Replacing a fireplace - lots of Q's ! *PIC*

[Anonymous]

I have removed a 50's naff fireplace surround in my victorian property. It has left a lovely large brick fireplace opening (about 30" square) which i want to keep and to have a log basket for a real fire. a number of Q's:

1) Do i need to line the inside of the fireplace? The original bricks look ok, slightly cracked, can i just repair with fire cement or something similar? DO i need to repair at all?

2) I have replaced the cement which was under the hearth. i have just found some old limestone slabs in my garden which i would like to have under the log basket - is limestone ok or will it shatter?

3) I have NO surround around the fire, and have plastereds to its edge (with metal beads to finish the edges). Can i leave it like this? We have just lined the walls with lining paper to paint - is this a fire risk? The fire sides has angled brick work, so i am not too concerned here, but i am thinking that it may not be very clever at the top!

fireplace talk seems like a common issue here!

cheers all

Will

 

[Anonymous]

"...a log basket for a real fire"

Could be a pretty way of heating the night sky but when you install a wood burning stove you will discover just hoe ineffiecient an open fire is for heating a room. The other advantage of a woodburner is that you have more freedom to deal with the fireplace surfaces as you wish. Leave it brick, plaster it, tile it with something decorative etc

 

[Anonymous]

fair point Biff.

But at the mo its not an option (money needed elswhere!). Something we are thinking about for next year.

In the mean time we would like to get the fire going as planned.

thanks though...

w.

 

[Anonymous]

Oh that looks just like the fireplace in my lounge, lounge shape looks similar too, although without the picture rail and coving/cornice! thats been ripped out by some previous buther/cowboy of an owner!!!!
We have left the opening as it is too (till we get more funds, deployed elsewhere on leaking roofs and garden clearing)
We have a basket, which is correct in saying it looks lovely, although as the previous response stated,it doesnt throw out much heat, if you stand next to the fire its warm, but the rest of the room is still chilly, and with a large room and high ceilings its dissapointing.
A question for forum members though, if i didnt want a log burning stove would there be any other good heating options. Was considering reinstaing some kind of fire inset and surround in keeping with the character of the house (1850's).
Would this generate much heat?

 

[Anonymous]

We put installed a Jetmaster 20 years or more ago in our 1890s house. It convects as well as radiates so makes the nice warm glow rather more efficient and environmentally friendly. We are pleased with it; that room has a more modern look to the furnishing, however.



http://www.jetmaster.co.uk/

 

[Anonymous]

thanks for that andy - they look pretty good, and appear to be as satisfying as a normal fire - nice work