what to do with these bits of new house?

suered

Dear all, can't rip out, but don't want to leave as is - two sides of the same chimney. (There is a back boiler behind the gas fire which is staying for the moment). I'm thinking an awful lot of white or off-white paint - but do I need a special kind? Bogstandard masonry for the bricks, but what about the flinty stuff? Any special prepping?

(oh - and can anyone explain why I couldn't just paste the photos in?)
Thanks



http://www.flickr.com/photos/66543462@N02/7538648222/in/photostream/

rustyboy21

The floor to celining brick chimney breast could be covered by plasterboard quite easily, then you could paper it to make it an accent feature in the room. Also if you never use the fire, but obviously still need it there with still using the back boiler, you could cover the fire over with a custom made radiator cover, as long as whoever makes it allows the required amount of aeration holes to allow for the BBU to still operate.

The lower fireplace would be best painting it. You would have to do a few coats, or give it a good undercoat first, so the top coat doesn't soak all the way in. I have seen one done with a watered down emulsion, which came out quite nice and really brightened the room up.

Hope above helps

suered

Rustyboy, DOH on the plasterboard front - of course!!! Blindingly obvious solution now that you've pointed it out Thank you.

Canucklehead

O.P.: do not cover the fire front to your back boiler with anything. Further information is available from Gas Safe Register and the boiler manufacturer.

Canucklehead

suered

Canucklehead, thanks for the reminder - but I'm ok to plasterboard around the gas fire, yes? Just not cover it.

I will probably be back to pick your brains shortly on possible boiler replacement strategy, if I may?