Fireplace opening (moved from Projects)

[Mike ellis]

hi all
We've decided to open up our fireplace after our back oiler was removed 2yrs ago, we're looking at possibly fitting a log burner.
I've looked on the forum at different threads and the Internet at best ways of opening it up but not sure how high to hack plaster off
The top line is old brick with underneath brick newer brick
There is a lintel lower down which is supported on bricks etc but to the sides is older brick so I'm guessing this was installed to close gap up for back boiler
Any tips or advise grateful
Thanks


//www.diynot.com/diy/threads/share-your-diy-projects-with-us-no-queries-please.74081/

 

[Doggit]

It'll partially depend on the log burner you get. If you have a rear vented burner, then you can open up the fireplace as it is, but the fireplace will jut further into the room, so you'll need a deeper hearth; if you have a top vent, then that can sit into the opening, but the flue will need to bend backwards, so you'll need to make the opening higher than it was - the caveat being that you don't want to start going too far up into the throat of the chimney.

Once you've worked out the height, then carefully hack off the plaster to a little above that, and to about 10" or so either side of the intended opening. Remove the line of bricks, and insert a concrete lintel that's at least 300mm wider than the opening. Wickes lintels tend to be 65mm high, so pack some slate up under either end, and then pack some slate up under the bricks above the lintel, then some mortar to keep everything in place.

 

[Robbie uk]

You can take out the concrete lintel, it will not fall down !! It can only drop out back to a key brick. If you take off more of the plaster on the face you will find there will be a header course, or arch or even another lintel higher up. Knock out the side blocks back to the original 9" pillars and take it back to the party wall to create your chamber.

 

[vinn]

Dont hack anything off until you have the selected log burner's Mfr's Inst's showing exactly what dimensions the Mfr wants.
You dont decide on the opening neither do people on this forum or elsewhere - only the Mfr.
Call in a HETAS for a heads up, and read the similar threads at the bottom of this page and each page they lead you to.

 

[Doggit]

Not quite Vinn, they state the distance from the wall for the rear and the sides, but not for the height. For that, you need to know the size of burner you need, then it's height, and then where you're going to exit the flue from the stove. If you don't the necessary clearance around the stove, the you can use vermiculite boards.

But I did start off by telling the OP that it'll depend on the Log burner he gets.

Mike, do you know the size of stove you need for your room. If not, try this site http://www.stovesonline.co.uk/calculator.asp. Are you going to do the job yourself under a Building Control Notice, or get a Hetas installer as they'll do the brickwork for you as well.

 

[vinn]

Wrong.
Mfr's manual's typically state their min. requirements for clearance height above & to the sides. A call to the Mfr will clear up any confusion.