Ready to hire?

Post your job in minutes, browse real reviews and choose who to speak to.Post a job

Need some tips or advice?

Chimney & Fireplace

Building out an existing chimney and lowering the height of the opening

Anonymous user 23/02/2024 - 3.18 PM

Hello, I have stripped my chimney back to the brick work so the opening is a big as it can be without removing the brick arch. I want to lower the height of the opening (but leave the existing brick arch in place) and bring out the whole chimney so it is about 3inches deeper, can i just use wood studwork to lower the opening and clad it in fireboard? or do i need to install a concrete lintel and infill with bricks?

Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?

1 Answer

Usk Stoves Ltd

Rating: 5 out of 5

Usk

A couple of ways of doing this. Personally I would avoid timber studding due to heat issues but you can use it if you put a good quality fireboard on top. You need to check the manufacturers instructions for the board. I would recommend using a metal stud which is 50mm then put a 25mm Skamotec board on. This will give you your 75mm. I would use the board to line the chamber and create the size of opening you want. Use ordinary plaster board down the outside of the chimney breast to save cost. Tape / bead the corners and give a quick skim with either plaster or ready made filler. Easy to work with and gives a great finish but it is a bit more expensive. Look on line for installation videos.

Answered25 August 2018