Rustic fireplace-build - limestone or brick?

Hi all

I've long had a notion to rip out the ugly brick fireplace in my old cottage and rebuild it to my own design, in either a more-rustic-looking brick or alternatively, white limestone.

I wondered if anyone had any comments on the pros and cons of either material. If I use the limestone (which I can get for next to nothing where I live, because it's lying around all over the place, due to the geology of the area) it'll be very irrgular sized pieces, which will mean that the stone and its joints will tent to collect dust and perhaps be a chore to keep clean.

Obviously, brick would be an easier material to work with due to the uiniformity of shape and the ease of cutting. I've seen some attractive old-style bricks with some interesting colours in them, but I'd have to buy them for top dollar at Jewsons. I feel that the colour of bricks gives give a welcome impression or warmth even when there is no fire in place - whereas white limestone arguably has a colder look. My cottage is old - built in 1850s, so any modern brick (no matter how rustic-looking) is going to end up looking contemporary. The room where the fireplace is, has heavy oak beams in the ceiling, so perhaps the stone would look more natural authentic, as it's ubiquitous to the area.

I was once a trained brickie and used to build houses with rough stone, so either material woild be a synch to work with for me.

Any input would be much appreciated. I thought I'd ask here first, rather than just toss a coin ......and then wish I'd chosen the other option!

Regards,

JakeD

Reply to
JakeD
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Is the building listed?

Reply to
Peter Crosland

Nah, it's straight and level. Ba boom :)

Reply to
Dave Baker

Peter Crosland wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@brightview.co.uk:

Hi Peter - No, it isn't listed.

JD

Reply to
JakeD

You can buy a precast refactory cement fireplace/firebox and build on what you like in front of it.. This sort of thing:-

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Reply to
harryagain

If you are going to do it with the intention of really having a fire why not go the whole hog and install a wood burning stove instead?

We had one of those monstrosities in the house when we bought it except that it was rough cut light sandstone and yes it was a PITA and trapped the dirt and ash and discoloured at the edges with smoke.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but these days I'd be a lot more inclined to install a stove rather than an open fire. We did seriously consider an Arts&Crafts era cast iron insert open fire which would have been more in keeping with the building but opted for energy efficiency and convenience in the end.

White limestone might be a bit too prone to showing the dirt even when it is fairly clean. Like white cars - OTOH it would give the room a brighter focus whether the fire was lit or not.

Reply to
Martin Brown

We remodeled the fireplace when we moved to this place, using

100-year-old bricks, recovered from an old dump in a bit of scrub woodland near where we used to live (I'd had my eye on them for several years). They needed cleaning up with brick acid, but have the mfr's mark clearly stamped on them in the frogs, which we have facing up and visible on the wide hearth. They're also a bit rough and chipped around the edges and vary a little in depth of colour. We're very pleased with the result. The brickie who installed them for us was very sceptical at first, saying that new bricks would look much smarter, but when he'd finished he was impressed with the result and decided to do his own fireplace with rough rustic brick, although I suspect still new ones.
Reply to
Chris Hogg

Martin Brown wrote in news:FcEnu.12690 $ snipped-for-privacy@fx36.am:

Thanks to all for the input. Yes, I think that the limestone has some appeal. But then, so does brick. I should mention that the fireplace (and surround) is only going to house a gas fire - so there won't be oodles of soot to contend with. I'm only going to rebuid the outer surround - nit the inner part where the appliance goes.

I have an idea of incorporating an old railway sleeper as the mantlepiece.

JD

Reply to
JakeD

notice there is no further helpful advice forthcoming now you've told Peter Panic that?

Thankfully he can't now do his party piece & say "oooh noooo you can't do that without planning permission, Listed Building consent,,,,,, yadad yada yada"

it's his "thing" you know?

some mothers etc;>)

Jim K

Reply to
Jim K

Peter's comments are usually very much to the point and useful, IMHO.

What about Building Control?

Robert

Reply to
RobertL

Will the sleeper not smell of creosote as it warms up ??

Also, is there a possibility of forming quicklime with the lime stone surround??

Baz

Reply to
Baz

You can get new untreated hardwood sleepers. See for example

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Other suppliers are also available!

Below 500C (very dull red heat, imperceptible except in a fully darkened room), quicklime formation from limestone is insignificant, but it starts to form more quickly above about 750C (a good bright red). As long as the surround itself doesn't get too hot it shouldn't be a problem. Not so sure about cracking due to expansion/contraction though.

Reply to
Chris Hogg

Chris Hogg wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

That's something I hadn't thought of. I think the joints would crack before the stone, as the limestone is extremely tough. The previous brick surround didnlt crack, so I guess the limestone would be even less likely to. Still, it might make sense to use a weak mix mortar.

JD

Reply to
JakeD

"Baz" wrote in news:DqmdnZKJftsA0ALPnZ2dnUVZ8q- snipped-for-privacy@bt.com:

That's something I hadn't thought of - thanks. I presume that any such vapours given off would lessen as time passess. I have seen creosote-free railway sleepers for sale, but but they appear to be freshly sawn, whereas the cresoted ones seem to have been in use and have become dented, gnarled and battle-scarred, which is the sort of look that fits my vision of a tuly "old" looking cottage fireplace.

I used to do a lot of fake aging of wood in a past career, so I could probably do some fake wear & tear on a freshly-sawn sleeper at a pinch.

JD

Reply to
JakeD

and shitty! Or don't train toilets discharge directly onto the track anymore. Been decades since I was in one.

Reply to
Chris Hogg

Quite. Thanks for your kind comment. All JK can ever do is criticise, and he never offers any constructive information which I why I have kill filed him. Many people don't realise the consequences of breaching the rules on listed buildings particularly the fact that it can be a criminal offence.

It is always worth asking BC. I have never understood those who don't see the advantage in establishing a good rapport with BCO. It is basic psychology to follow the advice in Matthew 5.25. to agree with your adversary early. BCOs can make life easy, or difficult, for you but as human beings, most of them, respond positively to a civilised approach. Many have lots of experience and may be able to offer suggestions that the applicant has not thought of.

Reply to
Peter Crosland

There was a 70's "thing" here:

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Behind which was the original fire opening, now fitted with a woodburner:

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If you are at all sensitive about a bit of muck having a real fire is probably not a good idea. B-) Discolouration is patina of use.

White as in really very pale probably wouldn't be a good idea. But is this cottage brick built or stone built? I'd go for what ever the building material has be used for the main construction. Ours is random stone, the stone you see above are the inside of the real walls.

The reveal is to accomodate 50 mm of PIR foam and 12.5 mm of PB to stop said solid stone walls haemorrhaging heat...

Reply to
Dave Liquorice

"Dave Liquorice" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@srv1.howhill.co.uk:

It is actually built of the same white limestone I'm considering using for the fireplace. However the cottage was rendered years ago, so you can't see the stonework any more.

JD

Reply to
JakeD

"Dave Liquorice" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@srv1.howhill.co.uk:

That 70s thing looks quite decent to my eyes! Id much rather have that than a bare, plastered wall to look at. Obviously, not everyone has the same tastes, and styles come and go ...and often come back again. Funnily enough, the brickwork I intend to replace, has plinths on either side, similar to the one in your photo. However, I intend to make the thing look more 1870s than 1970s, despite the stone plinths, which I've found extremely huseful for siting stereo system, table lamps, TV etc.

JD

Reply to
JakeD

Oh, my lawdy... That is truly hideous.

Reply to
Adrian

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