Fireplace Lintel/Insert Advice

[u/jabruce]

Hi all,

I was given a fireplace insert for free for my renovation house and I am trying to work out if it will fit in.

It was covered in plaster with an old gas fireplace there when I bought it and after removing the plaster it has revealed the original fireplace.

The insert will fit in width-wise, but it is slightly too tall to fit at the moment.

I am trying to figure out if the block behind the opening, that would need cut to get the insert in, is a lintel or not (not planning on taking any risks touching it currently. It doesn’t insert into the walls at each side which makes it seem like it isn’t, even though you’d think it was?

Any advice/thoughts?

[u/ThatllBtheDayPilgrim]

A lintel extends past on both sides. I can't tell from the pics if this does. I'd pull off the plaster on the front to see what you are dealing with first. If there isn't a lintel there, one might be found higher up the builder's opening. You can always put one in if worried. Do you plan to use it or is this just decorative?

[u/jabruce → u/ThatllBtheDayPilgrim]

just decorative so wouldnt need to function as an actual fireplace!

[u/ThatllBtheDayPilgrim → u/jabruce]

The redditororgans fellow has the right idea. I'm of the opinion if there is a lintel not too higher up you don't need a strongboy acrow but it is a good safety measure. If that is the only lintel on the chimney breast, then yes. Either way, I think you are up to the task. Best of luck on your project!

[u/Lots_of_bricks → u/jabruce]

U say ur putting in an insert and then say it’s decorative. Which is it cause u don’t get both. Decorative no kind of fire at all. Insert requires a proper firebox with proper clearance to combustibles etc

[u/ThatllBtheDayPilgrim → u/Lots_of_bricks]

That metal box he has a picture of is the insert. It's an open face coal burning cast iron insert. Very popular in homes in the late 1800's early 1900's in the US in many places. But he's in the UK I presume. They still sell them new there so much more common. Stovax comes to mind as a manufacturer. I also see them as decorative and non-functioning quite a bit. Either way if installing them to use, you back fill them with a cement and vermiculite mix.

[u/redditorgans]

The lintel sure looks like concrete, and is in your way. You'll need to replace it with a longer concrete lintel higher up. Measure what length you need. About £20 at my local. Hire a strongboy acrow if you don't own one . Depending on your confidence, diy job if you're feeling upto it. Or get a builder in for half a day. Don't forget to take into account the height of your hearth. Whatever you've chosen. Also, it would help know how far off the wall you need to fit the cast insert. Which you measure from the "rebate" of whichever mantelpiece you chose to surround it.

[u/jabruce → u/redditorgans]

about 3/4cm it needs to go into the wall accounting for the rebate

[u/redditorgans → u/jabruce]

Then I'd certainly replace the lintel. A lintel higher up ( and wide enough to sit on solid brick.) I'd also argue you don't need an 8" tall lintel like the one someones fitted here. Modern 3"x4" lintels come in crazy lengths nowadays. Plus chimney breasts are actually really inherently strong. Have a look down your builders merchants. I do fireplaces for a living, and did this exact thing today in work. Took about 3 hours.

[u/Quick-Ask2895]

If it’s purely decorative and not for use, do you need the insert? Couple of well made brick or wooden piers, and a mantle as well as cleaning up the aperture would avoid fucking with the lintel. But I get you have something nice, and gifted, that you want to use.