Opening up fireplace

bigriggers

Hi guys,

I'm thinking about opening up this fireplace, though most of the guides refer to chimneys with the flue inside the living room, whereas in this house it is on the exterior wall. Is it likely I can just remove the cladding and will find a recess?
I'd like to put in a faux wood burner.

Link

Thanks.

Doozergirl

The gas fire is sat in the recess.

By all means take the cladding off. If you can get behind the plaster, the brickwork will tell you how large the original opening is.

Bear in mind that however far you open it, the opening needs to be supported.

FreeBear

Doozergirl wrote: »

By all means take the cladding off. If you can get behind the plaster, the brickwork will tell you how large the original opening is.

Measure the width of the stack outside and then subtract 16" or 400mm to get a rough idea of the width. The height will most likely be around 4" (150mm) above the top of the gas fire. If the trim around the fire comes off, there may be a gap to shine a torch in to see how much space is in there.