decorative logs in fireplace...

wallofbeans

I've got a fireplace that isn't in use. It is currently just a black hole in the wall and I thought that filling it with logs might look good. But I wanted to ask if anyone has tried this and if there are drawbacks? Bugs? Smell? Anything else? And any advice what type of logs to get and where to get them?

Thanks!

silvercar

We have done this. I got a couple of logs from a tree surgeon working locally and put them in the fireplace. It doesn’t block the chimney, so I also have a chimney balloon to stop drafts. 

Grenage

If you're worried about bugs then you can get some kiln-dried logs from places like B&M.

ThisIsWeird

Hi WoB.

There is no practical reason to not do this. If they are freshly cut - unseasoned - they should even smell good.

You're chimney is blocked off? How is it capped at the top of the stack? And is there a vent in the fireplace?

twopenny

Dust and cobwebs.
They need maintaining but not a lot.
If you can find cedar wood that smells lovely. Or just ordinary logs with some drops of cedar oil would work

flashg67

We store logs near to our log burner and have some that have some that have been ther close to 2 years with no problems - personally I'd go for seasoned or kiln dried to avoid mould/insects

wallofbeans

ThisIsWeird said:

Hi WoB.

There is no practical reason to not do this. If they are freshly cut - unseasoned - they should even smell good.

You're chimney is blocked off? How is it capped at the top of the stack? And is there a vent in the fireplace?

Chimney isn't blocked off and I'm not sure what "capped at the top of the stack" means, so assume that isn't done either! There is also no vent in the fireplace, as far as I'm aware.

ThisIsWeird

wallofbeans said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Hi WoB.

There is no practical reason to not do this. If they are freshly cut - unseasoned - they should even smell good.

You're chimney is blocked off? How is it capped at the top of the stack? And is there a vent in the fireplace?

Chimney isn't blocked off and I'm not sure what "capped at the top of the stack" means, so assume that isn't done either! There is also no vent in the fireplace, as far as I'm aware.

By 'capped', I meant a rain cover/cowl to prevent water getting down, whilst still allowing air to flow out. If it's open at the bottom as normal inside the fireplace, then the flue will be well ventilated, so you shouldn't have condensation inside the stack.

Of course, that might mean that your room is too well ventilated, so you'll be losing heat up the flue in winter time!

If a chimney is to remain unused, then it should ideally have a cap on the top to stop rain getting in, and a vent grill fitted on the opening at the bottom to allow a constant trickle of air up there to keep it dry.

Some folk simply fully block off the flue entrance in the fireplace to stop draughts, not realising that this still allows rain down t'top, and no air up t'bottom to keep it ventilated and dry. Yours sounds fine.

wallofbeans

ThisIsWeird said:

wallofbeans said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Hi WoB.

There is no practical reason to not do this. If they are freshly cut - unseasoned - they should even smell good.

You're chimney is blocked off? How is it capped at the top of the stack? And is there a vent in the fireplace?

Chimney isn't blocked off and I'm not sure what "capped at the top of the stack" means, so assume that isn't done either! There is also no vent in the fireplace, as far as I'm aware.

By 'capped', I meant a rain cover/cowl to prevent water getting down, whilst still allowing air to flow out. If it's open at the bottom as normal inside the fireplace, then the flue will be well ventilated, so you shouldn't have condensation inside the stack.

Of course, that might mean that your room is too well ventilated, so you'll be losing heat up the flue in winter time!

If a chimney is to remain unused, then it should ideally have a cap on the top to stop rain getting in, and a vent grill fitted on the opening at the bottom to allow a constant trickle of air up there to keep it dry.

Some folk simply fully block off the flue entrance in the fireplace to stop draughts, not realising that this still allows rain down t'top, and no air up t'bottom to keep it ventilated and dry. Yours sounds fine.

Oh I see... I've not been here that long, so still figuring out the quirks of the house. The chimney has some plastic bag things stuffed up it to prevent drafts I assume. I wonder if I should be taking those out and replacing, and getting the chimney capped as you say.

Thanks for this though - all very helpful!

ThisIsWeird

wallofbeans said:

ThisIsWeird said:

wallofbeans said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Hi WoB.

There is no practical reason to not do this. If they are freshly cut - unseasoned - they should even smell good.

You're chimney is blocked off? How is it capped at the top of the stack? And is there a vent in the fireplace?

Chimney isn't blocked off and I'm not sure what "capped at the top of the stack" means, so assume that isn't done either! There is also no vent in the fireplace, as far as I'm aware.

By 'capped', I meant a rain cover/cowl to prevent water getting down, whilst still allowing air to flow out. If it's open at the bottom as normal inside the fireplace, then the flue will be well ventilated, so you shouldn't have condensation inside the stack.

Of course, that might mean that your room is too well ventilated, so you'll be losing heat up the flue in winter time!

If a chimney is to remain unused, then it should ideally have a cap on the top to stop rain getting in, and a vent grill fitted on the opening at the bottom to allow a constant trickle of air up there to keep it dry.

Some folk simply fully block off the flue entrance in the fireplace to stop draughts, not realising that this still allows rain down t'top, and no air up t'bottom to keep it ventilated and dry. Yours sounds fine.

Oh I see... I've not been here that long, so still figuring out the quirks of the house. The chimney has some plastic bag things stuffed up it to prevent drafts I assume. I wonder if I should be taking those out and replacing, and getting the chimney capped as you say.

Thanks for this though - all very helpful!

That balloon will probably be enough. They tend to let a trickle of air pass around them.

greensalad

I did that before. I hope you like spiders.