To rip out an orginal art deco fireplace?

[audreyroberts]

Hi

i have umed and ahhed for years and years over what to do about an orginal art deco fireplace we have in our house.
The fireplace is really nice BUT it cant have a fire in as the opening is too small for current regulations. And it is a big old house that needs heat! So
my husband is trying to persuade me that nice as it looks it is not 'fit for purpose' and we should just rip out the tiled insert and get a woodburning stove before the winter.
I am worried we will regret it - any opinions?
Thanks

The regulations are only for fires put in NOW.

Val is right. If I unblock the chimney breasts in my house I don't have to change them to meet current requirements, as they are part of the original structure.

You CAN use your fireplace.

Open fires are not very efficient though. If OP has a "big old house that needs heat" then a titchy open fire is not the way to get it warm.

IMO a woodburning stove, which are about 75% fuel efficient,would add as much value as an art deco fireplace, which you might be able to sell anyway.

CAn you move it to another room?

yes lashing is prob right re woodburning stove being attractive to buyers. and then you can sell your art deco one to me

Thanks for all the replies.
In terms of regulations - I don't have a hearth - it was just floor level tiles(not raised and they were really brocken so it now has amtico (lino) flooring over. So we would need a contractor(I have had several out) to put a hearth in and none will do it as it would make opening too small for fire.

I just wish I could decide what to do- I have dithered over it for 5 years now - we keep re visiting it hoping some sort of insert stove will have been invented that fits!

Also cant move it to bedroom- fitted wardrobes.

I had an open fire without a hearth - I just put down a paving slab ( bit rustic!)

Why do you think you need a hearth? Bit of coir matting would do the job - you wouldn't have the fire on when you weren't there would you?

We have three original fireplaces, all working, two with just floor tiles, none of which fit current regulations. Strip back the amtico lino, re-cut it to the size of the hearth and get browsing reclamation sites. Batches of tiles come up all the time, and you can replace the broken ones when you see some that match/complement.
Then get the fire lit- lovely! I couldn't buy a house without an open fire now, and I love love love the one in our bedroom at Christmas time- so cosy!

Yabu

I love art deco

Has been said but get advice from your local fireplace shop. We wanted period fireplaces when we moved into our current house. One room had one but it needed totally overhauling, the other had a horrid 70s fireplace. The shop were brilliant and they said that if we ever moved and the new owners didn't want them, to give them first refusal on the fireplaces or even tiles etc as that was how they got a lot of their goods. I bet if you speak to a shop like this, they can advise you on what needs doing to the fire if it's usable and Ok for your heating needs, or if not they will make you an offer and take it off your hands - then someone else gets to appreciate it. Win win.

Sorry, to add to the above, the fireplace shop refurbished one of ours and replaced the 70s one with a nice period one of theirs. Good shops like this will do all sorts.

We had the same issue OP. The problem is (for other posters not the OP who knows!), if you have a working original fire which doesn't meet building regs, you can use it; if you have an original fire which doesn't work, any work that needs to be done has to meet building regs. So it's unlikely the OP's fire can ever be used.

Despite that, I love original features and wouldn't rip it out. I think (forgive the sanctimonious tone here) if you live in a house with them, you have a moral obligation to keep them - I hate seeing beautiful old houses with modern electric fires in etc (and I know you would be replacing it with something much nicer than that, but still!)

Can you not look into more efficient insulation/central heating/a plug-in electric fire for the winter months? Modern ones are very efficient.

Thanks
So much for the posts. I have had a new boiler last winter which has made a big difference but still I think we would get more use from the room if it had a fire.
eighties chick - i know what you mean I would have thought a shop would offer some sort of solution - I mean i am prepared to chuck money at it!!! But I have taken in photos of it and mearsurements and they all come back with raise the fireplace or stick a woodburner on a hearth in front.

Dh is dead againt raising it as he thinks it wont come off the wall easily and the stirking board in fancy and cut into it so that would need replacing etc.
I am against the woodburner on hearth infront as the room just isnt big enough - would look silly.

where are you 80s chick? - I am near manchester . As I'd appreiate any recommendations of shops/fitters that might have ideas.

YABVVVVVVVVVVVU!!!!!!!!!!

I could string up whoever ripped the original features out of my house !

Audrey I've PM'd you. Hope it helps.

I have sent you a pm reply but I just wanted to thank 80s chick again for the tip. I cant believe how excited I am to have a recommendation of a place that restores fireplaces rather than just sells new ones. I am going to 'mumsnet' all my problems from now on!!!