What to do with my coalfire

Photoframe55

I have a coalfire, which I've not used for about 10 years.
I had the chimney blocked off at the top a couple of years ago, because it kept letting in water and I was never going to use it again anyway. 

And, It has just got left like that.     
I don't particularly need a fire of any type really, and definitely don't want to get a gas fire put in.   
So, at the moment, the rooms being redecorated ,  due to  insurance work, and suddenly thought I would change the very nice, but outdated fire surround while I had the opportunity.   
But its pointless the coalfire place being left as it is.  
I want to have a fireplace, and I could maybe have an electric fire
  but to be honest I don't know anything about what I do with the coal fireplace that's there.      
I presume that it would all have to be taken out?     
 but is it a huge job?   
Will it cost a fortune?
I was just going to change the actual surround but it's a bit pointless leaving the coalfire in ?? 
Can anyone advise me please?
I'm sorry if this sounds a bit vague, it's just something that I know nothing about.     Thanks. 

[Deleted User]

Hi,

just get it blocked off with an air vent at bottom.

Then something like this, 

Bendy_House

A photo of it would really help, PF55.

When you say it was 'blocked off' at the top, was it with a venting cover?

You have a huge range of options, from all manner of surrounds, to none at all - eg a floating oak lintel. 

Depending on design, the actual 'fireplace' can stay or be removed. The latter WILL mean a lot of dust and mess, but that's what dust sheets are for. After removal, the rectangular opening will need finishing. 

Perhaps best to retain the fire insert, then, clean it up and plonk lots of candles in there, for example?

Bendy_House

Ah, you want an electric fire there? In which, almost certainly the existing insert needs to come out.

What will the purpose of this electric fire be? 'Effect', or to provide actual heat? Hopefully just the former (as leccy is expensive). If so, could an effect be obtained from flickering candles - a more real flame? Or even - for special occasions (Chrimbo, for example) - a biofuel tray, with proper flames?

To remove the actual fireplace will almost certainly be the biggest cost, will be the messiest, and will lose you an original feature. 

Photo, please?

Photoframe55

Thank you for your replies.

 I haven't got a photo at the minute because I am not living at home due to having to move out because of an insurance claim. 

Which is why I'm thinking now is the time to do anything if I want to because the room is under repair and will be being redecorated.

 The house isn't old it's only 30 years old but the fire is a coal fire.

 I've never liked having a coal fire and not used it a great deal.

 But I don't use it whatsoever now. 

The fireplace surround is a lovely surround and probably quite expensive but I can't stand it. 😂

So I suddenly thought while the room is under repair and going to be redecorated now would perhaps be the time to do something with it. Otherwise it's not going to get done for a long time because as I say, it's being repaired now and redecorated so obviously I'm not going to then start with the fireplace after that 

But I am absolutely blank on something like this and I don't really know what my options are. 

I did think it would just be a case of replacing the actual surround and the hearth but then I thought, should I, or do I have to even, remove the actual inside of the fire for want of a better word. 

I'm not bothered about having a fire because I've not used it for years anyway but I do want my fireplace. 

Whether to put something in just for effect or something maybe, but I don't know the best way to go on this

I don't want to spend a fortune but I don't want to leave the old inside of the fire in etc, if it has to come out, obviously.

I had huge chimney pot taken off the top and and smaller one  put on I think with a vent? I'm a bit blank on it at the moment but I can get it checked.    Thanks for any advice anyone can offer for the easiest, cheapest but satisfactory resolution.  😁

stuart45

You could leave the fireback in place of you like. A 30 year old chimney might have a pre-cast flue system.

[Deleted User]

Photoframe55 said:

The fireplace surround is a lovely surround and probably quite expensive but I can't stand it. 😂

Hi,

don't smash it up, folks are looking for stuff like that.

Bendy_House

Good info, PF.

That fire IS now currently out of commission as the pot has been changed. Anyone can restore it later if they wish, but that's their call. 

(I don't like coal fired either, but love wood fires - which is what I burn in mine.)

Ok, you've been given your two basic options!

1) Change the fire surround and hearth to one that you like, and leave the fireplace insert itself - the grate, the shaped firebricks, the front grill thingy. Fill it with pine cones, lumps of wood, candles, flowers, whatevs. Even fill with LED lights.

For this, advertise the surround and hearth on Fb Marketplace, with 'buyer removes'. Or, get someone to remove it first. Research what you have, as it could be worth summat.
 Then have your preferred choice of surround fitted. The new hearth doesn't have to be as big as it's decorative only.

2) Remove everything - surround, fireplace inserts and hearth. Have the resulting opening lined and finished off, and fit either a wooden mantle above, or a complete new surround. What you do with the rectangular opening is up to you. Vase of flowers? A free-standing cast-iron grate filled with the previous suggestions?

What to do? Google images of fireplaces until you find what you like. Then come back and ask on here how easy it would be to do?

(Do you have old sales particulars that show your current fp?)

[Deleted User]

Hi,

any chance of a photie?

markin

Many people are going out to buy coal to start using them again with the price cap heading to £4K for some people.

Photoframe55

Hi and thanks for the  replies. I'm sorry I disappeared but I'm not in very good health.

 So the top and bottom of it is, if I were to have the inside of the fire taken out so to speak it would be a big job? 

But I could just replace the surround and the hearth? 

I have builders who are going back to work at my house shortly, on the insurance job that is being carried out, how much work would it be for them to do that for me? Obviously I would have to sort it out with them in some way.    

While I am having work carried out it just seems pointless to not have the fireplace done at the same time, as I have hated it for years. And obviously I'm not going to get the room repaired and redecorated and then do the fireplace after that.  

So does the chimney at the bottom need blocking up or anything?