What options for fireplace/chimney?

longwalks1

Was thinking of fitting a wood burning stove in our 1930's semi last year, but after thinking of the cost and work involved and the fact we would have to buy the wood or coal to burn, I'm having second thoughts, so wondering what other options are there?

Not too fussed on it actually providing heat, so what could we put in place of the current, dated electric fire with fake coals in it? (looks awful)

Open the space out and make a feature for something? Or can you buy realistic looking fires purely for the look? Any suggestions please?

glasgowdan

Get rid of it all, plaster up and redecorate. Maybe brick over the gap or plaster it square and plain and put a nice leafy house plant in the space. Fit a nice stand alone mantelpiece. It'll look ace

phil24_7

If your not bothered about the heat then put a fake fire in the hole that is in keeping with the age and style of the house.

Davesnave

I had a gas coal fire in my old house, but it was pretty efficient and I spent out on a made to measure fireplace to go with it, so not cheap.

I found it almost as nice as the wood burning stove I must have now from necessity, and of course it was much less work.

To me, a fireplace in a house is fundamental, and the idea of doing away with it seems to ignore something which taps into a primitive human need. It's like the difference between having a great piece of art on the wall, albeit a copy, and some bit of tat from the market.

A wood burner isn't a sensible choice for many in an urban, long working hours environment, but I'd always want a proper fire, not just something that played at it.

glasgowdan

Davesnave wrote: »

I had a gas coal fire in my old house, but it was pretty efficient and I spent out on a made to measure fireplace to go with it, so not cheap.

I found it almost as nice as the wood burning stove I must have now from necessity, and of course it was much less work.

To me, a fireplace in a house is fundamental, and the idea of doing away with it seems to ignore something which taps into a primitive human need. It's like the difference between having a great piece of art on the wall, albeit a copy, and some bit of tat from the market.

A wood burner isn't a sensible choice for many in an urban, long working hours environment, but I'd always want a proper fire, not just something that played at it.

I didn't miss the fireplace in my last house at all. It's modern living, those white metal things on the walls heat things up!
Getting rid of the hearth increased space in the room. We were able to out a sofa in that spot which worked much better with the room.

Got a wood stove now, as a largely aesthetic piece. I'd happily live without it though!

Furts

Davesnave wrote: »

I had a gas coal fire in my old house, but it was pretty efficient and I spent out on a made to measure fireplace to go with it, so not cheap.

I found it almost as nice as the wood burning stove I must have now from necessity, and of course it was much less work.

To me, a fireplace in a house is fundamental, and the idea of doing away with it seems to ignore something which taps into a primitive human need. It's like the difference between having a great piece of art on the wall, albeit a copy, and some bit of tat from the market.

A wood burner isn't a sensible choice for many in an urban, long working hours environment, but I'd always want a proper fire, not just something that played at it.

I go with this but add an extra perspective. When one is looking at say a 1930s house it is always an added feature if original fittings like a fireplace are present. Good quality fireplaces continued being made through susbsequent generations adding extra value and features to a home. Why rip out something that is desirable just because of a perceived fashion, or whim?

Davesnave

Yes, that house was a 30s semi we bought from friends, who'd removed many of the original features.

Fortunately, the owner before them had done the fenestration, so we didn't inherit the shop window fishbowl at the front that most others were installing at the time. I couldn't see the point of those when the house was probably a little over-windowed originally. It was just fashion. Now things have swung the other way again.

It's difficult staying true to type though. Here, we removed the country kitchen Aga, because it was inefficient and we couldn't justify the expense of running it alongside ch and a wood burner.

It's taken a while, but most of the major players in the wood burner market are now producing gas models which people would be hard-pressed to tell from the real thing. We were in a country retail shop on Friday and I was fooled by one of those.

J_B

DD2 took a fireplace out ....

Started on the roof and worked down, dropping the bricks down the chimney as they went ... leaving a much bigger space upstairs and down.

Hmmm, just noticed you used the word 'semi' ... may not be possible!

tonyh66

J_B wrote: »

DD2 took a fireplace out ....

Started on the roof and worked down, dropping the bricks down the chimney as they went ... leaving a much bigger space upstairs and down.

Hmmm, just noticed you used the word 'semi' ... may not be possible!

I think DD2 took a chimney out not a fireplace.........

Davesnave

There was a thread on here recently, where the OP thought he had proof his semi detached neighbour was removing the chimney breasts on the other side.

As I pointed out at the time, happily, there is only one way the chimney's likely to go.....

longwalks1

Thanks everyone, I think now we are swaying towards a modern electric fireplace, with the flame effect when its on. Is there a preferred manufacturer of them? I've seen some for as little as £150 but they look very 'fake' and a little dated, as its going to be a lot easier (and less hassle) to fit, we can spend more on the right item, so any suggestions?

And does electric heat 'feel'? We have an electric fan heater and its a blower type of heat, are electric fires the same?