Replacement Fire

[Deleted User 298457]

Hi folks,

I ripped out the old painted white grotty fireplace earlier today. I am left with what looks like a gigantic hole, lol. I have been looking at 1930s style/pre 1930s cast iron fire surrounds. I really would prefer a log burner but I understand the hetas(?) tax is immense. I have literally zero budget.

I removed the hearth stone as it was gigantic and encroached on the room too much, but it is in one piece so can go back if required. The fire proof stone surround is fully intact/unmoved. The cast iron fireplace has a tray and surround/base that fits back in.

Thoughts? Chimney isn't lined either ...

Edit: For example, can I just whack one of these things in place?

 

[Hyburnate]

That looks like a gallery fireplace. The simple answer is no, you’ll need a new solid fuel fireback for that particular fire-lace. Unless you can get a fireplace that will suit that existing fire back and it’s in good condition (not a huge amount of cracks).

have you ever had the chimney swept and inspected?

 

[Deleted User 298457]

That looks like a gallery fireplace. The simple answer is no, you’ll need a new solid fuel fireback for that particular fire-lace. Unless you can get a fireplace that will suit that existing fire back and it’s in good condition (not a huge amount of cracks).

have you ever had the chimney swept and inspected?

Thanks - my knowledge on this is literally zero. I lucked out in the last place, it had a log burner and a lined stainless steel chimney!

The chimney has been swept and given a clean bill of health; when I moved in.

Is the fireback not suitable as it is?

 

[Hedge]

If you're near east Midlands I've got a similar fire to that in a garage you can have

 

[Hyburnate]

Thanks - my knowledge on this is literally zero. I lucked out in the last place, it had a log burner and a lined stainless steel chimney!

The chimney has been swept and given a clean bill of health; when I moved in.

Is the fireback not suitable as it is?

I'll be honest, my knowledge was also zero and I wouldn't say it's extensive.

I moved in and ripped out a 1970s era fireplace and had a similar, Gallery fireplace from eBay. I found that my fireback was cracked heavily due to decades of use, in addition to that it fouled on the fireplace and also the brickwork fouled the fireplace which meant I had to install a new lintel, replasterboard, new fireback and then plaster.

I'm sure I have some photos somewhere... I'll dig them out and add them to my post

@Classic Blue Theme

 

[Bint Box]

I'll be honest, my knowledge was also zero and I wouldn't say it's extensive.

I moved in and ripped out a 1970s era fireplace and had a similar, Gallery fireplace from eBay. I found that my fireback was cracked heavily due to decades of use, in addition to that it fouled on the fireplace and also the brickwork fouled the fireplace which meant I had to install a new lintel, replasterboard, new fireback and then plaster.

I'm sure I have some photos somewhere... I'll dig them out and add them to my post

@Classic Blue Theme

Quick question, is it possible to replace any of the inset tiles on either side of the firplace once it is fixed in place?
We have two similar fireplaces, both of which have cracked tiles that I would like to replace but do not fancy having to remove the fireplace to gain access.

As you were able to view the structure of the fireplace before it was fixed in place did you see any scope for tile replacement after fixing in place?

Thank You

 

[Deleted User 298457]

I can't answer as accurately as Hyburnate possibly could, but when searching for fires I did come acorss lots of replacement tile designs @Bint Box (y).

 

[Hyburnate]

Quick question, is it possible to replace any of the inset tiles on either side of the firplace once it is fixed in place?
We have two similar fireplaces, both of which have cracked tiles that I would like to replace but do not fancy having to remove the fireplace to gain access.

As you were able to view the structure of the fireplace before it was fixed in place did you see any scope for tile replacement after fixing in place?

Thank You

It will depend on the age and the make-up. This was ground floor and therefore it has a concrete hearth that goes into the ground. I laid addition concrete onto this to make the hearth bigger, but yes in theory you should easily be able to replace the tile. Whatever they say, porcealin and ceramic tiles are both suitable as they are both fired in order to be made, so as long as you avoid specialist glazed tiles you'll usually be okay!

 

[Bint Box]

It will depend on the age and the make-up. This was ground floor and therefore it has a concrete hearth that goes into the ground. I laid addition concrete onto this to make the hearth bigger, but yes in theory you should easily be able to replace the tile. Whatever they say, porcealin and ceramic tiles are both suitable as they are both fired in order to be made, so as long as you avoid specialist glazed tiles you'll usually be okay!

Any idea how you would go about replacing the tiles with the fireplace fixed in place?
The two fireplaces I have were presumably put in when the house was built in 1905, ie, Edwardian.

The tiles look to be behind the the metal framework of the fireplace which encloses the tiles.
This makes me think they are removed from the rear side which is not possible with the fireplace fixed in place?

 

[drakulton]

Any idea how you would go about replacing the tiles with the fireplace fixed in place?
The two fireplaces I have were presumably put in when the house was built in 1905, ie, Edwardian.

The tiles look to be behind the the metal framework of the fireplace which encloses the tiles.
This makes me think they are removed from the rear side which is not possible with the fireplace fixed in place?

I've ripped out some old fireplaces and it looks like there's a rack where you slide the tiles down from the top/back and so is only possible with the fireplace removed.

 

[Hyburnate]

Any idea how you would go about replacing the tiles with the fireplace fixed in place?
The two fireplaces I have were presumably put in when the house was built in 1905, ie, Edwardian.

The tiles look to be behind the the metal framework of the fireplace which encloses the tiles.
This makes me think they are removed from the rear side which is not possible with the fireplace fixed in place?

I've ripped out some old fireplaces and it looks like there's a rack where you slide the tiles down from the top/back and so is only possible with the fireplace removed.

It's been a long week, I realise what you mean now. Yes Drakulton is completely right, I thought you meant on the hearth because I have young kittens and they dislike my ability to sleep... Yes the insert ones you have to take the fireplace out and then there is a couple of wingnuts which allow you to untension the tiles and swap.

 

[Bint Box]

I've ripped out some old fireplaces and it looks like there's a rack where you slide the tiles down from the top/back and so is only possible with the fireplace removed.

Thank you for the confirmation, my worst case scenario.

I am slightly surprised that there is no "front removal" option, perhaps they thought there would not be a need once the fireplace was fixed in place.
The overall build quality of the house is pretty good, the Edwardians seemed to build decent houses compared to later generations of UK housing I have lived in. Or at least that is my impression.
Shame about the fireplace tiles, sigh.....

 

[drakulton]

Thank you for the confirmation, my worst case scenario.

I am slightly surprised that there is no "front removal" option, perhaps they thought there would not be a need once the fireplace was fixed in place.
The overall build quality of the house is pretty good, the Edwardians seemed to build decent houses compared to later generations of UK housing I have lived in. Or at least that is my impression.
Shame about the fireplace tiles, sigh.....

If you're not actually having a fire in the grate, then you could always try those tile stickers which come in all designs and colours.

 

[Deleted User 298457]

Thank you for the confirmation, my worst case scenario.

I am slightly surprised that there is no "front removal" option, perhaps they thought there would not be a need once the fireplace was fixed in place.
The overall build quality of the house is pretty good, the Edwardians seemed to build decent houses compared to later generations of UK housing I have lived in. Or at least that is my impression.
Shame about the fireplace tiles, sigh.....

Smash them and then use adhesive.

 

[Bint Box]

If you're not actually having a fire in the grate, then you could always try those tile stickers which come in all designs and colours.

Hmmm, not heard of tile stickers but it sounds like it might be an option.
The fireplaces are not operational, just ornamental in the rooms, each with an Oak surround and fender around the tiled hearth.

 

[Bint Box]

Smash them and then use adhesive.

I had thought that may be the only option to replace them but I am not sure if I could bring myself to smash them.

Sods law as it turns out is that for both fireplaces one of the two tiled columns is intact with no cracked tiles.
Both fireplaces have one column with a cracked tile, so annoying but I have lived with them for a few years now.

 

[drakulton]

Hmmm, not heard of tile stickers but it sounds like it might be an option.
The fireplaces are not operational, just ornamental in the rooms, each with an Oak surround and fender around the tiled hearth.

Tile stickers are now a thing. Various designs, colours and even bespoke made from an image of your choice.

 

[Bint Box]

Tile stickers are now a thing. Various designs, colours and even bespoke made from an image of your choice.

Sounds like a practical solution, I could take photos of my original tiles and get a set of stickers to match the originals.
Would you happen to know of a supplier or is it just a google job ?

Thx
Bintos

 

[drakulton]

Sounds like a practical solution, I could take photos of my original tiles and get a set of stickers to match the originals.
Would you happen to know of a supplier or is it just a google job ?

Thx
Bintos

A simple google job

 

[Deleted User 298457]

Epic Facebook score this morning..100 bucks!