Builders hole not wide enough.

[essex123456]

I have opened up an old fire place. The arch had collapsed slightly so I have installed a concrete lintel below and patched the mortar up etc.

The builders hole is 62cm wide, this is not wide enough for the fake log burner we would like to install. Is it possible to widen the builders hole? Or are the bricks on the sides structural?

Thanks

 

[FRAN1870]

The whole chimney is structural, not just on the outside but the inside too. Without seeing it it’s hard to comment but generally if you want to make an opening wider you’ll need 150 bearing either side wider and the correct sized lintel to take whatever load you have above.

Two feet is about standard fireplace width.... there must be other faux burners on the market?

 

[essex123456]

Thanks for the help, it's what I had thought.

We were hoping to fit a dimples opti smoke, but unfortunately it's to wide. They do a smaller one, buts not as nice looking. Have to look for another.