Options for fireplace removal

chamelious

keith969 wrote: »

I thought the same, so I removed the TV.

I assume this is more unhelpful sarcasm directed at the philistine who doesn't love pointless fireplaces (me). In which case - ha ha, gud 1 m8, lol, rofl, lmao, etc etc.

FreeBear

I'm with you chamelious - Remove the fireplace & surround, and perhaps look at making the opening larger. You could then use the space for storage, but I suspect you won't be able to go much more than one metre high due to the 'gather'.

What ever you do though, don't skip the fireplace & surround - Shove it up in the loft where the next owner can find it.

My current home had the original fireplaces ripped out during the 70s and the bedrooms were bricked up. The two downstairs were replaced with (at the time) contemporary surrounds and a gas fire in one room. I don't care for the replacements and may consider locating a period fire/surround to replace the gas fire. As for the bedrooms, glad not to have to worry about the draughts & wasted space.

Mojisola

FreeBear wrote: »

Remove the fireplace & surround, and perhaps look at making the opening larger. You could then use the space for storage

Also have to be careful not to affect the chimney from the downstairs fire.

chamelious

Mojisola wrote: »

Also have to be careful not to affect the chimney from the downstairs fire.

Not sure if this matters, but the downstairs fire isnt active, its just a gas thing

Mojisola

chamelious wrote: »

Not sure if this matters, but the downstairs fire isnt active, its just a gas thing

Doesn't it have a flue up the original chimney?

chamelious

Mojisola wrote: »

Doesn't it have a flue up the original chimney?

I don't know. The chimney is still there, as it needs urgent repair in the attic.

FreeBear

Mojisola wrote: »

Also have to be careful not to affect the chimney from the downstairs fire.

As long as the OP just clears out the builder's opening, there should be no need break into the flue from downstairs. Certainly not a good idea to break into the adjoining flue even if it is lined (gas, oil, or solid fuel).

Regardless of what work is done, it would pay to do a smoke test from the fireplace downstairs. If there are any leaks, now is the best time to fix them and avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

sysadmin

When we moved in to our house, not only did we remove the fire places, but we also removed the chimney breasts both up and downstairs.

The extra space we gained in the room was remarkable even though the chimney breasts were not that big . . ..

chamelious

sysadmin wrote: »

When we moved in to our house, not only did we remove the fire places, but we also removed the chimney breasts both up and downstairs.

The extra space we gained in the room was remarkable even though the chimney breasts were not that big . . ..

That's very interesting thanks! Don't think we can do that in a terrace though.

glasgowdan

I'm with you on fireplaces. Ugly things, no matter how "period" they are! Bunch of snoots going on about how they should remain to preserve originality. Life is current and modern.

Our last house, we ripped out a fireplace and back boiler and bricked it all up. It's so good being able to use the wall for a sofa or kids play area instead.

In our current house we ripped out a fireplace and have the wood stove now. Again, a million times nicer.