Any Experts on Inglenooks?

[pete32]

I have an inglenook fireplace that is the centre-piece to our 16th century timber frame cottage but it has a 1970's brick built inset fire enclosed within it. The Inglenook is about 8ft wide, 4ft deep and 5ft high. The brick built fire sits in the centre and I want to knock it out and install a log-burner but am not sure whether the brick fire is structural. I have knocked out the top two bricks of the fire and can see the sides of the fire that run up to the chimney at full width, the sides then slope in to the fireplace centre. Any advice would be helpful.

Cheers Pete

 

[FamilyWiggs]

I've done this recently, and exposed a lovely 16/17thC inglenook where a horrible 1970s stone effort existed before.

It doesn't sound structural, but you need to be sure that the beam is capable of supporting what is above it. Mine needed a steel plate at the back, due to significant charring over the centuries.

Can you post some pics Pete, it might helps us advise,

Robin

 

[middi]

These type of Chimeys were invariably built very similar to one another, some the earlier version were open timber framed cavernous " smoke bays" with just the upper section closed in by wattle and daub . These were upgraded and infilled with bricks utilising the framed horizontal beam to become a bressumer to support the above brickwork. On instances where these cavernous things were inserted from brickwork in the middle of the building at the outset, the builders would have used an " hefty" purpose made bressumer.

Find out what is holding the original stucture together and remove what has been "added in it" over the years. The chances are you could easily remove everything that has been added. quite easily. The CO should be informed if Listed.

 

[pete32]

sorry,

trying to upload photos but will not work for some reason.

will keep trying.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Max photo size on here is 256k - that is often the problem with digital pics. You could try putting themon a photo site - like photobucket and linking to them in your post.

 

[Nemesis]

You can edit the pics using Photobucket to a smaller size:

http://photobucket.com/register/

 

[chuckey]

Some one I know has done exactly what has been done to your fire place. The problem with huge fire places are that they need a huge fire to draw properly, or the flue to be lined to a reduced diameter, to increase the speed of the smoke. So I reckon that the brick work can come down and a flue liner put it, and it will work great, and you will have some where cosy to sit!
Frank

 

[pianoredwood73]

We're doing this at the moment. Got LBC in place and have two inglenooks, both of which had hideous 70's brickwork inside. The guy doing the work is satisfied that the recent stuff isn't load bearing here, but obviously wise to check. The entire house is filthy as it's all being done at once but it's going to look fab. There's a third, smaller fireplace that had an awful stone surround in the 70's, that's gone too and just been lime rendered. The hearths are being fitted at the moment (blue lias) and look wonderful, and we have log burning stoves being fitted next week in all of them with flue liners etc - as we have no other heating we needed something effective and efficient in them. Would have loved open grates with canopies really but need the heat! I say go for it. We're thrilled with how ours look and they'll be vack to great focal points as well as heating the house effectively without putting a wet system on oil in (thus ruining the 15thC elm boards upstairs). Will post some pics when all done.
Sarah

 

[pete32]

Thanks for all your input, still cannot upload photos hopefullly I will better at knocking out fireplaces, I have a timber frame builder coming around on monday to hopefully give me the go ahead. Would love to see photos of completed inglenooks if anybody has gone through the same proccess.

Cheers

Pete

 

[Nemesis]

Assuming it is an insert and not load bearing (which is probable) what are you next intending to do?

Just having a large hole and a fire may be a recipe for a room full of smoke.

(register for Photobucket then upload - then I can guide you through what to do next!)

 

[pete32]

 

[Nemesis]

Oh well done!

Not very attractive that insert and I doubt it is loadbearing, but as I said - remove and you may not find the fire draws as you would wish.

 

[pete32]

I am thinking of inserting a log burner to get a bit more heat in the house and save me some money I hope!!Will send in photo when I have knocked it out.Pete

 

[Nemesis]

Good plan - is the chimney lined?

 

[pete32]

No it's not lined.

Interesting though the different info on whether to line up to the chimney or leave open after the register plate for the log burner some say yes some say no.

Pete

 

[skier-hughes]

I believe building regs say yes :wink:

 

[Nemesis]

Yup.

 

[chuckey]

To line or not to line? Lining cost money and if only 6" diam flue is used,fireplace can not be used with open grate coal fire (needs 9"+). Not lining give poor draught on fire, and tar condensates on the inside of your flue, which will soak right through lime pointing and plaster eventually. The " not line" camp might rely on on a new build stack which is all ready rendered with cement.
Do any of you Guys know what to do with tar impregnated lime based plaster?. Some of it has come off so wall needs replastering.
Frank

 

[skier-hughes]

Cow dung and Gervase....... do a search...

 

[Nemesis]

I've sent him a message. He's certainly the expert sh*t stirrer and applier.