hi, any suggestion on how to cover a not-in-use real fireplace?d

dcwho

Cannot afford to take down the fireplace and the surrounding, as it costs quite a lot, and the breast is supporting the staircase above it as well. but worried about cold air coming in during winter as it is real fireplace with the chimney goes all the way to the roof. What i am hoping to achieve is to block the chimney, or block the opening with some fake fireplace

And i forgot to mention that it is gas fire at the moment, which we are going to disconnect the gas while updating the central heating.

Any suggestions on finding good looking fireplace screen or should i just insert some fake fireplace to cover it up? Thank you!

dcwho

no one~~:(

Is it a difficult question or is it too simple?

Doozergirl

http://www.chimney-balloon.co.uk/shop/index.html?gclid=CLm4ruz8gKoCFcsb4QodJjWbyg

The even cheaper way is to put a carrier bag up there full of scrunched newspaper or stuffing.

cte1111

I've got a tapestry screen that I inherited from a relative. You can actually pick these up for about £20 in antique shops if you are lucky. My Aunt had one that she got for about that price a couple of years ago. I think as lots of people don't have proper fireplaces anymore they aren't fashionable so reasonably priced.

There are some on ebay, depends where you live to see if you could pick them up:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/vintage-Embroidered-FireScreen-22-x-16-5-inches-/290586788348?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Decorative_Accents_LE&hash=item43a85281fc#ht_500wt_1156

olias

What exatly is there already? Is the gas fire in a surround? Is the fire going to be removed or just connected etc etc etc etc. You have not given enough information.

Assuming you are going to have the fire removed and the gas capped off, and any associated surround removed, then you will have to leave a vent in place for the through flow of air, or the chimney breast will end up getting damp.

Olias

dcwho

olias wrote: »

What exatly is there already? Is the gas fire in a surround? Is the fire going to be removed or just connected etc etc etc etc. You have not given enough information.

Assuming you are going to have the fire removed and the gas capped off, and any associated surround removed, then you will have to leave a vent in place for the through flow of air, or the chimney breast will end up getting damp.

Olias

it is still a gas fireplace which had been using by the previous owner of the house. I can't afford to take it down, as the chimney goes all the way up through the bedroom upstairs, to the roof.

I just want to cover it up or block the chimney, in order to keep the cold air from coming in in the winter.

dcwho

Doozergirl wrote: »

http://www.chimney-balloon.co.uk/shop/index.html?gclid=CLm4ruz8gKoCFcsb4QodJjWbyg

The even cheaper way is to put a carrier bag up there full of scrunched newspaper or stuffing.

looks really simple and cheap, amazing! but does it really work? any previous experience?

saxonrosecliff

We used a chimney balloon for about two years until we could afford to do up the whole room where the fireplace was. It was successful but we had to re-inflate it from time to time which was a messy job as once you take it out all the bits that have come down the chimney come out as well (or perhaps that's just our house).

dcwho

saxonrosecliff wrote: »

We used a chimney balloon for about two years until we could afford to do up the whole room where the fireplace was. It was successful but we had to re-inflate it from time to time which was a messy job as once you take it out all the bits that have come down the chimney come out as well (or perhaps that's just our house).

hmmm, not sure if that is what i am hoping to do...would a fitted electric fireplace solve this problem? or a decorative fireplace?

Paul_the_Painter

What are you trying to do?

Serious question!

Are you trying to stop the cold air coming in? Or are you trying to disguise the fireplace? Or both?

If you trying to stop the cold air, use the balloon. If you are trying to disguise it, use a screen.

If you are trying to do a bit of both, when the gas is disconnected, you can just chuck the old gas fire in the skip, then put a balloon up the chimney and put a "feature" in the fireplace (flowers/screen/sculpture).

dcwho

Paul_the_Painter wrote: »

What are you trying to do?

Serious question!

Are you trying to stop the cold air coming in? Or are you trying to disguise the fireplace? Or both?

If you trying to stop the cold air, use the balloon. If you are trying to disguise it, use a screen.

If you are trying to do a bit of both, when the gas is disconnected, you can just chuck the old gas fire in the skip, then put a balloon up the chimney and put a "feature" in the fireplace (flowers/screen/sculpture).

Thank you! i guess my main purpose is stopping cold air from coming in, however while doing it, i also have to make it look nice, because we are currently spending quite a lot on updating the place