Who installs an open fire fireplace?

efirox

Hi all, we recently  bought a 1930s housing with a gas fireplace. We had the unit removed and the gas capped, we also had someone around to sweep the chimney.

But I cannot find anyone to give me some advice and install bits for an open fire. We will need a hearth, maybe vents and a proper fire resistant back as the chimney just has bricks.

Nobody seems to be able or interested in doing this, they only do stove installations. 

Any ideas on who I can contact please? I've tried shops, mybuilder, HETAS website etc

Thank you 

FreeBear

To be honest, an open fire is neither pleasant to use nor very efficient. Way too easy for hot embers to be spat out and ruining a carpet (or even setting the place on fire). A stove is way more efficient, safer, and can kick out a surprising amount of heat. The down side is you need quite a bit of space to store the fuel somewhere dry, but that would be the same for an open fire.

Bendy_House

Hi Efi.

I'm with FB - a stove makes FAR more sense;
1) it is more efficient by a long chalk

2) it is cleaner

3) it is safer

4) and will probably cost less to fit.
5) when not in use, an open flue will send your house's heat straight up to keep the seagulls wheeling above, whereas with a stove you just 'shut that door'. 
6) and, if you like open flames - and who doesn't - then you just open the stove door (just choose a model with a 180o door)

Both types of real fire will require a fair amount of work to install. But I suspect that literally building a new fireplace - that lovely shaped firebrick recess - will cost as much, possibly more, than clearing the old insert out, making good, and shoving in a small log burner.

If the opening is too small, then options are to open it wider, or fit the new stove proud at the front.

I have an open fire, and love it. But, starting again, I know what I'd go for instead.

stuart45

The installation of open fireplaces has always been part of the bricklaying apprenticeship, although nowadays an open fire is not so common. 
It does come into building regs, although a HETAS fitter can self certify.
I can tell you how to do it if you really want an open fire, and want to DIY it.

maisie_cat

HETAS is the professional body for solid fuel, dealing with all aspects, you can self install but you will need to notify building control yourself. When we had our chimney swept in August the HETAS guy told us that was a backlog because it seems that everybody is getting a stove installed at the moment

FreeBear

Bendy_House said: If the opening is too small, then options are to open it wider, or fit the new stove proud at the front.

You should select a stove based on required heat output and physical size rather than trying to shoehorn an oversized stove in. Something in the 4-5KW range is more than adequate for most average sized rooms (4x4m), and the Salamander Hobbit will fit in the smallest of fireplaces if you are pushed for space. If you have a "standard" opening and want something a little more modern, there are a number of inset stoves that will slot in to most fireplaces once all the crud has been cleared out. e.g. The Arada i400 - Although, for my money, I'd go for a Stovax Riva 50 with the air duct kit.

efirox

Thank you all for the replies, the main issue with the stove is the cost, min 2k for a basic stove. This is assuming no extra work is required.

I am trying to find a more cost effective solution, I would prefer to have someone install it and check it works fine to avoid setting the house on fire. 

Mutton_Geoff

An open fire is an ecological disaster. Even when it's under full chat, it's drawing so much air from the room, including the air you just heated, it's a big waste of money. I've put log burners into several houses replacing open fires and experienced the before and after. £2,000 will soon be recovered and in any case will add to the value of your property. Some things are worth moneysaving, an open fireplace is not one of them.

Eldi_Dos

Do not know if this would work but might be worth a try.

Get in touch with local college and see if there are any apprentice bricklayers who may be glad of doing this work, especially if it is a section of the course were it is difficult to get hands on experience.

MalMonroe

The problem with open fires is that you cannot now just burn any old rubbish you want to in it. Years ago you could but that was before all the clean air acts. I know of two people who are currently having woodburners installed and I just think it's a bit anti-social. They think they will be able to burn their own logs on them but they have to burn treated wood, not just any old stuff. I just think it's a totally backward step.

It is far kinder to the community and everyone else to not have fires burning in our homes.

I recently saw the documentary about the London smog in the 1950s and how it was added to by all the fires burning in people's homes. Many people died simply because of the smoke in their lungs.

I agree with those, especially Mutton_Geoff, above, who think it's a totally bad idea. And I'd beg you to have a rethink.

plumb1_2

If you really want a open fire, quiet easy to replace the fire back and sides, you can buy a ready made precast fireback. Or use fire bricks.
If you wanna be a money saver fit a backboiler linked to your cylinder, but you might have to change the cylinder to a direct with a indirect coil if you have central heating.
Used to replace back boilers in half a day, knock out , replace and rebuild.

But as others have said best to go with a Stove.