Fireplace uncovered in 1930s house

[Spearsey]

In the middle of renovating our home and found fireplace behind boards in front room. Have already been stripping the surround. the hearth is either covered in wood or has been replaced by wood. The surround has tiles some damaged, not sure if original. The opening has a metal edge. Above the opening we are not sure if it is part of the surround. The bottom of the grate is tiled. We want to use it but not sure what to do next? We are DIY amateurs.

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• Spearsey
• 8 Mar 2015
• 1

Untitled

• Spearsey
• 8 Mar 2015
• 1

Would be grateful of any suggestions please. (sorry about photo angles not sure why round the wrong way!)

 

[xr4x4]

Rip it out and fit a new front

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• xr4x4
• 8 Mar 2015
• 1

Untitled

• xr4x4
• 8 Mar 2015
• 1

 

[Spearsey]

Hi Paul thanks. My post should have read that we ARE DIY amateurs! We are on a limited budget so was hoping to salvage the situation.

 

[ree]

As above if you want a "proper job"?

However, you must remove all wood surrounds and lift the piece of board acting as a front hearth. Hearths must be non flammable. google solid fuel or stove install sites for tech pics.

The flue must be swept & smoke tested. A HETAS sweep could advise further.
A suitable terminal must be in place on the stack - depending on what fuel you intend to use.

You could clean up the present fire surround and re-paint it?

Research on here.

 

[Spearsey]

Thanks ree. We have started stripping the surround. Will have a go at lifting the hearth. What about the tiles?

 

[ree]

What about the tiles? What do you intend for them - to clean them up, or remove them and fix new tile etc. ?

First things first, and you should first get a HETAS chimney sweep to come in and sweep and advise on site - do this before any other work. It might be that what you propose is not viable.

 

[Spearsey]

Thanks ree. We have come to a stop because we thought we might remove the insert and the bricka to leave space for a burner in the future. We have had that done in another room. We wanted to keep the surround but the gap where we have opened up the fireplace inthe other room is wider than the gap between the pillars of the surround here. Has stalled rest of room renovation 😣

 

[ree]

I can only repeat what i've said above.

Mfr's supply dimensions for the space that their appliances must be fitted in - how can you open up a space if you dont work to Mfr's dimensions?