Arch over fireplace.

[trialscot]

Hi,
I'm putting in a small multifuel stove where a fireplace used to be.
I reckon I can build up the sides of the fireplace to narrow it down a bit.
What would be the easiest way to make a nice arch at the top of the fireplace?.

Untitled

• trialscot
• 31 Mar 2011
• 1

 

[plstering]

you can tooth a brick arch in m8 all you need too do is make a former out of ply wood
cut two forms and screw them together using 2/4 cut too the deth of the brick work

fix it in place on 2by4 legs say 4 legs
get the bond right and it will fly in in no time
if you spectical bout its load bearing then just
put in a lintal at the top tooth it in too the old brick work

or if its just for show the pop over too B&Q and get an arch kit
but you still need a lintal in there first

 

[Richard C]

Don’t forget, stove installations are notifyable unless you use a HETAS registered installer & require certification by either a registered installer or your LABC. No compliance certification will cause problems when you come to sell & may invalidate your house insurance if there is a problem.

 

[trialscot]

Plsterer, yes it'll be a show arch, I have a lintel to put in above it. B&Q kit sounds useful, can't find it yet on their site but will keep looking, thanks.

Richardc, all ok on building warrant front thanks, it's part of a big renovation project.

 

[Richard C]

OK; additionally don’t use Gypsum plaster (base or finish) or plaster board inside the fire opening or on the chimney breast wall within 300mm either side or 800mm above the stove, it won’t stand more than 50C & will crack & fall off in a very short time. You need to use either a specialist heatproof render or sand/cement/lime base coat with a heatproof plaster finish.

 

[plstering]

thts on the inside but on the out side it will be fine if its backed out propper
as for the arch kits just pop in there m8 look on line for a trade point near you and go there youll need a trade point card but you cn get one there and thenin store

 

[Richard C]

thts on the inside but on the out side it will be fine if its backed out propper

Not so I'm afraid; I would not advise Gypsum plaster or any Gypsum plasterboard products within 300mm either side & 800mm above a stove & the installation instructions on most stoves will tell you the same. I’ve measured wall temps in the high 90’s in the chimney breast area around a multi-fuel stove running at full tilt; Gypsum or Gypsum based boards (& that includes Fireline) won’t stand regular exposure to more than 50C & WILL fail.

I found out the hard way on my own stove when I first got into doing them around 3 ½ years ago. I had strip it all back & start again; re-render & Vitcas finish plaster so that’s what I do now with all of them. You can still get the odd crack during initial use but it won’t blow completely & can be repaired with filler.