Victorian Fireplace

[Woody35]

I have lifted a carpet in the front room and found this scenario. Not sure what is going on here or what to do. The tiles are flush with the piece of concrete. Thank you

 

[Flyfisher]

Looks to me as if the fireplace once had some sort of 'surround' to it - quite sensible if you think about it, to prevent anything falling from the fire grate landing beyond the tiles.

What to do depends on what you want to achieve. Is the fireplace intended to be used? Is the floor going to be re-carpeted or is the intention to have bare boards?

FWIW, we had a similar scenario in a bedroom and I made a simple oak surround as a border between the tiles and the floor, in our case carpeted but it would have worked with bare boards.

 

[Gothichome]

There was once a fender there, probably a raised tile affair

 

[Flyfisher]

'Fender' . . . that was the word I was looking for!

 

[Woody35]

Looks to me as if the fireplace once had some sort of 'surround' to it - quite sensible if you think about it, to prevent anything falling from the fire grate landing beyond the tiles.

What to do depends on what you want to achieve. Is the fireplace intended to be used? Is the floor going to be re-carpeted or is the intention to have bare boards?

FWIW, we had a similar scenario in a bedroom and I made a simple oak surround as a border between the tiles and the floor, in our case carpeted but it would have worked with bare boards.

View attachment 19917

Thank you , yes it is a working coal fireplace. I have a fender around it usually to stop the coals falling out. I was planning on re carpeting but the floorboards are in good shape condition so can’t decide. My bedroom hearths are made from slate flush with the floor

 

[Woody35]

There was once a fender there, probably a raised tile affair
View attachment 19918

Yes I thought that but is only at the front and is not even . I think I will contact a builder to see it they have any suggestions. Thank you for your reply