Is this a supporting arch?

YellowLlama

we’re opening up a fireplace and have uncovered an unusual looking triangular arch. Anyone know if this is a supporting arch or if we’d need to replace with a lintel?

Ordinarily I’d assume not, but the way the bricks have been cut into triangles above looks intentional, and that looks like the original mortar.

plumb1_2

yes it’s a support, how stable it will be be when removing the old bricks if you want to open up the fire opening. You’ll have to see.

But it looks that the opening has been bricked up in the past. different mortars have been used,The original black could be ash based.

stuart45

If you are opening up the fireplace you may as well knock it out and stick a lintel in to square it off.

YellowLlama

Thanks! I think we’ll chip out some bricks and see if it looks stable. What warning signs should I look out for? Cracks? Gaps?

stuart4511:17 am

If you are opening up the fireplace you may as well knock it out and stick a lintel in to square it off.

If it’s supporting, I’m tempted to leave the triangle as a feature since it’s only going to be decorative. I’ve never seen that kind of arch before. (The plasterer we’ve booked will be delighted I’m sure!)

Section62

we’re opening up a fireplace and have uncovered an unusual looking triangular arch. Anyone know if this is a supporting arch or if we’d need to replace with a lintel?

Is this fireplace on the first floor (or above), and how wide is it compared to the chimney breast as a whole?

Ground floor fireplaces are usually centred in the breast… your 'triangular arch' looks offset well to the left.

YellowLlama

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81932952#Comment_81932952

It’s first floor, and it is offset in the left half of the chimney but that was expected because we’ve got the original hearth.

We’ve asked a builder friend as well, general consensus seems to be yes it was probably designed to be supporting, but it may not be supportive now and a lintel would be the safer option.