Bendy flue?

downshifted

We are talking to builders about a loft conversion. There is a chimney that runs up through the centre of the bungalow - and would inconveniently be smack in the middle of my large new loft bedroom.

The builder suggested taking out the chimney - but I like the option of a fire. We do not have an outside wall to put another fire on - we have too many windows. We have a modern gas fire at present, but a flue liner was not required as the chimney was ok.

Is there a way of keeping the fire, using a flue that goes up the original chimney into the loft conversion, then under the floor boards to the edge of the new room and up through the roof? A friend thinks they saw this on one of the building programmes

Many thanks for any help and advice

ormus

yes its possible, but with limitations.

the total height of the flue is related to the maximum length of horizontal flue.
and the diameter of the flue too.

you need to check with the gas fire makers.

rustyboy21

You will also have to take into account that the flue liner may need to be twin walled in certain areas, which are more exposed to cooler temperatures, ie thru the loft space, possibly under floorboards.

A Copex liner, which you have thought is ok to use, is not really designed to do things like you are after, they are used for lining a faulty flue, or for things like back boilers. If you do need to go down the twin walled flue route, it will end up expensive. Also take into account that even if the fire was able to cope with something like this, you usually find that for every bend in the pipe, you will lose 1m of flue length. Putting bends in a liner, restricts the draw of the flue. The more bends the less draw, any more than 3 and it wont work.

Have you thought of maybe putting the liner through the chimney stack downstairs, putting it vertically up through the loft conversion, but insulating around it and then plasterboarding around it. Then where it goes through the roof, use twin walled liner and end with a terminal on the top? You may be able to get away with a 'column' of approx 12'' square in the room. Remember you will also need to take the chimney stack down, as there is nothing supporting the weight underneath it.

This is obviously dependant on whether your existing fire is capable and suitable to be used with a liner, some are not. I would really suggest you have a word and a survey from your local fireplace shop. They will normally know more about fires and flues than a builder and can steer you in the right direction.

Any recommendations on using a flueless fire from anyone, take no notice, not worth the aggro you will have at a later date.


Hope above helps

Canucklehead

downshifted wrote: »

We are talking to builders about a loft conversion. There is a chimney that runs up through the centre of the bungalow - and would inconveniently be smack in the middle of my large new loft bedroom.

The builder suggested taking out the chimney - but I like the option of a fire. We do not have an outside wall to put another fire on - we have too many windows. We have a modern gas fire at present, but a flue liner was not required as the chimney was ok.

Is there a way of keeping the fire, using a flue that goes up the original chimney into the loft conversion, then under the floor boards to the edge of the new room and up through the roof? A friend thinks they saw this on one of the building programmes

Many thanks for any help and advice

Good morning: a RGI, after conducting a site survey and discussing your requirements, would be best placed to advise...more here.

HTH

Canucklehead

downshifted

Thank you for all your helpful replies - I'll investigate further and let you know what happens

downshifted

Just to keep my promise to let you know what is happening.......work on the loft starts on Monday....chimney is going and so is the fire. Fortunately we can have it fitted in my daughter's house. Thinking about a flueless gas fire for the future.

Thanks to you all for your suggestions

keystone

downshifted wrote: »

Thinking about a flueless gas fire for the future.

Banish the thought to perdition before it flourishes.

Cheers

downshifted

Would it be possible to have a gas fire on an outside wall, venting straight through the wall? (I've learned the lesson - not flueless!)

If so, are there restrictions on how close windows can be?

No chimney now (nice loft conversion) but still looking for a focal point for the sitting room

Many thanks for any suggestions

muckybutt

Yes that is possible, what you are wanting is called a balanced flue gas fire. The fire is situated behind a sealed glass front and a flue is installed through the back of the fire to the outside wall, this is where the fire gets its oxygen and emits the flue gasses.

ed110220

Could you not have one of those electric hologram fires or whatever they are called, if your intention is to have a focal point rather than a heat source?

rustyboy21

ed110220 wrote: »

Could you not have one of those electric hologram fires or whatever they are called, if your intention is to have a focal point rather than a heat source?

A lot of people don't like the look of an electric fire, even ones like the Valor Dimension range, which is the holographic ones you mention, just not as realistic to some.

Balanced flue is where to go, if you want a gas fire. There are restrictions, but it is only round 1m restriction from windows, so if you can cope with that, you should be ok.

They are more expensive than normal gas fires, will be circa £600-£6000 for a decent BF gas fire