lee197960_0
Member
- Messages
- 14
Hello all, hoping for some advice as currently I have no prior knowledge of fireplaces, maintaining them (or even lighting them).
We have an original fireplace that is missing the front pieces, I have always felt this was a bit of a shame. What with the way of the world currently and the fact both myself and my better half work from home part of the week it occurred to me that we could have the chimney swept, reinstate the missing pieces and use the fire to provide some warmth during the day. An old house in the north east with single glazing (to the front of the house) can get pretty cold in January! Especially during the day.
After educating myself with google I have established that I need a replacement front/fret, ash pan & grate. However I have a question:-
My fireplace (picture attached) doesn’t have anymore at least a cast iron back/insert. Has this been removed or does not every fire have one? There are only fire bricks which have been painted black (at least that’s what I presume these are). Do I need to replace/add this before I could light a fire?
Another question has come to light after speaking to friends. I appreciate that an open fire is not as efficient as a log burner but apparently warm air from the fire can suck cold air from around the house (front windows are particularly draughty). Could anyone with a real fire enlighten me as to what kind of benefit I might feel in the room? It’s of an average size, not big, not small, high ceilings. I’m not expecting to heat the house more just to take the chill off for a few hours in the day before the heating comes on in the evening.
Thanks in advance.
Lee
We have an original fireplace that is missing the front pieces, I have always felt this was a bit of a shame. What with the way of the world currently and the fact both myself and my better half work from home part of the week it occurred to me that we could have the chimney swept, reinstate the missing pieces and use the fire to provide some warmth during the day. An old house in the north east with single glazing (to the front of the house) can get pretty cold in January! Especially during the day.
After educating myself with google I have established that I need a replacement front/fret, ash pan & grate. However I have a question:-
My fireplace (picture attached) doesn’t have anymore at least a cast iron back/insert. Has this been removed or does not every fire have one? There are only fire bricks which have been painted black (at least that’s what I presume these are). Do I need to replace/add this before I could light a fire?
Another question has come to light after speaking to friends. I appreciate that an open fire is not as efficient as a log burner but apparently warm air from the fire can suck cold air from around the house (front windows are particularly draughty). Could anyone with a real fire enlighten me as to what kind of benefit I might feel in the room? It’s of an average size, not big, not small, high ceilings. I’m not expecting to heat the house more just to take the chill off for a few hours in the day before the heating comes on in the evening.
Thanks in advance.
Lee