Chimney conversion

[0Floz0]

Hey everyone,

I’m looking to convert my chimney breast into a media unit as it just sticks out far too much and dominates the room. I’ve read some other threads but mine seems to have a bit of an odd construction.

My plan is to put a lintel all the way across near the top so I can open it up to 1 brick width thickness on either side. Important so I can get a 50 inch tv in the gap.

My worry is that it doesn’t really seem to have a proper support anywhere. If you look at the sides it goes in at the bottom. So not sure if the lintel is possible? I was thinking of building some blocks up so it’s fully supported.

Pictures attached. Happy to take more. It’s a party wall so a shared chimney breast. Assume I’d need to cap it off or put some sort of vent in so it can still breath?

Oh and please excuse the mess. Having some work done in the other room so it’s a toy dumping ground in this one!

Cheers all

 

[Mrs Ten Names]

Use a strongboy for temporary support, then install your lintel.

Strongboy Prop Head Wall Supports - HSS Hire

Hire Strongboy Prop Head Wall Supports today from specialist online equipment suppliers HSS Hire.

www.hss.com

 

[0Floz0]

Use a strongboy for temporary support, then install your lintel.

Strongboy Prop Head Wall Supports - HSS Hire

Hire Strongboy Prop Head Wall Supports today from specialist online equipment suppliers HSS Hire.

www.hss.com

Yeah. How many would you use? Thinking one is probably not enough. Is it ok to go right across to each end so that one course will be entirely lintel?

 

[23vc]

A single lintel will deal with the front skin of masonry, but behind that you’ll have some kind of chimney whether it’s brickwork or some other construction, and that’ll also likely need supporting. You’re not really going to know until you open it up though.

I’d go 2 strong boys as you’re taking such a large section out

 

[0Floz0]

A single lintel will deal with the front skin of masonry, but behind that you’ll have some kind of chimney whether it’s brickwork or some other construction, and that’ll also likely need supporting. You’re not really going to know until you open it up though.

I’d go 2 strong boys as you’re taking such a large section out

Yeah. Ideally I’d get rid of the whole thing but I guess that’s complicated with it being a party wall. Neighbour has a chimney breast the other side.

It’s an odd construction. I’ve added some more photos to help explain it. The masonry at the top part is offset versus the bottom part if that makes sense. In photo 1787 you can see it’s got those unusual white bricks and if I want to remove everything below that point I assume the strong boys will hold it ok whilst we complete the block work. Was going to build up from the floor with 7n blocks to form a new support so everything is flush.

The chimney breast on the second floor is much skinnier. It only sticks out about 120mm and is 820mm wide. Downstairs it’s about 1,340mm wide 340mm deep. Photo also attached.

Ideally I’d rip it all out but assume that’d mean I’d have to take it back all the way to the roof.

 

[0Floz0]

Any more advice on this please?

 

[0Floz0]

I know with the lintel you should aim for a minimum of 150mm for it to sit on each side. Would it be dangerous if it was 100mm each side given it’s a pretty small opening. Total length of lintel will be 1340mm.