Can I enlarge my fireplace opening?

If you want to enlarge your fireplace beyond the original opening, it’s best to consult a specialist builder as it can be a big, complex job. Once you’ve reached the jambs and lintel, you’re nearly done!

How can I make my fireplace look wider?

Add planked wood above the fireplace. A nice way to make your fireplace look bigger and your ceiling higher is to install planked wood above it. It’s a dramatic look and you can paint the planks in any color to compliment your room.

How do you decorate a fireplace opening?

1. No Heat Required.
2. Fill It With Fire-Ready Logs Anyway.
3. Embrace a More Organic Design.
4. Fake Stacked Logs With a DIY Summer Front.
5. Place Tiered Candles Inside.
6. Cover It With an Ornate Fire Screen.
7. Use It as a Shadow Box to Display a Favorite Object.
8. Handsome Firebox.

How do you fill a large gap in a fireplace?

Instructions

1. Remove the Loose Mortar. Remove the fire grate from the fireplace and use a fireplace brush and dustpan to sweep out the firebox.
2. Clean the Mortar Joints.
3. Fill the Joints With Caulk.
4. Smooth the Caulked Joints.
5. Cure the Caulk.

How do you put a new lintel in a fireplace?

How to Fit a Lintel in a Chimney – A DIYers Guide!

1. Decide On Lintel Height.
2. Remove a Brick Either Side Where The Lintel Will Be Installed.
3. Cut Lintel To Size.
4. Install the Lintel On a Bed of Mortar.
5. Re-lay Any Remaining Bricks.
6. Make Good Any Surrounding Work.

How do you cover a gap in a fireplace?

What can I use to cover an unused fireplace?

1. Fireplace covers.
2. Fireplace dampers.
3. Flue sealers.
4. Fireplace inserts.
5. Fireplace vent covers.
6. Chimney caps.
7. Fireplace blankets.
8. Fabric draft stoppers.

How do you hide the gap between a wall and a fireplace?

If the assumption are right and the gap is 3/4 inch wide, I would use a caulking backer in the gap before using a good grade painter’s or acrylic caulk as a topper. The caulking backer is a round foam solid tube that can be cut to length, inserted into the gap to seal it and hold the caulk.

Do old fireplaces have lintels?

Fireplace lintels can be an integral part of any traditional open fireplace, in which many other types of fireplaces such as electric, gas and wood stoves can also be found installed.

Can you drill into a fireplace lintel?

Yes, you may use a hammer drill or normal drill along with masonry drill bits, but the ideal tool for this task is a rotary hammer with an SDS drill bit.

How do I fill the gaps in my brick fireplace?

Use a masonry sealant to fill holes. I like a tube like this one because you can just squeeze it in. After filling in the hole, smooth it out. Because brick is a rough surface, I find that using a finger works better than any tool.

What does a lintel in a fireplace look like?

What Does A Fireplace Lintel Look Like? Fireplace lintels typically look like a long piece of material that stretches across the span of the fireplace opening. Lintels will vary in shape and size depending on the size of the fireplace opening, loading, and materials used, and may be supported by a steel section.

Should my fireplace have a lintel?

You should always have a lintel above your fireplace to support the weight of the chimney. In most properties the lintel will be made of a non-combustible material such as concrete, slate or granite, but in some cases it will be wooden.

Do fake fireplaces add value?

While an electric fireplace may not increase the value of a property in the same way a gas fireplace can, a budget-conscious consumer can create a beautiful setting with a premium electric fireplace unit. This, in turn, can create a more desirable living space.

How do you enlarge the opening of a fireplace?

Locate the lintel of the fireplace — a bar made of stone that supports the foundation. Proceed to knock down bricks with a hammer to make the opening of the fireplace bigger, leaving the lintel intact. Do not remove more than a few bricks on each side.

How to decorate the space above a fireplace?

If the space above your fireplace is lined with wall molding, consider using this trim as a canvas for décor. Treat the molding like a frame, and hang some art inside it. And if you really want to get creative, you can subvert expectations by hanging the art off-center. Basket walls have become a classic decorative accent in boho interior design.

How do you make a fireplace lintel bigger?

Place the mantel in another room. Locate the lintel of the fireplace — a bar made of stone that supports the foundation. Proceed to knock down bricks with a hammer to make the opening of the fireplace bigger, leaving the lintel intact. Do not remove more than a few bricks on each side.

How to renovate a fireplace in your home?

Always contact a contractor before starting renovation work to assess the foundation of the fireplace and the home. Contact your local city office to learn of any regulations or mandated inspections that have to be completed before or after the renovation. Follow the instructions exactly to prevent your project from taking longer than expected.