Existing Fireplace Can I make it Bigger

bujin

Hi All. I have an existing fireplace and we're hoping to fit a Multi Fuel Stove. The actual fireplace is relatively small and due to the requirements to have a gap around the Stove, we'd probably have to have the stove brought forward with a rear attachment to a flue.

Anyone had to do this and have any comments/advice?

My question is can we make the opening to the chimney bigger, what precautions would we need to take. At the front of the fireplace is a small metal lintel.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Kiran

How old is the house. You normally have a builders opening which is a large opening which is then closed up to suit the appliance being installed e.g. a gas fire. You can open up to the builders opening very easily as a diy job. If however you haven't got a larger lintel above forming a builders opening then you need to install a new lintel. Whilst it is possible to do its not recommended if you are not experienced. Take a look at https://www.stovefittersmanual.co.uk it's a very good source of information and much more than can be written in a forum post.

bujin

Thank you for this and sorry for the late response. I won't be doing the work myself and will be getting an HETAS installer for the stove and builder to fit and then make up the surround.

I can see what you mean. The Lintel does sit quite low and there wouldn't be scope to open up as you say without raising the lintel. My only reason for doing this would be to allow the circulation around the stove without having to bring it out into the room. However it sounds as though it wouldn't actually change much if I did raise the height because the depth of the fireplace is pretty shallow too.

The measurements are;
24cm(D) 44(W) 55(H)

We want about an 8kw stove, so I wonder if anyone has had to bring the stove out and what sort of surround you went for given that the surround won't actually be around the stove as such.