double sided fireplace
Hi I need help. We are removing the walls either side of what is currently a single sided fireplace. We need to add support beams each side, the issue is they will butt on the side of the original fireplace structure making it look like the fireplace should only be in one room. See the images below where you can clearly see the size of the fireplace in one of the room. We want to make this a double sided fireplace and have thought about building it out a little bit we don’t have the room to make it the same size as the current one. How can I make this not look like we’ve just taking the wall out and left the fireplace in one room. It’s difficult to explain but when you look at it side on the original fireplace structure will make it look like it’s more in one room and not in the centre.
Comments (9)
PRO7 years ago
7 years agoI've been thinking about this one for day, and I think i finally fell in what you're trying to describe.
The depth of the beam will not go across the whole depth of the chimney stack, and will be on one side. Like this?
If that's what you mean, then build a false beam so that the whole thing is chunky and Chimney stack width .
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PRO7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoHi Diane,
I think this has all gotten a little confused.
Brandler the idea looks to be to remove the walls either side of the fireplace not to add alcoves. The new steel beam would be needed to pick up the floors and any walls above the removed walls. Maths Wife I don't think you are far off but the RSJ would be on the opposite side (over the existing wall), so where you have marked a false beam.
The two options I can think to remedy the problem of the fireplace looking more within one room than the other are to extend the boxing around the new beam so that it comes to the front of the fireplace on both sides and so that both sides are even. This may not give the look you are after. So the other option is to form a false chimney breast in the room which will be sharing the fire. This will though set the fire deeper into the recess. Or as a bonus third option you could combine the two and come out with a false chimney a little into the second room and then extend the beam boxing almost to the front of the existing chimney breast.
Good luck and let us all know how you get on.
Ohh and as a shameless plug, which seems to upset some people, here is a double sided fire we designed on a previous project.
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7 years ago- PRO7 years ago
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Maths Wife