Fireplace sizes

safesound

I'm looking for advice on modifying a fireplace for a wood burning stove. I currently have an open coal type fire and want to replace it with a multipurpose/woodburning type stove, but all the ones I've looked at are way too big for the "hole". Has anyone had their hole enlarged (ooh err missus ) and if so was it expensive?

safesound

Bump......
Has no-one ever had this done? Come on someone must have, surely.

adr0ck

whats the size of your hole?

paul_h

Before I start, I've never had this done by a professional so I'm not sure what it would cost, but it won't be cheap...

I assume you have a standard fireplace front fitted, probably 16" or 18" opening.

To install a woodburner you will need to will have remove the fireplace, the fireback, throat lintels, all the infill behind the fireback, and the infill brickwork around the fireback to reveal the bare 'builder's opening' with the constructional lintel above. If you have any back boiler, this and all the associated pipework will also require removing.

You will then have to install a throat plate in the chimney to enclose the chimney and connect to the woodburner flue. A new bespoke fireplace front and superimposed hearth will have to be built, usuallly from brick. The brickwork inside the builder's opening is often not pretty and may need remedial work or lining. You will probably need a new back hearth too.

The size of your builder's opening will determine what size of woodburner you can fit - they're usually about 30-36" wide but they only way to check the size is to remove the fireplace, you will see the change in the brickwork which is infill.

There's a lot of work, and you really need someone who know's what they're doing to have a look as it's not always feasible.

Hope this helps...

safesound

Thanks for replying Paul I was begining to think I'd been blacklisted

paul_h wrote:

To install a woodburner you will need to will have remove the fireplace, the fireback, throat lintels, all the infill behind the fireback, and the infill brickwork around the fireback to reveal the bare 'builder's opening' with the constructional lintel above. If you have any back boiler, this and all the associated pipework will also require removing. You will then have to install a throat plate in the chimney to enclose the chimney and connect to the woodburner flue.

No back boiler, so I'm okay there and the throat plate was expected.

A new bespoke fireplace front and superimposed hearth will have to be built, usuallly from brick. The brickwork inside the builder's opening is often not pretty and may need remedial work or lining. You will probably need a new back hearth too.

I'm with you up until the back hearth. Cant I just have it all plastered?

The size of your builder's opening will determine what size of woodburner you can fit - they're usually about 30-36" wide but they only way to check the size is to remove the fireplace, you will see the change in the brickwork which is infill.

Thats what I thought. Thanks.

There's a lot of work, and you really need someone who know's what they're doing to have a look as it's not always feasible.

I'm getting BIL to do it and he's a builder so I'm hoping he knows what he's doing, I just havent got around to telling him thats what I want yet

Thanks again Paul. (funnily enough the BIL is called Paul too :beer:)

safesound

....

Width 406mm
Height 546mm
Depth 279mm

:D:D

paul_h

safesound wrote:

....

Width 406mm
Height 546mm
Depth 279mm

:D:D

That's a standard 16" fireback opening.

The back hearth is the bit on the bottom that the woodburner will stand on, usually laid concrete. The superimposed hearth is the separate front hearth which sticks out into the room.

You may be able to plaster/render the back of the opening, depending on the type and condition of brickwork you have lining the opening.

I've no doubt BIL will be able to sort it out if he's a builder - it's all fairly straightforward and I'm sure he'll have done something similar before.

Good luck!