for growth.
Winter is the perfect time to aerate and de-thatch your turf. During summer months, it gets packed down and tangled. Aerating will help open up your turf to fresh air, water and nutrients that are imperative for healthy growth.
Protect your lawn from freeze damage by doing the following before a freeze:
Thoroughly water your landscape plants before a freeze. This can help reduce any change in your plants caused by freeze damage. Cold and dry winds often accompany cold weather, which can dry out plants. By watering your plants, you will help retain moisture. Wetting the foliage of plants before a freeze does not, however, provide any cold protection. A well-watered soil will also absorb more solar radiation than dry soil and will re-radiate the heat during the night.
If possible you’ll want to move all your plants, in containers, inside your home, where the temperatures will stay above freezing. If it’s not possible to bring them inside, try to place them close to the base of your home to help keep them as warm as possible during a freeze. Covering your plants in plastic can also help keep them from getting freeze damage. If you move your plants inside, make sure you give them as much light as possible, so they can continue to grow.
Mulch can help protect plants that are in ground. Using dry material like pine or straw will help keep moisture in. You should be aware that mulches will only protect what they cover. Mulch at the base of a bird-of-paradise will help the roots, but will provide no added protection to the leaves. Mulches, then, are best used to protect below-ground parts or crowns or may be used to completely cover low-growing plants to a depth of four inches. Leave cover on no more than three or four days.
Do your best to cover any outside plants with plastic or cardboard boxes. Styrofoam boxes also help with insulation. You want to cover them the best you can to avoid freeze damage.
Proper Care of plants in the cold winter includes making sure you do a deciduous perennial cut back. This allows the perennials to focus on the growth necessary in early spring to maximize the foliage and blooms throughout the year. Without proper care and attention, perennials will have to fight through the old growth in the spring time. You want to cut them back, so they have plenty of room to flourish. Unfortunately, winter perennial cut back are often overlooked. Make time and effort to cut back your perennials. You’ll be able to see a noticeable difference during their peak season.
There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than to decorate your home with beautiful poinsettias. The scientific term for poinsettias is: Euphorbia Pulcherrima. Introduced in the United States by Joel Roberts Poinsett (who fell in love with the plant called flor de noche Buena – while U.S. ambassador to Mexico in and began growing and giving them out as gifts in his home state of South Carolina), they make up 85% of potted plant sales during the holiday season.
Poinsettias are commercially grown in every state, with California the top producer, and though they come in other colors such as white, pink, orange, pale green and cream, red is the most popular and preferred. They can grow to be several feet in height and bear dark green leaves that measure three to six inches in length. To acquire color, it must be left in the dark for 12 hours at a time; at the same time, the plant needs much light during the day to reach a bright color.
They are a perennial, tropical (non-tolerant to freeze, which means you must bring them in when it gets too cold) shrub that exudes holiday cheer with their vibrant and festive colors. Whether adding to your courtyard design outside or livening up your foyer to greet family, friends and guests inside, poinsettias are perfect for the holiday season.
There are three main benefits for pruning (also known as tree trimming or tree cutting) your trees:
It is often recommended for personal and property safety reasons to reduce the risk of falling limbs and branches. In addition it is important to remove branches that may be resting on utility lines or near rooftops.
For the trees overall health, proper tree pruning helps stimulate new growth and the healing of wounds. It is necessary for the continued health of the tree to remove dead, weakened, diseased and insect-infested limbs. It can also encourage greater fruit production.
And finally, it improves the appearance of trees in your landscape. This is not only beneficial for the look of your property, but can also increase the overall value! Limbs too close to rooftops can encourage moss and other fungi to grow and reduce the life of the roof. They can also allow various tree climbing animals’ access to your roof and potentially your home.
Winter Rye grass is an annual grass that lives for one season and dies out. This type of grass is useful for creating a green lawn in the winter by over seeding an existing lawn. The nice thing about Rye Grass is that it can be mixed with other seed types such as Bermuda for winter hydro seeding. The Rye will come up immediately while the warm season seed remains dormant until spring. By the time the Rye Grass dies out, the warm season grass will be well established, ideally leaving your lawn looking green year around.
Rye grass is also a great choice to help with erosion control because it establishes itself quickly. Although it’s annual, it can reseed itself naturally to produce new turf each fall, if it is well maintained. It usually takes about 3 weeks for winter rye grass to establish itself.
Mulching can be one of the most beneficial things you can do for your soil and your plants. If you have not considered mulching your garden in the past, you may want to reconsider.
The main reason for mulch is to retain moisture in the soil. A three inch layer of mulch will reduce evaporation and lessen your watering time. Mulch protects soil from baking and drying out by altering the soil temperature and serving as an insulator to accommodate the surface needs in both the summer and winter seasons. Mulch also prevents soil crusting by allowing water to penetrate into the soil for absorption and movement. Consistent moisture fosters healthy plant growth.
Another benefit of mulch is weed reduction. A layer of mulch will help prevent the germination of many weed seeds, reducing the need for cultivation or the use of herbicides. Weed seedlings will smother before they are tall enough to peek through the mulch. Weeds use up water and nutrients intended for your plants. A weed free garden is lush with the proper plants. If weeds are allowed to grow, they will choke out what you have spent so much time and energy designing and planting.
While there are many types of mulch, organic mulches such as wood chips, grass clippings or other locally available materials help improve the soil by adding organic matter as they decompose. They also may encourage the growth of worms and other beneficial soil organisms that can help improve soil structure and the availability of nutrients for plants.
Mulches can also be used to enhance the look of your property. Many bark mulches provide uniformly rich brown color that contrasts with the plants. The mulch helps keep plants clean by reducing the splash of soil onto leaves during rainstorms, and helps infiltration of the rainfall into the garden.
In summary, the main reasons to use mulch are:
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