Creating a kitchen range cooker surround / fake chimney

[RichA]

I would like to build a fake chimney to go above the range' what would be the best way?

Stud frame, with ply for structural integrity, faced in plasterboard & skimmed?

It will not go to the floor, so would it be ok, to take support from (i) the ceiling, the rear wall, and (iii) some weight on the cabinets below.

Any tips/hints welcome?

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Metal stud is both lighter and easier to install than timber. The only (semi-)specialist tool required is a pair of tin snips (Irwin or Stanley, circa £16 to £20 for a decent pair of straight snips). The units below should be able to take some of the weight (but not all of it)

This video shows the principles. Alright, they use things like a drywall screw gun, but I've done the job with a 12 volt Makita drill/driver in the past using cheapo drywall bits (or dimplers) to set the screws to the right depth. Slower than what a pro uses, but nonetheless it still works.

In any case as it's terminating on a kitchen worktop I'd suggest you terminate the plasterboard 12mm (a thickness of plasterboard offcut) or so above the worktop surface and fit a skirting moulding or splashback to the sides of your chimney, with silicone sealant along the worktop joint. That will prevent spilled liquids from wicking up the plasterboard should an accident occur

 

[foxhole]

I used mdf, fireboard undernearth and fire resistant plasterboard on top .