Removing chimney breast/stack, should we?

Soldato
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So we're having the loft converted in which to gain more space we'll definitely remove the chimney stack. Makes total sense. However the building company is also quoting for work downstairs (removing internal walls between dining room and kitchen, moving back door to come out of dining room rather than kitchen, fitting new kitchen). She was really pushing us to remove the chimney stack in the dining room and second back bedroom for that little bit more space.

However this is an Edwardian terrace with a lot of the period features still intact. Although there's only a fireplace installed in the lounge, we strongly feel we'll be decorating boldly with a mind to keep the traditional look... Think dark green in the reception room, a nice leather club chair, picture rails, dark old style radiators, black and white tiling in the hallway etc. All that sort-of stuff.

So it seems a massive shame to lose the chimney breast where they could remain a nice feature for the rooms. Certainly the second bedroom is simply going to be an office/study, so there's literally no need for the extra 6 inches (whatever it is) from the chimney. There's plenty of room for a desk and built-in bookshelves/units. I think we'd prefer to keep it and put on a fireplace (even though it undoubtably won't be useable).

However the dining room is small. 3.83x2.88m. We've pilfered a nice 6 seater dining table from a local FB group to tide us over and that already takes up a lot of the space - and we haven't even moved in yet. We'll have slightly more to walk around once the internal wall has gone but there's still a couple of strides where to get through to the kitchen you'll very much be walking around the table with only approx a doorway's width of space.

Just wondering if anyone has had this done. Talk sense to me? Are builders always going to go for the logical/more space option? Would we regret not taking them out in 3 years time? :confused:
 
In a period house like that i'd be wanting to keep them for aesthetic reasons, plus it'll cost quite a bit more i'd have thought plus it'll destroy those rooms in the mean time but that may not matter if you're not living in it yet?
 
So you have a fireplace but want to remove the chimney stack above it.. Rendering the fireplace unusable with a fire.

Do you have Pics.
Removing character from an older property may hurt you more than the gained 2sq ft
 
Most people don’t use fires anymore

a common approach is to keep the breasts and fireplaces in for aesthetic reasons downstairs but to remove them above with an appropriate steel support signed off by building regs for the remaining stack on the roof.

unless of course you remove the stack entirely.

when it comes to resale, it is vital that original features remain at least in part.
 
So you have a fireplace but want to remove the chimney stack above it.. Rendering the fireplace unusable with a fire.
No. The only chimney breast with a fireplace still in it is the reception room. The rest are 'sealed' up with the little vents on. I don't know the technical speak (this is all new to me), but we'd be looking to put a fireplace (doesn't have to be usable tbh), or creating a brick alcove or something to retain the charm. Rather than white plaster which is what they are now (bar the reception room). EDIT: Here's a pic; https://imgur.com/WlBrhFB

The building company was saying how to get rid of the dining room chimney breast we would probably have to get steel in to reinforce, which would also potentially affect the front reception room. Which we were hoping to be our safe haven during this work, as we don't need to do anything major in there apart from redecorate!

Sounds like everyone is in the same mind as me then... retain them for the charm/feature. And save a few bob at the same time?

a common approach is to keep the breasts and fireplaces in for aesthetic reasons downstairs but to remove them above with an appropriate steel support signed off by building regs for the remaining stack on the roof.
Yeah. But as I mentioned the second bedroom will be a study so doesn't need the space imo. And the front bedroom is the largest room in the house (and will be a spare bedroom) so I like the idea of built-in wardrobes either side of a fireplace. Doesn't need a whole wall of wardrobes (famous last words, lol)
 
I would keep it. Its a lovely addition to a room and you can happily find an electric period fire to pop in there. The made a lot of suitable fires in the 80's. Big brass things that weigh a ton! I have one myself. They pop up on ebay now and then and depending on condition can cost up to £200. No reason why you can't open up a fireplace in the loft too ( since it doesn't have to be functional ) and then you can have an electric fire up there too!
 
Couldn't work out if you have 2 stacks or 1, but I'd definitely leave 1. Removing period features will hurt more than having an extra cupboard worth of space.
 
No reason why you can't open up a fireplace in the loft too ( since it doesn't have to be functional ) and then you can have an electric fire up there too!
Well the house is really quite narrow so by the time we squeeze the stairs and en-suite in the loft we really need all the width we can get. It's going to be tight to fit a bed across-ways. I don't think loft en-suite conversions existed in the 1900s ( :confused: ) so that room will probably be more modern looking.
 
Based on the picture you've shown I'd say you've already lost some period features? Looks like the skirting has been replaced as it should be bigger / more ornate.
 
Based on the picture you've shown I'd say you've already lost some period features? Looks like the skirting has been replaced as it should be bigger / more ornate.
Yeah the jury is out on the skirting. Girlfriend seems to think it is original but it is very plain. The house is Edwardian so a chance it was built more plain - I think. I'm still learning. We do have all the original coving, internal doors, stairs and bannisters. Together with the fireplace in the front room. It's just the other rooms that have been filled like the pic above.

EDIT: Planning on adding a picture rail in the front room, potentially panelling in the hallway if suitable, and tiling in the hall way. Not sure what other period features you'd expect in a house like it but happy to be informed. We think it was built in 1902.
 
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