Fireplace Installation

trasver

Hi there!

We have recently bought a new house and in the sitting room there is a bricked hole in the wasll where the fireplace needs to go! We have bought a fireplace/hearth/grate etc but I have a few questions regarding installation of it.

When put in front of the hole the hearth is obviously higher up than the "floor" of the hole. Should I just use cement to bring it up to the correct level and then put in the fireback on top of this cement once it has dried?

Also in putting the fireback in to see if it fitted there will be a large amount of space behind the fireback, does this need to be filled?

Also, while the fireback fits wuite snugly into the whole wit neglible space on either side does this need to be cemented in for a clean finish?

Thanks for any assistance with this, as you can probably tell I'm a newbie to this so any suggestions are gratefully appreciated !!!

ScottishDanny

Have a look at this
http://www.bricksandbrass.co.uk/diyelem/fireplace/fprestore.htm

rooferPete

Hi Trasver,

Use a nice wet mortar mix about 5 : 1 for bedding you hearth in place, then measure from the top of the hearth to the lintel to make sure your fire back will fit at the new level.

If not don't worry you can fit the fire back a little lower by using pieces of brick for initial support, then make a stroinger mix of mortar 3 : 1 to level the fireplace with your hearth.

You can use fibreglass insulation behind the fire back or general rubble which was the old way of doing it, at the front point it in and flaunch the back of the fire back rising at an angle to direct the smoke up the chimney, the remainder of the 3 : 1 mix should do nicely.

When you offer up the fireplace there will probably be an open joint between the ope and the fire back, point that up with fire cement.

Wait twenty four hours, fit your grate in place and light a nice small fire, sit back with a nice cup of tea (or stronger) and enjoy your dancing flames while the television trys to distract you

.

trasver

Thats great thanks a million for your great replies, how did people do this kind of thing before the internet?! We look forward to those evenings in front of the fire...forget about how energy inefficient an open fire is, ya just can't beat them!!

rooferPete

Hi trasver,

You do have the option of a high quality wood burning stove as supplied by www.ecostoves.ie of course some might see this as advertising I see it as answering your question

Enjoy the fruits of your labour especially on those cold winter nights

.

ScottishDanny

Let us know how you get on.