Do YOU need a fireplace?

DesG

Just looking for opinions really

We have blocked up the fireplace in our house, for 3 reasons, 1, we don't ever use one, 2, we don't want the draught, and 3, to make better use of the space in the room.

So, would having no fireplace in a family home put you off buying?

edit: forgot to say, we have gas central heating.

Cheers, Des.

rchddap1

Wouldn't put me off. But if it was a nice fireplace, in a good sized room it might make a good feature and give me a reason to buy.

jezza1O1

would it put me off - no. Although brought up with log fires in the living room I wouldnt know how to go about getting one going. My parents Victorian house even had a coal shoot - but I wouldnt have the slightest idea how to get hold of the stuff (does charcoal work? )

Quite like them though, going back to my parents in winter and sitting by the fire is very nostalgic...

...I know which way the cats would vote !

rchddap1

If I remember from my old nan's house...she had a pile of coal, some wood and then stuffed in some paper in the centre, which she set alight. Hey presto...one fire.

Rikki

It would put me off. I think the fireplace is the focal point of the room.

DesG

rchddap1 wrote:

Wouldn't put me off. But if it was a nice fireplace, in a good sized room it might make a good feature and give me a reason to buy.

Trust me, it was no where near being nice, it was a 70's eyesore! The room is very large, nearly 2 rooms in size. But the location was just all wrong, short of moving the chimney, or just ignoring it and placing a sofa in front of it, blocking it up seemed the best option.

But I am now concerned that some/many/all buyers might see it as a negative.

Glad to hear you wouldn't

Cheers, Des.

sooz

if you have central heating, it wouldn't put me off. just as long as you keep the chimneys, breasts etc, so one could be easily returned, as personally think rooms look a little bare without one - not that i'd ever know how to use a real one, it's been so long...

were the original fireplaces nice. have you room to keep them so they could be returned.


sorry, you posted at the same time. 70's eyesores out please. will not be missed.

Doozergirl

I wouldn't not buy a house because it didn't have one but I would reinstate one as soon as I could. An original fireplace would be a fantastic bonus.

Houses that have double glazing and blocked up fireplaces can suffer with condensation and, as a result, mould. So fireplaces are not just beautiful to look at, that 'draft' helps keep the house healthy.

DesG

Doozergirl wrote:

I wouldn't not buy a house because it didn't have one but I would reinstate one as soon as I could. An original fireplace would be a fantastic bonus.

Glad to hear! Of course, apart from some unblocking and fitting a new one, there is nothing stopping anyone putting one in, either real or gas.

When you say an original fireplace, trust me, you wouldn't want an original 70's fireplace

Doozergirl wrote:

Houses that have double glazing and blocked up fireplaces can suffer with condensation and, as a result, mould. So fireplaces are not just beautiful to look at, that 'draft' helps keep the house healthy.

There is plenty of ventilation in the room as it is a relatively modern house. The fireplace is also vented below the floorboards to prevent any damp issues

Cheers, Des.

DesG

Decided to add a poll to this thread.

Nikki

Fireplaces do make nice focal points but I wouldn't be put off if a house didn't have one. We ripped out a hiddeous one in this house, but replaced it with a nice one as the room is big and it needed a focal point.