Opened up the fireplace: what to do next?

catt_2

I've taken out an outdated dreadful fireplace from the 1960s.;)

My intention was to replace it with something traditional and so I bought a secondhand cast iron fireplace.

Before fitting this I decided to have the chimney swept. Whilst the sweep was there he said I'd need to hack out more brickwork to get the new cast insert in. He said the brickwork was just ugly infill and with any luck I would chop it out and discover an attractive brickwork arch.

Well, I've done just that!

But whereas the fireplace was too small to fit the cast iron insert before, it is now too large, especially too tall! The opening is 60cm wide and 110cm high.

Someone said I should keep it as it is without adding the cast iron fireplace because the open brickwork looks nice. I'm a bit concerned about the cold draughts there might be in the winter and heat loss from the room. Also, I can clearly hear the noise of pidgeons cooing at the top of the chimney even though I have a cowl fitted.

I was thinking of a pine surround but I'm not sure what to do with the plastering and bonding in.

Any suggestions? Oh dear, I'm trying to add a photo but can't!
Which option would you prefer if you were buying a house?

vansboy

We got rid of a huge stone fireplace, which must have been expensive to put in & have just left a flat opening.

www.theupsidedownhouse.9f.com has pics.

You will need to make sure you follow the required guidelines, regarding the size of hearth & what you intend to do with it.

Do a search for Solid Fuel Advisory Council in Google.

We probavly won't use ours, but at least it's there if we needed to!

VB

catt_2

Vansboy

I've had a look at yours...that is precisely the sort of stone effect fireplace we've removed too! We are backed to a plain opening like yours, except ours is arched at the top and looks too large for our small room. Hence we may insert a cast iron fireplace surround.

evilgoose

are you intending to keep it as a functioning fireplace?

looby-loo_2

vansboy wrote: »

We got rid of a huge stone fireplace, which must have been expensive to put in & have just left a flat opening.

www.theupsidedownhouse.9f.com has pics.

You will need to make sure you follow the required guidelines, regarding the size of hearth & what you intend to do with it.

Do a search for Solid Fuel Advisory Council in Google.

We probavly won't use ours, but at least it's there if we needed to!

VB

Please be aware that the above link will generate several pop ups and adverts.

catt_2

Yes Goose we want to keep that option.

catt_2

lloo

I did notice but have a good pop-up blocker installed...

evilgoose

I couldnt get the site to open at all - I have my own pop-up blocker - a really slow broadband connection! lol

If you are not intending to use the fireplace, you fix a plate in the chimney (out of sight) I think its called a register plate. You should make sure its got a vent in it to allow for an airflow. Will cut down on noise and draughts.
In my case the plate has got a hole in it for the flue pipe to pass through.

I've just taken out an old boiler and have got a fireplace of a simular size to yours. I'm putting a multifuel stove, keeping the brick back and sides to the fireplace and putting in a wooden mantle. (unfortunately I've got a concrete lintel rather than a nice brick arch).

My friend has kept the fireplace open (only use at xmas) and has fixed a plate in the chinmey attached with a couple of 'L' brackets which just unscrew to make the fireplace useable for an open fire.

catt_2

Goose

I've looked into getting a wooden mantle but none are tall enough for our arch...

evilgoose

I've had simular problems with the fireplace height, even when taking into account the hearth the mantle was to short.

I came up with 3 alternatives,

1. extend the legs on the mantle (or should say get someone to)
2. Have the mantle shorter than the actual fireplace opening masking the lintel (I've got an ugly concrete lintel rather than a nice arch).
3. Build a small brick arch in the fireplace to reduce the fireplace height.

I'm hoping to achive something like this, the fireplace on page 3 (its a 7mb download) the website is quite good - may give you some ideas.

http://www.fireplaces-direct.com/brochures/pink_2007_2008.pdf

catt_2

Oooh that's lovely! That is the look on page 3 that I'm aiming for but without the stove.

I come to the same conclusion about the options open to me. I don't want to go option 3 route as it will be too expensive, so I'm thinking about both 1 & 2.

The room may be a lounge or a bedroom. I want to keep that option open, both for us and any future buyer of the property.

As it may be used as a bedroom, then on safety grounds I have had the old steel gas pipes removed from the room (not just disconnected) and I don't want gas.

I'm thinking of a decorative finish that will allow ocassional 'real' use.

I could close up the exposed arch by installing the cast iron fireplace I bought off Ebay. It is the Celtic in this brochure:

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