Need Advice: How to Restore a Fireplace (see attached pic)

Would like to resort to the hive of this forum. I am trying to figure out what to do with the bricked over fireplace at my house. I don’t plan on making it fully functional as it can be prohibitively expensive but I would like to get it closer to the original condition without having the brick all over it. One idea was to find a metal cover that will match the mantel but I have hard time finding that. Another is to remove the brick and make that space more attractive. Anything else? Any idea who can help me with this? Any pointers are appreciated. Thank you.

deva

in Chimney and Fireplace 8 years and 6 months ago

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daroogle | 8 years and 5 months ago

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There’s normally a section of flat marble (made up of 3-4 pieces) between the legs of fireplace surround and the opening that reduce the opening so a 30″ wide x 32″ high summer cover fits. My house had none of its original mantels but I found nice original replacements on craigslist in nyc/boston. They came with summer covers that had 30 coats of paint on them that I stripped off. I had a fireplace guy reassemble the marble sections. I ran gas lines to each and used ventless coal burning units (Allowed in hoboken not sure in NYC). Go for it!

javaking | 8 years and 5 months ago

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Hi Deva – Call Manny LaSalle he is a fireplace/masonry expert located in Brooklyn. He can come take a look and recommend what would look best. Either a metal insert and summer door or possibly tile depending on cost restrictions. Manny is half the price of every fireplace guy I contacted when replaced 2 fireplaces in my brownstone. Instead of painting it black, he covered any exposed area with black granite which looks flawless (picture attached) Manny LaSalle (917) 292-1825

redlandsgirl | 8 years and 6 months ago

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Since you will have a difficult time finding the cast iron piece to fit your unique shape, I’d suggest you do what my (high end!) decorator recommended many, many years ago, and that was to paint the area black. The white you currently have pops too much. Black will recede. Perhaps you can find an interesting fire screen to place in front of the area. I notice you do not have a hearth which tells anyone you don’t have a working fireplace so why pretend? Another option is to hire a painter to create a faux fireplace or floral arrangement or train tunnel….whatever suits you! Bottom line…paint it black while you decide.

germaineson73 | 8 years and 6 months ago

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I have repaired many of these. I would recommend a professional. He can have your grill, called summer screen or spark screen, dipped and then painted. worth every penny! You may also need more marble. The opening looks too large for any screen I have seen. Would you consider using the fireplace? Screens are drafty. Call Gary, Hoboken Fireplace. Good guy. Tell him Jersey City John sent you.

cate | 8 years and 6 months ago

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Agree with the idea to get a metal cover, but first find out what is inside. If the boiler is using this chimney, you can’t do anything with the firebox. You can’t open it. But you can put a metal cover on top.

snowman2 | 8 years and 6 months ago

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August, I might be interested in your curved top ring and the insert pictured. I would need the exact measurements – overall height and width of the ring, height and width of the opening, and the width of the ring (6-7″?). Please contact me at j_marali at yahoo dot com. Thanks.

Augustiner | 8 years and 6 months ago

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hi Emilia, the metal does not completely cover the space that is sheetrock right now. There is usually a space between the ornaments and the metal grate. I have attached a picture of my fireplace

deva | 8 years and 6 months ago

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Thank you, for all the advice. Will pursue the various leads… August, thanks for uploading the pics of your cover. Unfortunately, I dont think it will fit. I need smth with 35″ on both sides. I have a strangely narrow mantel. I will contact you if it turns out I can fit smth like yours. Again, very grateful for all the help. Emilia

bobjbkln | 8 years and 6 months ago

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I would start by calling a fireplace restoration company. They would know if they could remove the existing bricks and restore the firebox to look real even if you can’t or don’t want to open the chimney to make it work.