Solid fuel fireplace

Leif

I'm still pondering what to do with an existing solid fuel fireplace. The old ugly stone hearth and surround are gone, and the floor in front of the fireplace where the old hearth was is patched with mortar, and level. The fireplace is small, with a fire brick insert, the kind with three sides. The alternatives are:

a) Install a slabbed hearth and back panel (the bit that goes on the wall, around the opening, Google 'granite back panel' to see what I mean) and a hearth. This uses the existing fire brick insert.

b) Or remove the fire brick insert, and open out the fireplace, being careful not to touch the lintel, or any brick work. The opened out fireplace would basically be a box, with the flue at the top. I then install a hearth, batch the plaster to the edge of the opening, paint the plaster, and add a wood surround. Clearly the fireplace would be decorative although a stove could be installed at a later date. I would probably put in a decorative vase with dried flowers in it.

Option a) has the disadvantage that the back panel is VERY heavy, and a slabbed one is not cheap.

I like b), but it seems more risky, and I have qualms about knocking out the insert. Is it hard to remove the fire brick insert? Would it just be a brick interior, and would it look okay, or would I have to do work on it to make it look okay? Is there any risk of structural damage. I assume once the insert has gone, I repair around the edge of the opening with fire cement say, and then something like Easifill to blend with the wall plaster.

Also, if using a wood burning stove, would I need a slabbed hearth or would for example a non slabbed granite one be okay?

And given the small size of the fireplace, would it be possible to find a stove to match?

Canucklehead

Leif wrote: »

I'm still pondering what to do with an existing solid fuel fireplace. The old ugly stone hearth and surround are gone, and the floor in front of the fireplace where the old hearth was is patched with mortar, and level. The fireplace is small, with a fire brick insert, the kind with three sides. The alternatives are:

a) Install a slabbed hearth and back panel (the bit that goes on the wall, around the opening, Google 'granite back panel' to see what I mean) and a hearth. This uses the existing fire brick insert.

b) Or remove the fire brick insert, and open out the fireplace, being careful not to touch the lintel, or any brick work. The opened out fireplace would basically be a box, with the flue at the top. I then install a hearth, batch the plaster to the edge of the opening, paint the plaster, and add a wood surround. Clearly the fireplace would be decorative although a stove could be installed at a later date. I would probably put in a decorative vase with dried flowers in it.

Option a) has the disadvantage that the back panel is VERY heavy, and a slabbed one is not cheap.

I like b), but it seems more risky, and I have qualms about knocking out the insert. Is it hard to remove the fire brick insert? Would it just be a brick interior, and would it look okay, or would I have to do work on it to make it look okay? Is there any risk of structural damage. I assume once the insert has gone, I repair around the edge of the opening with fire cement say, and then something like Easifill to blend with the wall plaster.

Also, if using a wood burning stove, would I need a slabbed hearth or would for example a non slabbed granite one be okay?

And given the small size of the fireplace, would it be possible to find a stove to match?

Hi...a couple of HETAS installers and sweeps post over here
(you'll have to pick your way through the dodgy advice posted by some other folks as well:eek:) In the meantime, this site is an excellent resource for all things stove related.

HTH

Canucklehead

rustyboy21

Leif wrote: »

I'm still pondering what to do with an existing solid fuel fireplace. The old ugly stone hearth and surround are gone, and the floor in front of the fireplace where the old hearth was is patched with mortar, and level. The fireplace is small, with a fire brick insert, the kind with three sides. The alternatives are:

a) Install a slabbed hearth and back panel (the bit that goes on the wall, around the opening, Google 'granite back panel' to see what I mean) and a hearth. This uses the existing fire brick insert.

b) Or remove the fire brick insert, and open out the fireplace, being careful not to touch the lintel, or any brick work. The opened out fireplace would basically be a box, with the flue at the top. I then install a hearth, batch the plaster to the edge of the opening, paint the plaster, and add a wood surround. Clearly the fireplace would be decorative although a stove could be installed at a later date. I would probably put in a decorative vase with dried flowers in it.

Option a) has the disadvantage that the back panel is VERY heavy, and a slabbed one is not cheap.

I like b), but it seems more risky, and I have qualms about knocking out the insert. Is it hard to remove the fire brick insert? Would it just be a brick interior, and would it look okay, or would I have to do work on it to make it look okay? Is there any risk of structural damage. I assume once the insert has gone, I repair around the edge of the opening with fire cement say, and then something like Easifill to blend with the wall plaster.

Also, if using a wood burning stove, would I need a slabbed hearth or would for example a non slabbed granite one be okay?

And given the small size of the fireplace, would it be possible to find a stove to match?

It is not hard really to knock out a firebrick, however be ready for the mother of soot downfalls, even if you have had the flue swept ! I found old bottles ( know the ones with the marble in them and a victorian fork , must have been eating his chips in the front room of my house one day !). There will be approx a foot of soot and debris behind it.

Why don't you seal the flue up, so there is no wind, you can buy a chimney balloon for that ( sold on ebay )

You can get lightweight marble back panel and hearths and even laminate ones from the sheds esp B&Q. Then get a cheap surround and an electric fire if you don't want heat, just a glow. There are some good deals at the moment on elctric suites even .

This is a chimney balloon

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/small-Chimney-Balloon-save-money-stop-heat-loss-15-x-9-/220891659328?pt=UK_HG_FireplacesMantelpieces_RL&hash=item336e2b3c40

That retailer also has a wood srround on there and an electric fire which would sit in the chairbrick too, which would look like a coal fire but with a glow.

Hope above helps

rustyboy21

sorry leif, rushed through reading your post.

Are you looking at putting a firestool in there to burn coal etc?

If so you would need a slabbed hearth and pref a slabbed back panel too.

If you were to take the chairbrick out, you would find it messy and you may need to put a lintel in. You may find the opening a bit small too and some flues cannot be opened too big aswell.

If you are looking down the solid fuel route, get a hetas fitter in to look, if you just want a fireplace for a focal point, look at my post above, you could do all that yourself

Leif

I have looked at electric fires, but I don't really like them, I prefer the look of the real fire, even if it is not used. I suppose I might burn some logs occasionally, but not often.

The soot would not really be an issue, as there is no carpet in the room, just bare screed. I am a little concerned about maybe having to put a lintel in were I to remove the fireback as that is non trivial.

Canucklehead wrote: »

Hi...a couple of HETAS installers and sweeps post over here
(you'll have to pick your way through the dodgy advice posted by some other folks as well:eek:) In the meantime, this site is an excellent resource for all things stove related.

HTH

Canucklehead

Thanks. It looks like I would probably have to install a liner if I wanted a stove and that would add a lot of cost.

Leif

This is the fireplace:





The walls and ceiling are now painted. Does anyone see any reason not to expect a structural lintel to be above the opening? I believe I am safe to knock out the firebrick insert, and the packing behind it.

ormus

i would expect to see a simple lintel via a flat steel plate.
most of em stay in pretty fair condition. (considering their age). ive seen the odd one that was rusting away.
removing the firebricks should be safe enough.

Leif

ormus wrote: »

i would expect to see a simple lintel via a flat steel plate.
most of em stay in pretty fair condition. (considering their age). ive seen the odd one that was rusting away.
removing the firebricks should be safe enough.

Thanks. ...

rustyboy21

Looks like you should be ok.

Just be prepared for soot! If you have a cylinder hoover, you might be better putting the hose down the back of it first , to get some of the soot out. You should be able to just use a hammer and bolster to get it out. If there is a 'throat' on it ( would be right behind the plaster work in the wall ), DON'T take that out. It could be used as a lintel instead.

Just be ready for soot,soot,soot and be aware, when you take the chairbrick out, more than likely you will find the chamber is wider than you thought.

Leif

rustyboy21 wrote: »

Looks like you should be ok.

Just be prepared for soot! If you have a cylinder hoover, you might be better putting the hose down the back of it first , to get some of the soot out. You should be able to just use a hammer and bolster to get it out. If there is a 'throat' on it ( would be right behind the plaster work in the wall ), DON'T take that out. It could be used as a lintel instead.

Just be ready for soot,soot,soot and be aware, when you take the chairbrick out, more than likely you will find the chamber is wider than you thought.

There is a throat, which rests on the top of the fire brick insert. From what I have read it is not a true structural lintel, though I will check to see if it is inserted into the brick work, in which case it could be structural.

I will try and remove plaster above the opening to locate the structural lintel. I'd rather know for sure what is there.