I chose to use the Kreg Rip Cut because I was anxious to try it out. Because, a lot of the heated air in our houses finds its way outside thru our chimneys! This worked perfect, I feel no air. Fireplace Cover to Keep Cold Air Out - Fireplace Draft Stopper Use pliers or an oven mitt to prevent any burns. 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. It should be inset on the sides and top to allow room for the bumper (as shown in the photo below.). These types of fireplace draft stoppers also have the added benefit of preventing unwanted soot or wildlife from falling into the hearth. 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. This fireplace cover is super easy to make on your own and the perfect addition to your home. Meanwhile, the bifold doors allow for easy closure to prevent air leaks when the hearth is not in use. Copyright 2023 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Magnetic Fireplace Draft Stopper - Fireplace Cover to Block Cold Air We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Fireplace Draft Covers - Etsy Once air is accumulated inside the fireplace, air pressure will build-up and exits out through those gaps. After some digging, I found these reasons for a fireplace draft. This fireplace cover is super easy to make on your own and the perfect addition. Have your chimney inspected and cleaned once a year so build-up does not form. I used textured wallpaper to cover the base piece of wood. If I could do my project again I would cut the baseboard smaller mine is a tight fit. Again, thanks for sharing your project it inspired me to move my lazy buns and do something useful : ). Fireplace Draft Cover - How To Stop A Fireplace Draft That's another way to kind of slow down the drafts. Thanks for sharing this, Kim. Custom Made Fireplace Cover stop draft | Fireplace Fashion Use the included stir stick to mix the primer well. (If you dont own a rip cut or track saw, you can make your own DIY Track Saw for your circular saw here!). As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Stopping this cold convection will give you a lot of relief. Next, cut your trim pieces. The AT-1002 Ascot Fireplace Glass Door by Pleasant Hearth offers both functionality and aesthetic appeal. Hi Rosemary I checked with the brand and the product is listed on the Amazon International site, but color selection may be more limited. Hunter holds a BFA in Entertainment Design from the University of Wisconsin - Stout and a Minor in English Writing. This is at no extra cost to you. Blocking this cold air at the bottom vent and the top vent with our Magnetic Fireplace Vent Covers will stop this cold air. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I didnt have the right fireplace, so I could not use this method. Its beautiful as well as decorative and Ill make another for when I tire of this one. Using an inflatable rectangular flameproof pillow as a fireplace draft stopper. DIY Draft Stopper for Your Fireplace - Genius! - Bob Vila 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 Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Iron your fabric and mark your dimensions. Now add houseplants, bookshelves or completely brick-over the space. This Fireplace Insert Draft Stopper looks good year-round. Fireplace draft cover amazon. Don't miss out! Well thank you Claire! 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. Cover an outdated brick fireplace with contemporary tile. Other options are fireplace vent covers or adding glass doors to the fireplace to stop drafts from coming through. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. 5.9K views 5 years ago If you are looking to cover-up your fireplace area, then this is the video for you! A damper is a permanent fixture and can be manually opened and closed between fires to help stop a fireplace draft. 8 Best Fireplace Draft Stoppers | The Family Handyman You can see that our bricks are faux painted in this picture. Enjoy! Learn to grow a creative business with Kim from Salvaged Living! Hello Kim, I love your project, the rust effect is amazing. Sanded and stained in richer tones, the branches take on the look of freshly chopped logs. I especially love the beads on it! We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. ): I hope it inspires you to make a custom fireplace cover that is full of rusty heaven! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. That was kinda my goal without having to find, cut and pay for old tiles! This year I decided to tackle the problem by investigating how to stop the cold air draft with a fireplace draft cover. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. Once you have your measurements hit the lumber yard or hardware store. I opted to use a fireplace draft stopper called a Flueblocker Its made of wool and fits snugly up the chimney out of sight. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Gaps and cracks in your chimney masonry . Firmly secure the bumper to the sides of the frame with a staple gun. They attach over the front of a fireplace usually with magnets. 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. Its, therefore, crucial to seal/block a fireplace opening if its not currently in use. Fireplace Draft Stopper - Cheap DIY - YouTube Even if youve addressed the issues above a fireplace can still be drafty. 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. 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. Gently slide the fireplace cover into the opening in your fireplace. Stir Metal Effect Oxidizing Iron Paint well with stir stick. This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. How to Cover a Fireplace Hole [Temporary + DIY Covers] 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. If you'd like to order the. Gently slide the fireplace cover into the opening in your fireplace. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. My only regret is not making it sooner. Meanwhile, some inserts feature blowers that drive warm air back into the house via the front vents. You may need to tweak it and cut away some more until a good pattern emerges. Kim Jones and Salvaged Living, 2019. You can build a brick-and-mortar one or have a gas one installed. Step 4. 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. 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. Theres a wide range of unused materials around the house that you can use to create a fireplace cover by yourself. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Last Updated: October 21, 2021 This is a necessary step because with repeated removal of the insert, the bumper will eventually come off. Want to build your own fireplace insert draft stopper? Watch this video for a simple and inexpensive solution. So, there's lots of different types of dampers. Tired of battling drafts that raise your heating costs when you havent used your fireplace in years? Build a Fireplace Insert Draft Stopper - Pretty Handy Girl This type of hearth covering boasts fireproof construction and uses magnetic technology to attach to the metal screen of the fireplace. But asInstructables maker mikeasaurus demonstrates, there is a third option: shutting out the cold with a few fallen branches and some simplescrap wood. Lay the pegboard on top of the excess foam insulation and set the saw blade depth just below the pegboard. How to Make A DIY Rust Fireplace Cover - Salvaged Living 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! However, since old-school dampers tend to allow cold drafts to leak into the house, flue pipes typically need to be sealed, especially if the fireplace is not in use. well as help cut the energy bills for heating your home. Use a circular saw to trim the door. This can lead to high energy bills as you spend more energy to heat up your home. A chimney balloon is simply a form of balloon that you can blow up within your chimney to provide a tight seal. Its not hard and you can complete it in an afternoon! It wipes clean with a damp cloth and will last for years. A house must have enough airflow if you dont want your fireplace to have a draft. My fireplace is not set in that deep. Once the fireplace is cool again, place the guard over the hole. Press the insert into your fireplace and stop the drafts forever! The best time of the year to seal a firebox thats been lying idle is in late fall- just before winter. 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. Meanwhile, custom-sized chimney caps are more expensive and are usually mounted outside the chimney to cover both the chimney crown and top. 8 Ways to Follow on How to Make a Fireplace Hearth Cover. When the fireplace is off, however, you may experience the cold air coming through the chimney and stealing the warmth out of your home. 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 . 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. Stopping a fireplace draft is not difficult. The steel/cast iron construction helps to prevent air from escaping. This fire-resistant, carbon fiber hearth cover is designed to attach to your metal screen via strong magnets. I decided to use a fireplace draft stopper or flueblocker when my chimney is not in use, but there are other ways to insulate a fireplace that also work. Give yourself at least an extra inch of fabric all the way around for the seams. Use a tape measure so you can determine what size draft guard you need. Use a Kreg Jig to make pocket holes in the corners. It takes at least 30 to 40 minutes to activate and see the rust change take place. The pegboard should be loose, but allow the edge bumper to compress against the sides for a snug fit. I may rust something! They even block smoke. Similarly, attach the second 2x4 2 inches in from the other side. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. You can ask a Lowes employee to cut down the rigid foam insulation for you so you can fit it in your car. Im a little bit of a fanatic when it comes to drafts. I am saving this post in hopes I will try this some day! Allow to dry 5 minutes or so and then lightly spray again. Measure 2 inches in from the side of the plywood and mark the point. With your protective gloves on, unroll the fiberglass insulation and stuff it into all three channels of the door to insulate it. If you have a brick, wood-burning fireplace in your home, consider investing in a fireplace blanket. You now have a no-fuss, faux fireplace. Here's how I made our fireplace draft stopper. Please note, if you are adding wood beads to an edge, make sure you cut this side down extra to allow for the bead thickness or your fireplace cover might not fit in the opening if you cut your cover with a tight fit. The first step is to determine how large you want your fireplace hearth cover to be. Once your lead anchors are in place, its now time to insulate the door to prevent smoke leaks. Flip the frame over and double secure the frame to the pegboard with finish nails. 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? You can use a butter knife to help roll-squeeze it in. You can check if that is the issue with your fireplace by opening a window while using your fireplace. Apply the double-stick tape that came with the bumper to the sides of the frame. I would love to try this but as i live in England i dont know if i can buy it here, do you know if its available to buy here? 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. Galvanized steel draft king chimney cover is the durable and economic choice for chimneys in most regions. Cut insulation to size. This is because a chimney will normally draw air up it. You just have to really think it through to make sure you cut the angles in the right direction and use the short side of the trim as your measurement for length. Get a Modern Masters Metal Effect Rust Finish Kit. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I found that one of the reasons I might have a draft coming from my fireplace was if the flue was blocked. This can make a big impact on our own comfort and home's energy bill as well. The only thing that will work is a fireplace cover with insulation. I checked my chimney cap/damper to ensure it worked properly. Mila is passionate about living sustainability and encouraging others to do the same. Learn more Everyone likes to cozy up in front of a fireplace during the cold months. You can cover the foam with a cozy blanket or fun fabric to match your decor. 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. Fireplace Chimney . You must remove the covers when you have a fire to get warm air circulating. To maximize the wood collected from the yard,he cut each into 2- to 3-inch-thick rounds using a bandsaw. 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. How to Make A Burlap Carrot Door Hanger. Modern Masters Metal Effect Rust Kit You can get this kit in the following places (click to purchase online! Fireplace Cover, Fireplace Draft Cover, Fireplace Blocker Blanket Stops Overnight Heat Loss, Fireplace Draft Stopper Guard Covers Screen Block Summer Cold Air Draft Leak&Winter Heat Loss(45" Wx34 H) 4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars (33) $24.99 $ 24. Fireplaces add a lovely layer of warmth and coziness to your home. If it has a leak, replace the balloon. Measure the height and width of your fireplace opening and ask your hardware store to cut a sheet of plywood to the exact dimensions. OVERSIZE: Width over 40 Wide AND Height over 32 High. (Caution: Don't use hot glue -- it won't hold.) 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. Looking at your snug-fit test, I see the rubber fits very nicely on all corners but what prevents the air from seeping through the brick layers 1/8 inch gaps see the left and right side of the fireplace. Its one of the last options you should consider, but I need to mention it; sometimes, if all else has failed, the problem might be solved by investing a little money to build a new chimney. I also used velcro strips to hold it in place. I measured from the inside of the mantel, side to side and the bottom to the top inside edge as well. You are in no way required to use them, but if you do, you'll help support my channel and allow me to continue creating helpful videos and tutorials with no charge to you!