I am looking to enlarge the opening of our fire place and also break through the back so that the fireplace is both in the lounge and our hallway as you enter the front doo.
Creating the opening isn't an issue for me but I am not sure how to finish it. I have read articles about lining the opening with cement board but this was for installing a stove. I am guessing that the side walls would get hotter with an open fire which is what we are proposing. Is this still the right stuff?
The same articles mentioned above then use standard plaster/plasterboard on the front of the chimney with standard metal render beads on the joining corners. Again is this ok or are the beads likely to expand or plaster crack?
Additionally, I know there are regulations about having hearths. If depth of the fire place is big enough, do you still need a hearth? I intend to have one in the lounge but would like to get away with out one in the hall.
Creating the opening isn't an issue for me but I am not sure how to finish it. I have read articles about lining the opening with cement board but this was for installing a stove. I am guessing that the side walls would get hotter with an open fire which is what we are proposing. Is this still the right stuff?
The same articles mentioned above then use standard plaster/plasterboard on the front of the chimney with standard metal render beads on the joining corners. Again is this ok or are the beads likely to expand or plaster crack?
Additionally, I know there are regulations about having hearths. If depth of the fire place is big enough, do you still need a hearth? I intend to have one in the lounge but would like to get away with out one in the hall.
