Moving / hiding pipes

Common_sense

In our lounge there are some pipes boxed in to the side of the fireplace, I presume these are central heating pipes. The asymmetry is really annoying.

How much would it cost to move these or hide them differently. All ideas welcome although I've already decided that a similar 'boxed-in' appearance on the other side is not an option as our TV is too big!

Ultimately I am aiming for alcove cupboards on both sides but symmetry is important! HELP!

Pictures here:

PasturesNew

As they lead to a gas fire, my guess is at least one of them's gas.

A very expensive "move" for a bit of annoyance. Only you notice it. Move your sofa so you can only see one side of the fireplace and you won't notice it

phill99

As above. A big job for a minor outcome.

TheCyclingProgrammer

An alternative would be to remove the existing framework used to box in the pipes, then build a new framework that finishes flush with the front of the fireplace, construct the same on the other side, line with plasterboard and pay a plasterer to re-skim the whole lot, shouldn't cost more an £200-300 all in I think if you can do some of the work yourself.

You may need to remove coving back to the corners and skirting board and re-fit after. So depends how much it bothers you!

If you intend to mount a TV on the fireplace you could use the void on the left side to conceal cables and have them exit through a brush plate on the side, where your alcove cupboards will be.

We effectively boxed in the whole of our chimney breast (fireplace removed) with a recess left to accommodate a wall mount and flex outlet for the TV and ran the cables inside the void. Built the alcove units myself, got a carpenter to build the stud framework and alcove shelves and had the whole lot skimmed along with the rest of the room when we were renovating. Looks great I think!

SailorSam

I can't tell from your photo whether it would fit, but how hid c/h pipes that went up in the corner of the lounge was, with a piece of coving. There was enough space at the back of the coving, then the quarter round on show i papered over.

phil24_7

If they cannot be re-routed somewhere else in the house or if this is likely to be cost prohibitive then I would do as TCP has said. Box out to the front of the fireplace and do the same on the other side. Sort the skirting and the coving and the jobs a good 'un!

missbiggles1

Common_sense wrote: »

In our lounge there are some pipes boxed in to the side of the fireplace, I presume these are central heating pipes. The asymmetry is really annoying.

How much would it cost to move these or hide them differently. All ideas welcome although I've already decided that a similar 'boxed-in' appearance on the other side is not an option as our TV is too big!

Ultimately I am aiming for alcove cupboards on both sides but symmetry is important! HELP!

Pictures here:

It's likely to be cheaper to buy a different TV than to do a more complicated bodge.

martinthebandit

If your looking to put cupboards both sides of the fireplace surely the cupboard doors will sit in front of and hide, the pipes anyway?

TheCyclingProgrammer

martinthebandit wrote: »

If your looking to put cupboards both sides of the fireplace surely the cupboard doors will sit in front of and hide, the pipes anyway?

I expect OP was only planning cupboards around 0.8-1.2m high, not full height, so boxing in will still be visible in the alcove.

Here's a bit of inspiration for OP anyway. This is what we started with not long after moving in - at this point all we'd done was remove the old fireplace and hearth (safely capped off, our pipes were under the floor), removed skirting boards (we were having the entire room plastered), removed coving back to the corners and mounted the TV. You might be able to see just how wonky the edges of the chimney breast were!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ana09jzqyg1oqt4/Photo%2029-03-2015%2023%2000%2011.jpg?dl=0

This shows the frame being built, similar to what I suggested you do:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3e4qw34xqdcql5s/Photo%2023-04-2015%2C%2012%2042%2029.jpg?dl=0

And then the end result, lined, plastered, decorated, flooring in place, cupboards in, shelves not yet done.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/a2u0tec8zrgy7gt/Photo%2010-08-2015%2014%2008%2056.jpg?dl=0

southcoastrgi

They look like the flow & return pipes for rads (either up or down depending how your heating is piped) the cost of re-routing depends again how it's piped

Ruski

They're the old Back boiler pipes which look to have been modified to suit the CH changes over the years.

If they're dead, take them out, if they're live then extend the chimney breast either side to gain symmetry.

IMHO

HTH

Russ