Insulate in Recess of Fireplace

[Woggle]

What's the best way to insulate the recess of a fireplace (when I say best I mean both cost effective and safe!).

As you will see from the photos I'm using quite a lot of heat out of the back of the recess (when they did cavity wall insulation this bit wasn't insulated).

I've had the following suggested - is this safe and is there a preference (and if I fix it to the wall then what do I put on top of the heatproof boards - if anything?).

1). Skamotec 225 - Skamo Enclosure Board

2). Vermiculite fire boards

3). Calcium silicate Insulation boards - very expensive

4). Rockwool FirePro / RW5 (non-combustible mineral wool)

e.g. could I use the Rockwool FirePro and then cover it with a Vermiculite Fire board and paint over the top?

It's worth saying that I do have a air vent/grill on one of the sides of the recess. It's blocked up I believe but I remember the fitter of the fireplace saying it was needed (i.e. I can't board over it?).

Thanks

 

[Woggle]

What's the best way to insulate the recess of a fireplace (when I say best I mean both cost effective and safe!).

As you will see from the photos I'm using quite a lot of heat out of the back of the recess (when they did cavity wall insulation this bit wasn't insulated).

I've had the following suggested - is this safe and is there a preference (and if I fix it to the wall then what do I put on top of the heatproof boards - if anything?).

1). Skamotec 225 - Skamo Enclosure Board

2). Vermiculite fire boards

3). Calcium silicate Insulation boards - very expensive

4). Rockwool FirePro / RW5 (non-combustible mineral wool)

e.g. could I use the Rockwool FirePro and then cover it with a Vermiculite Fire board and paint over the top?

It's worth saying that I do have a air vent/grill on one of the sides of the recess. It's blocked up I believe but I remember the fitter of the fireplace saying it was needed (i.e. I can't board over it?).

Thanks

Just resurrecting this thread.....any ideas please?

 

[foxhole]

Not needed

 

[Deluks]

Yes, should work in theory, Hardiebacker 12mm will also work, but you'll need to check clearance behind the stove. Read instructions for the minimum.

 

[Deluks]

Not needed

I'm assuming he means losing heat from the room when the stove is not in use.

 

[foxhole]

I'm assuming he means losing heat from the room when the stove is not in use.

He worries about losing heat in warm weather?

 

[Woggle]

I'm assuming he means losing heat from the room when the stove is not in use.

No - it's in the cold (when the fire isn't on) that we're losing almost 4-5C through the back of the fireplace. We don't have the fire on permanently - it means the lounge gets cold (which is the largest room in the house). So hoping this will make a bit of a difference.

 

[Koolpc]

Brick up the fireplace?

 

[Woggle]

It's already brick/masonry at the back - but the cavity between it and the outside wall isn't filled - which is why we're losing heat compared to the rest of the room.

 

[Deluks]

Can you access the other side?

 

[Woggle]

Can you access the other side?

Yes