We bought an Edwardian(1901) 3-bed semi last year which had the
original cast iron fireplaces upstairs in the 3 bedrooms but downstairs
in the 2 reception rooms they had sadly been replaced by rather
unattractive 1970's fireplaces which I've removed.
I'd like to fit original (or decent reproduction) cast iron fireplaces
in these rooms but am unsure of the size but can probably guesstimate
based on the size of the fireplace on the largest bedroom upstairs.
In this bedroom the fireplace is 43" wide * 43" high and the chimney
breast is 58" wide. The height of the ceiling in all rooms,upstairs and
downstairs, is 9 feet.
Downstairs the the chimney breasts are 64" wide , ie 6" wider than
upstairs.
The upstairs fireplaces are entirely made of cast iron whereas
downstairs I would like fireplaces with tiled inserts and wooden
mantle.
I've seen one on sale locally which is 45" high * 51" wide.
Do you think that this size would be in the correct proportion?
ps. I'm trying to buy privately as I can't afford the price the
fireplace shops in London charge.
Any advice greatly appreciated.

wrote:
We bought an Edwardian(1901) 3-bed semi last year which had the
original cast iron fireplaces upstairs in the 3 bedrooms but
downstairs in the 2 reception rooms they had sadly been replaced by
rather unattractive 1970's fireplaces which I've removed.
I'd like to fit original (or decent reproduction) cast iron fireplaces
in these rooms but am unsure of the size but can probably guesstimate
based on the size of the fireplace on the largest bedroom upstairs.
In this bedroom the fireplace is 43" wide * 43" high and the chimney
breast is 58" wide. The height of the ceiling in all rooms,upstairs
and downstairs, is 9 feet.
Downstairs the the chimney breasts are 64" wide , ie 6" wider than
upstairs.
The upstairs fireplaces are entirely made of cast iron whereas
downstairs I would like fireplaces with tiled inserts and wooden
mantle.
I've seen one on sale locally which is 45" high * 51" wide.
Do you think that this size would be in the correct proportion?
ps. I'm trying to buy privately as I can't afford the price the
fireplace shops in London charge.
Any advice greatly appreciated.

Ideally a fireplace of Victorian/Edwardian era, 4" to 6" space either side
of the chimney breast is a suitable arrangement so that 51" wide is quite
suitable.

--
Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite

"The3rd Earl Of Derby" wrote in message
...
wrote:
We bought an Edwardian(1901) 3-bed semi last year which had the
original cast iron fireplaces upstairs in the 3 bedrooms but
downstairs in the 2 reception rooms they had sadly been replaced by
rather unattractive 1970's fireplaces which I've removed.
I'd like to fit original (or decent reproduction) cast iron fireplaces
in these rooms but am unsure of the size but can probably guesstimate
based on the size of the fireplace on the largest bedroom upstairs.
In this bedroom the fireplace is 43" wide * 43" high and the chimney
breast is 58" wide. The height of the ceiling in all rooms,upstairs
and downstairs, is 9 feet.
Downstairs the the chimney breasts are 64" wide , ie 6" wider than
upstairs.
The upstairs fireplaces are entirely made of cast iron whereas
downstairs I would like fireplaces with tiled inserts and wooden
mantle.
I've seen one on sale locally which is 45" high * 51" wide.
Do you think that this size would be in the correct proportion?
ps. I'm trying to buy privately as I can't afford the price the
fireplace shops in London charge.
Any advice greatly appreciated.

Ideally a fireplace of Victorian/Edwardian era, 4" to 6" space either side
of the chimney breast is a suitable arrangement so that 51" wide is quite
suitable.


While browsing in 'Borders' I chanced across two Haynes Manuals
the Victorian House and the Thirties House. Both contained lots
of info for understanding the build practises and restoration / maintenance
of such properties.

--

Brian

jgkgolf wrote:
Downstairs the the chimney breasts are 64" wide , ie 6" wider than
upstairs.
The upstairs fireplaces are entirely made of cast iron whereas
downstairs I would like fireplaces with tiled inserts and wooden
mantle.
I've seen one on sale locally which is 45" high * 51" wide.
Do you think that this size would be in the correct proportion?
ps. I'm trying to buy privately as I can't afford the price the
fireplace shops in London charge.

You can't base the size of fire downstairs with whatever
is upstairs. Go to your fireplace shop and have a look
at what they've got. You'll want the dimensions of the
opening, too. There's probably some info. on-line - look
for the "Gallery" range for a start. You may have some
luck buying out-of-area (cheaper). I wouldn't buy an
"antique" fireplace if you are going to actually use it.

Have you browsed ebay for fireplaces?

http://tinyurl.com/bqotf

--
Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite

Chris Bacon wrote:
jgkgolf wrote:
Downstairs the the chimney breasts are 64" wide , ie 6" wider than
upstairs.
The upstairs fireplaces are entirely made of cast iron whereas
downstairs I would like fireplaces with tiled inserts and wooden
mantle.
I've seen one on sale locally which is 45" high * 51" wide.
Do you think that this size would be in the correct proportion?
ps. I'm trying to buy privately as I can't afford the price the
fireplace shops in London charge.

You can't base the size of fire downstairs with whatever
is upstairs. Go to your fireplace shop and have a look
at what they've got. You'll want the dimensions of the
opening, too. There's probably some info. on-line - look
for the "Gallery" range for a start. You may have some
luck buying out-of-area (cheaper). I wouldn't buy an
"antique" fireplace if you are going to actually use it.

Shouldn't that be...

"I wouldn't buy an "antique" fireplace if I was going to actually use it".
:-)

--
Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite