Changing stone fireplace to contemporary

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leigh davis

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The wife wants me to change our fireplace from stone to contemporary. I was thinking of using Vermiculite Fire Resistant Board with a metal fire trim. Also, knocking the stones forming the arch out to give the opening more height. I assume there's a lintel above the arch somewhere, probably further back, and the front of the fireplace does not support the chimney. After taking out the arch bricks I'm going to cover the stones with the board which will go upto and under the wooden mantel.

I would be very grateful for any advice - we've tried to get a local builder without much success. I do some DIY but the wife will get kittens if I start knocking things down (even a few stones in a non suppporting arch) without proper advice.
fire1.JPG
 
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locate and isolate any gas or elec in the chimney breast & fireplace.
start by covering the surrounding floor.
use a knife to cut any paint or mortar along the outline of the bricks and mantle.
the mantle seems to be three pieces - carefully prise them up one at a time - if they appear to be somehow clipped in to the background chimney breast then come back here.
after removing the whole mantle then begin to prise the bricks up - one at a time. dont go hammering & smashing.
work down to the hearth, and then post a pic back here.
 
Thank you bobasd. Your post is much appreciated. I did not make it clear from my first post but I'm actually going to cover the stones with the board and just take out the arch bricks to give the fireplace opening more height. My DIY skill are not confident enough to take down the whole fireplace. I'm scared it may be supporting the chimney and the whole chimney breast may fall down. Smile.

Yes, everyone else. I would stick with the firplace. Wives, eh??!
 
why do you need more height - do you intend to install a heating appliance?

the arch is a supporting arch.
 
Hi Bobasd. It's just a woodstove with no gas or electrics. I need to take out the arch because if I cover the stone work with board the opening is quite low and it will not look so good. I just wanted to knock out the arch, then board the whole stone fireplace. The board will fit under the mantel - not ideal, but hopefully it will look contemporary. Still can't get anyone interested in the job. Thanks for your advice.
 
any solid fuel burning appliance needs to comply with a few Regs. the Regs are for your safety.

any appliance, even like the one you describe, must be installed to manufacturers dimensions (a legal necessity) - this means for you that you must have an opening thats a certain height above your stove and a certain width on either side.
your stone fire surround is too far forward of the flue in the chimney breast to allow for a SS liner or similar.
do you yet have a name & ref number for your stove?

to advance your proposal why not call in a HETAS for a heads up?
 
Op ,the stove you have in place is a Clearview Pioneer 400 which is one of the best stoves around imo.
If you want to remove the stone and if you replace it with something that is combustable you will have to bear in mind that there are regulations that dictate how close these can be from from the surface of the stove. If you dont have the manufacturers fitting instructions may I suggest you contact Clearview and ask for safe distance to combustables?
 
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