We have a fireplace for a real fire that consists totally of a brick surround and hearth. I would like to get rid of the bricks and replace with a modern surround.
I am a total novice at DIY, even so I may be making this more complicated than it really is, but to my mind I am thinking if I knock all the bricks out, presumably I will be left with the fireplace opening in the wall, surrounding which will be chunks missing from the chminey breast where I have removed the bricks. Therefore I am thinking that I will need to get some plastering done before/at the same time as installing the new surround.
Does this sound about right?
Will I need to do any sealing up of the hole when I have removed the current bricks?
The back concrete of the fireplace is also looking a bit worse for wear and covered in black soot. What are my options to do something to improve this?
Does this sound like an easy job overall, or should I just get a fireplace surround installer to do the whole job?
Sorry about all the questions, any advice would be really appreciated.
I am a total novice at DIY, even so I may be making this more complicated than it really is, but to my mind I am thinking if I knock all the bricks out, presumably I will be left with the fireplace opening in the wall, surrounding which will be chunks missing from the chminey breast where I have removed the bricks. Therefore I am thinking that I will need to get some plastering done before/at the same time as installing the new surround.
Does this sound about right?
Will I need to do any sealing up of the hole when I have removed the current bricks?
The back concrete of the fireplace is also looking a bit worse for wear and covered in black soot. What are my options to do something to improve this?
Does this sound like an easy job overall, or should I just get a fireplace surround installer to do the whole job?
Sorry about all the questions, any advice would be really appreciated.