fireplace

[cowboy]

hi

i have just opened up a fireplace. like the look of the old brick thats now showing. been advised the bricks showing are not firebricks. does anyone know if i use a basket to burn coal in will i need to reline the fireplace with a fireback or firebricks.

any advice appreciated

 

[masona]

Best to get advice from your local fireplace specialist as it requires strict building control regulation.

 

[darrenh]

Cowboy - have just opened up my fire and also like the bricks - did you get an answer to the problem? I was just going to but a fire basket in th ebase too. I have bought some black fire resistant paint for the grate but hadn't thought about the bricks.....

 

[damson]

Hi the previous owners opened up our chimney too and I wanted to make it live as well - I got the chimney swept and asked the sweep's advice - for what it's worth he said - get a basket with a metal back which will help protect the bricks and reflect the heat back into the room otherwise it will just heat next door/the outside wall. If you can't afford a grate with a back get a man hole cover from a scrap yard to do the same job.

Don't forget you also need a hearth that sticks out into the room sufficiently to protect your flooring from the fire.

My problem, which masona has been helping me out on, is that the opening is too wide and too high so the room gets smoky.

btw this is not professional advice just what I've found out so far.

 

[darrenh]

is good advice - we tested the chimney and we will definitely need to raise the basket - the flu area is just too high!

Let me know if you have come up with a good solution with Masona!

D

 

[damson]

Hi the previous owners opened up our chimney too and I wanted to make it live as well - I got the chimney swept and asked the sweep's advice - for what it's worth he said - get a basket with a metal back which will help protect the bricks and reflect the heat back into the room otherwise it will just heat next door/the outside wall. If you can't afford a grate with a back get a man hole cover from a scrap yard to do the same job.

Don't forget you also need a hearth that sticks out into the room sufficiently to protect your flooring from the fire.

My problem, which masona has been helping me out on, is that the opening is too wide and too high so the room gets smoky.

btw this is not professional advice just what I've found out so far.

 

[masona]

Have a read at this for better understanding.