There could be a mechanical damper right above the firebox. Want to build your own fireplace insert draft stopper? Keep in mind that wood glue expands as it cures, so don't put any glue near the edges, or you'll risk having it ooze out of the sides of the logs. I have a mantle that is well caulked on the inside against the fireplace wall. 8 Best Fireplace Draft Stoppers | The Family Handyman 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. This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Custom Made Fireplace Cover stop draft | Fireplace Fashion Kim, this is amazing!! I used foam board covered with fabric as well as batting that I spray glued to the foam board. 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. The problem is they arent very attractive to look at so might only be useful for a cabin. 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 Fireplace Blocker features magnetic construction that allows it to easily adhere to your fireplace screen. How to Cover a Fireplace Hole [Temporary + DIY Covers] 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. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. If you have a brick, wood-burning fireplace in your home, consider investing in a fireplace blanket. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Do I need to make it a tight enough fit inside the fireplace opening so that the foam bumper keeps it from moving? Apply the Metal Effect Primer to the entire surface of your fireplace cover using one of the paint brushes included in your kit. I checked my chimney cap/damper to ensure it worked properly. Yayyyy thanks Vicki I will be rusting some other things soon because I am completely enamored with this process so stay tuned! Once your lead anchors are in place, its now time to insulate the door to prevent smoke leaks. Once you find the measurements, make sure you buy a guard that is at least the size of the opening. flue blockers, chimney pillows, draft stoppers and the trademarked Chimney Balloon) are an inexpensive way to choke off drafts when a fireplace is not in use. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. (If you dont own a rip cut or track saw, you can make your own DIY Track Saw for your circular saw here!). Cut insulation to size. A top damper sits on top of the chimney and has a cord that runs down the length of the chimney. Most types of chimney balloon will allow a small amount of air to vent around them to keep a small amount of airflow. How To Increase Chimney Draft. Reinflate the chimney balloon once the chimney is cold. You can always add more but not take it away! Instructables maker mikeasaurus demonstrates. Magnetic Fireplace Vent Covers | Fireplace Draft Stopper | Fireplace 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. 1 x 4 cedar boards worked well for the frame. After all, thats its job, to keep smoke from choking you. Some people find that they work great at stopping a cold air draft, while others find that they do not work at all. They attach over the front of a fireplace usually with magnets. Your fireplace screened turned out beautifully! You want to make sure you cut your wood pieces slightly smaller that the actual fireplace opening. You are exceedingly talented!! A damper should be your go-to draft stopper if your fireplace has one. Cut your reclaimed lumber edges at 45 degree angles. Allow the concrete to dry for at least 24 hours, then apply a second coat of latex-infused thinset. Fireplace Draft Cover Amazon - fireplacenow.co Open fireplaces help to remove byproducts from a fire from your home without any assistance needed from you. The pegboard should be loose, but allow the edge bumper to compress against the sides for a snug fit. Cut a vertical support piece for inside the center of the frame and attach it with pocket hole joinery. But, there was one draft that Ive been meaning to serve an eviction notice to since the first winter we lived in our house. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Its snug fit ensures that thisDIY draft stopper stands in the fireplace and effectively plugs any potential air leaks. Stand back and marvel at how realistic the stack of "logs" look, and how much style it instantly adds to your fireplace vignette! All covers are made to your measurements. Don't miss out! Apply the double-stick tape that came with the bumper to the sides of the frame. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Covering the Fireplace with a Draft Guard Download Article 1 Measure the width and height of the fireplace opening. 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. 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. It looks like a work of Art Enjoy. Arrange varying sizes of log slices on the plywood until you have your desired pattern. This is because a chimney will normally draw air up it. This fire-resistant hearth blanket from Fireplace Blocker effectively prevents drafty airflow via the fireplace opening. I didnt have the right fireplace, so I could not use this method. Look through the trim selections and pick a style that goes with your decor. "Your article is very informative and hopefully I'll find installing the balloon quite straightforward.". It will also act as a safety barrier for children and pets. We may earn a commission from your purchases. Lots of ways to improve chimney draw exist. A removable fireplace draft stopper is one possible solution. Im a little bit of a fanatic when it comes to drafts. Again, thanks for sharing your project it inspired me to move my lazy buns and do something useful : ). Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Keep a reminder card or tie something to the handle of the balloon so you dont forget its there. Learn how your comment data is processed. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Thank you to Modern Masters for sponsoring this DIY project. 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. This. Before deciding whether to purchase or hand-make a fireplace draft stopper, check out our list of the kinds of stoppers that are available. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. In this video, I make a DIY fireplace cover to stop losing valuable heated air! SHIPPING. WOW! eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. My only regret is not making it sooner. Save on your electric bill plus keep bugs out. Fireplace draft cover amazon. Hello Kim, I love your project, the rust effect is amazing. How to Make A DIY Rust Fireplace Cover - Salvaged Living For me having a wood-burning fireplace is a must for heating my home in the cold and dreary winter, but there are times when a storm is on the way or the days when its windy out that I can feel a cold draft wafting from my fireplace opening. *** It works to prevent drafty airflow when the chimney isnt in use. Once you have your measurements hit the lumber yard or hardware store. Once your fireplace cover is dry you will want to rust it for a gorgeous patina that ages your new piece and pulls it together. This worked perfect, I feel no air. They even block smoke. The main reason I had a cold air draft issue with my fireplace was that my home had poor airflow. By Manasa Reddigari Updated May 25, 2021 6:47 PM. The look is unbelievable, its like a rusty piece of tin that was made to be in my living room fireplace. Use a jigsaw to cut the curved edge and a table saw for the straight edges. This is the side that will be facing out. They are best used after youve had a fire burning o that only the embers remain. This can lead to high energy bills as you spend more energy to heat up your home. 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. Use a tape measure so you can determine what size draft guard you need. Blanket-wrapped Fireplace Cover - YouTube 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. A house must have enough airflow if you dont want your fireplace to have a draft. A good quality fireplace blanket will effectively keep hot air in while simultaneously stopping downward cold drafts. The US Department of Energy notes that the typical American homeowner incurs as much as $275 in annual energy expenses due to air leaks through unsealed masonry fireplaces. I especially love the beads on it! Cut the next side and notch out where there are any overlaps. Its not hard and you can complete it in an afternoon! 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? Since every Fireplace Fashion Cover is made when ordered, we can make one just for your fireplace size and for your tastes and dcor.