Weird idea for fire canopy?

[robson2205]

Hi
I have a really hideous beaten metal fire canopy in an inglenook fireplce, which has been painted black at some point in its sad old life. I would love to get rid of it completely and just have a completely open flue for the fire but I’m sure that’s dangerous and I’m not sure I can cope with any more major work just at the moment.
Instead, I want to disguise or cover the canopy with something and I don’t know what I am allowed to use. I had thought that I maybe able to use thin lead sheet and cutting it to a scallop pattern ( like the flashing under windows), but obviously whatever I use it has to repel fire! It won’t get close to the flame as the canopy is massive but I’d rather not burn to death, well not today anyway.
The photo shows one similar for sale on ebay, its not mine and I wouldn't leave a can of beer in the garden (not until Friday anyway)
Has anyone got any suggestions, please !

 

[MdB]

I would love to get rid of it completely and just have a completely open flue for the fire but I’m sure that’s dangerous

It would likely fill your room with smoke from what I've read.

 

[DaveBrigg]

MdB is probably right - the canopy is there to narrow the flue which has the effect of drawing more of the smoke up the chimney. Since it's not particularly decorative, it must have been originally installed because there was a smoke problem. You could use one of the old fashioned options: keep a large fire burning constantly so that the chimney is always hot. Otherwise, even if it goes, you'll need an alternative. On a previous thread it was mentioned that some large properties open to the public used a toughened glass panel across the top of the fireplace to create more of a draught, otherwise a solid fuel burner would do. Lead melts at 327 degrees, which I imagine could be achieved by burning a reasonably sized coal fire. Is copper an option?

 

[robson2205]

Thanks for the reply. Yes copper is an option...and I am really quite stupid I guess, for some reason or another I always had thought of lead as resistant to fire :shock: I've looked at the possibility of blackening copper and it could be oxidised or given the verdigris treatment too. I can't take the hood out...its just too much work and the survey reckons that the surround at the flue end is asbestos so I'm not wanting to make too much movement.
I had the idea of trying to get the effect of fishscale roof shingles on the canopy, kind of mad but certainly a topic of conversation. Now where can I buy copper sheet by the roll....

 

[Lime]

What metal is the canopy made of?
A scratch at the back (wall side) would tell you.

 

[Nemesis]

I can't see what's wrong with it meself.

Plain, simple and will do the job. A coat of matt black heat resistant paint is all it would require, surely?

 

[robson2205]

I thought this might come up...and I appreciate that a lot of people like these canopies. I personally can't see any aesthetic and with it being so big and black it just dominates the whole room. Its painted black already and (as it has to stay) I thought it'd better to make a statement with it rather than letting it ruin my life.

 

[Nemesis]

Well, not sure adding scalloped edges will make it any less dominating. Less being more and all that.

 

[Moo]

Well, I agree with Nemesis.
The one in the photograph is a pleasant, simple shape. I really can't imagine how embellishing it with fancy add-ons will make it less obtrusive or more tasteful.

 

[Pford75]

As a seasoned ebayer....I can tell you that the can of beer was most probably placed there for scale, rather than a leftover from the last BBQ. It's normal practice to place a well known object such as a can or a matchbox next to an item to demonstrate scale.

I agree with Nemesis and Moo that it looks fine as is. If you really don't like it, then I think you're better off changing the flue (installing a wood burner?) than embellishing the current canopy

 

[robson2205]

Just different strokes etc then I guess....I think it looks a bit granny with the rest of the tasteful scheme I've devised but what do I know? I reckon you'll all be jealous when its gracing the pages of December's Country Living...(or laughing as its condemned by the fire prevention officer). :mrgreen: Either way I'm still confused, now wheres that can of Fosters gone....

 

[Nemesis]

Well, I once saw one in a pub decorated with Adam style swags, but that looked naff too...

 

[Moo]

Of course, we're all making wild guesses because we've no mental picture of the house and room in question.
Any chance of some photos?

 

[Nemesis]

Could always paint it in another colour...


http://www.stovespares.co.uk/stove-spares-sundries.html


http://www.stovespares.co.uk/heat-resistant-spray-colours.pdf

If you are ordering your Firebelly stove in one of the stunning colour options other than black, you can also select the 'Colour Matched Spray Paint' which is a heat proof paint that can be used on our stove flue pipe to create a perfect match to your stove.

http://www.firesonline.co.uk/acatalog/Firebelly_FB_Wood_Burning_Stove.html

 

[Penners]

I agree wholeheartedly with Nemesis and Moo. Any attempt to embellish the thing with scallops, copper, lead or whatever will only make it more obtrusive. Ditto if you paint it anything but black (or that lovely gunmetal effect that grate polish produces).

I also agree that it's probably been installed to stop the fire smoking, so removal risks giving you smokey room syndrome.

I would either live with it, or - if it truly is ghastly - get a nicer-looking one made (like the one in the ebay photo). Be aware, however, that the paint is likely to be scorched off the Foster's can by the first fire.

Can we see a photo?

 

[Nemesis]

I suppose the fact it is 'beaten' could make it look particularly obtrusive. However, covering it over with other things isn't possibly going to make it look any better.

If it really is going to be difficult to remove altogether because of asbestos, a metalworking firm might be able to make up some sort of plain, three-sided cover which could be fitted over the front of the original.

 

[essexbearhunter]

really hideous beaten metal fire canopy

If this is one of those over-hammered copper efforts which were once in vogue for Olde English Pubs, you have my sympathy. The blackening was probably a desperate attempt to make it disappear into the background - which can work if that is also totally blackened with soot.

However, this high up, most fireplace back walls now reflect the brick/stone of their construction colour-wise and it hangs too low beneath any mantle beam to be an extension of the shadow cast by that when the fire is not in use.

Depending upon your decor, you could try skinning it in steel...old time-worn or distressed stainless could be interesting, in that it then lifts the colour and turns it into a minor light source, echo-ing any mirrors or windows without being strident. This could eradicate the over-busy beaten appearance of the original and - as a cladding - would not need to be thick or difficult to work.