Fire place project

[Joker_Disco]

Following on from the bedroom project as promised I am finally putting the finishing touches to our lounge and dining room however before I do a thread on that I thought it would be easier to take out the fire place and show how this was achieved.

I have had to miss out some pictures as it will spoil the other thread so bare with me if it appears to jump a bit.


So here goes....

Remove gas fire

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Found some huge holes in the side of breast which I can only assume was the old back boiler as all the existing copper pipework had been left in place.

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Hearth & Mantle removed and old gas pipe exposed.

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Gas capped and temporarily re-routed.

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The idea at this stage was to use the existing brickwork to make a feature fire place however the brickwork was so rough and badly damaged we decided against it. We decided that plasterboard and paint would probably be better considering the style we were going for.

Now we couldn't go any further without laying our hands on an oak beam so we could work out how much brickwork we needed to chop out. We rang around a few reclamation yards and went to view a couple of beams but they were far to vintage for our liking.

Whilst looking around in certain fireplace shop I happened mentioned to the sales guy that we were looking for a modern oak beam and he advised me that there was a woodland about a mile or so from my house where you could pick a tree, give him the length, depth and width sizes that you want and he would cut it out right there and then.

Thinking this was too good to be true or at the very least it would be a major expense we set off in anticipation that this would be the place the beam would come from. As we got there a burly farmer came down his garden and I began to explain what we had been told, to my surprise he called us through and sure enough a tree was picked, sizes were exchanged and a beam was cut from a recently felled oak tree. I was pleased to say the least but the best was to come: "how much would that be I inquired???" He crunched some numbers around in his head,"£40 mate" he replied. Happy to say the least we paid the man, loaded the van and went back home.

Brickwork chopped out for new beam

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Beam offered up and concreted in place.

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Floor leveled out

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Old back boiler hole filled

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Purchased some bricks for the hearth £9.00 + VAT. and started to plasterboard the fire place.

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Beam corners, edges and sides sanded to get rid of the 90 degree corners, also some more packing for the beam

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Started plaster boarding

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Got the gas man round to solder an end cap on the gas, finished off the plaster boarding, broke out more of the floor due to there being some big ridges in it and leveled it ready for screed.

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Brickwork hearth complete

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Fire in

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I have got some plastering pics but It will spoil the lounge thread so you'll have to wait for now.

Painted

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And finished - beam oiled etc

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Hope you enjoyed and I will be posting the lounge project very shortly.

[guitardedleon]

looks great Disco.

How long did it take from start to finish mate?

The mrs parents have a very similar fire place - makes the room look very grand.

[lockie]

Great work, £40 seems a bargain for such a big hunk of wood.

[guitardedleon]

sorry, Disco. just re-looked at this your post..

could I be a nosey barstool and ask what paint was used?
I love it and seeing as you have it, you would know what brand and shade..

cheers mate.

[Joker_Disco]

looks great Disco.

How long did it take from start to finish mate?

The mrs parents have a very similar fire place - makes the room look very grand.

Thanks started in August and took about 4 weeks in total but we couldn't finish it becuase we had the rest of the lounge to complete

Great work, £40 seems a bargain for such a big hunk of wood.

It was a great bargain, so much in fact I bought another one ready for when we do the kitchen.

sorry, Disco. just re-looked at this your post..

could I be a nosey barstool and ask what paint was used?
I love it and seeing as you have it, you would know what brand and shade..

cheers mate.

Dulux Silk Egyptian Cotton for the fire place and in the reflection in the mirror was Dulux Caramel Sands 2. To be honest the pictures don't do the colours any justice at all.

[Colour Republic]

Looks good you've made a tidy job of that.

One thing though are you having another hearth sitting in front of the brick one? Only it doesn't met regs if you plan on having a combustable flooring in front of it. Not trying to be a jobs worth but you'll end up with burnt bits of carpet from embers that fly out when opening the wood burner.

[Joker_Disco]

Looks good you've made a tidy job of that.

One thing though are you having another hearth sitting in front of the brick one? Only it doesn't met regs if you plan on having a combustable flooring in front of it. Not trying to be a jobs worth but you'll end up with burnt bits of carpet from embers that fly out when opening the wood burner.

It's electric

It's for show, radiator is our main source

[Colour Republic]

Ahhhh I see the cable now!!!

[ultimatehandyman]

Nice work, thanks for sharing it and thanks for attaching the pictures

[Wes]

That looks spot on Joker

Especially like the beam (and a great price!). The stain match and complimentary look of the mirror frame and beam is exceptional. Look forward to your future projects mate

[Wee Eck]

How long did it take from start to finish mate?

Thanks started in August and took about 4 weeks in total but we couldn't finish it becuase we had the rest of the lounge to complete.

You mentioned the tree was recently felled.
It's a decent sized chunk - has it fully dried or is there a risk of warping?

[Joker_Disco]

How long did it take from start to finish mate?

Thanks started in August and took about 4 weeks in total but we couldn't finish it becuase we had the rest of the lounge to complete.

You mentioned the tree was recently felled.
It's a decent sized chunk - has it fully dried or is there a risk of warping?

Hi mate.

I suspect it was still quite wet when installed and over the last few weeks a lovely crack as appeared right through the middle and I had hoped for a bit of warping just to get that traditional oak effect but I suspect this wont happen now as its been treated with danish oil. The heating has been on full blast for last three weeks but no further sign of warping or cracking.

[Colour Republic]

Green oak will carry on drying and getting the shakes for years. I wouldn't worry about it as it's the nature of the beast.

[mantis999]

nice job

[dave_39]

Excellent job Disco, looks really good.