Post by gogreengowhite on Jun 2, 2015 7:38:57 GMT -5
Okay, I've posted about how we are taking down the brick surrounding our fireplace to put in built-ins.
We have used the fireplace exactly zero times since we moved in 5 1/2 years ago. The room is bitter cold in the winter no matter what we stuff in the chimney.
I am really considering covering the fireplace during our remodel. How horrible is this idea?
When I asked my H how long he thinks we will live in this house his answer was "for-evah-Eva"
Having a "real" wood-burning (not gas) fireplace is high on our wishlist for when we buy a home someday, so as a potential buyer I'd be upset if there was a "real" fireplace that had been covered up.
That being said, I think this is an uncommon opinion and if you do plan on being in the home "forever" and you've never used the fireplace, then do what's right for you!
I don't understand how a room can be cold with a wood burning fire. i sit by the fire in my living room in the winter and it gets so hot I have to strip down to a tank top!
You juts have to sit on the floor in front of it. And the bricks should heat up and radiate heat!
Why is the room bitter cold? That might be something worth addressing before losing the fireplace.
If someone would have to do demo to make it functional, that would be a non-starter for me. And it would make it difficult if not impossible for the fireplace to be inspected during the home buying process.
I can tell you that my great aunt has a fireplace she rarely uses. My uncle made an insert from hard insulation board, some weather stripping and fabric she picked out. (I was impressed with his craftiness, TBH) It pops into the opening when the fireplace isn't being used and then she can remove it when she wants a fire.
Post by gogreengowhite on Jun 2, 2015 8:24:43 GMT -5
I didn't grow up with a fireplace in my house. Having one scares me, so we never use it. We did discover that our laminate hardwood is directly on top of the concrete slab so that is a main reason for the cold.
But there is still a draft that comes in from that wall.
Okay this idea might have been out of laziness so we wouldn't have to do so much extra work with the surround.
If the room is still bitter cold with the fire going I would say you have bigger issues in the room than covering up a fireplace.
It fires aren't your thing NBD. Most people would not understand getting rid of it. I mean, they are cozy and make me feel like it is winter. So if re-sale is in your mind don't do it.
If re-sale isn't an issue you do you.
I do think even if you don't use it they are a nice focal piece in a room.
I didn't grow up with a fireplace in my house. Having one scares me, so we never use it. We did discover that our laminate hardwood is directly on top of the concrete slab so that is a main reason for the cold.
But there is still a draft that comes in from that wall.
Okay this idea might have been out of laziness so we wouldn't have to do so much extra work with the surround.
If the draft is coming from the wall, I don't see how drywalling ove rthe fireplace is going to solve that at all. The draft isn't necessarily coming from the fireplace, then.
Has the chimney/flue be inspected? It shouldn't be drawing cold air into the room.
So the cold has ntohing to do with the fireplace...so again...a fireplace could help warm the room. You could get a gas insert, for example, that was tied to your thermostat and would go on and heat the room pretty effectively. If you are concerned about the cold, you should rip up the laminate and consider some radiant floor heating.
Your solution just doesn't seem to make sense to me given what you have described as the issues, and in fact, I think you could make some changes to the room that would improve it and make it more likely to use it that would incorporate the fireplace.
Having a "real" wood-burning (not gas) fireplace is high on our wishlist for when we buy a home someday, so as a potential buyer I'd be upset if there was a "real" fireplace that had been covered up.
That being said, I think this is an uncommon opinion and if you do plan on being in the home "forever" and you've never used the fireplace, then do what's right for you!
I'm here too. I was going to suggest also kind of what LoveTrains suggested...If your budget allows why not put in an insert? We have a wood burning one that we use to help heat our draft 100 year old house in the winter (and, well, the last two nights...it's cold in Cleveland in June!!) and we LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It would help with your cold problems and leave a functional fireplace. I personally vastly perfer a woodburner, but I totally get someone who doesn't want to deal with wood. I'd look into gas inserts if that's your preference way before I'd cover it up. They aren't too expensive and would likely make your home way way cozier in helping to minimize (or at least hide!) the drafts.
My opinion depends on whether it is a true masonry fireplace or an old zero clearance wood burning prefab. If it's the former, while I think it's weird to covert it up, nbd as long as you tell potential buyers about it down the line. My mom did that to one (of two in the house) growing up. I've seen pics from the current owners selling and they uncovered it. But I'd put in gas logs or a pellet insert instead. I love warm fires
The draftiness plus the brick facade you pulled down kind leads me toward thinking it might be a prefab. In which case just rip the whole damn thing out. Especially if it's 20-ish years old. OMG the hassle and expense we've gone through with out older prefab. Now we are just putting in a pellet insert, but even that is killing me on cost. I wish we had just ripped it out and used the space for an alcove and pellet stove. Would have given me a pantry upstairs, too.
Does it make a difference if we are just covering so if someone wanted it they could uncover it and it would be totally functional?
I'd be annoyed as a buyer, since the first thing I'd do would be to uncover it so I could use it. That being said, it wouldn't stop me from buying the house if I liked the house enough otherwise.
Post by gogreengowhite on Jun 2, 2015 8:49:00 GMT -5
LoveTrains I know you're right. The fireplace will stay.
We pulled the brick down so we could insulate the walls to hopefully help with the cold. We are looking at either radiant heat flooring or just a subfloor over the concrete. @shoegal what was the subfloor you did in your basement?
Only when we moved in. How often should they be inspected?
I'm not sure - we only had it done once. We should get them back in, actually, because something got screwed up and we couldn't make a fire all winter.
Just wondering if you got it inspected because of the draft issue.
I don't understand how a room can be cold with a wood burning fire. i sit by the fire in my living room in the winter and it gets so hot I have to strip down to a tank top!
You juts have to sit on the floor in front of it. And the bricks should heat up and radiate heat!
Why is the room bitter cold? That might be something worth addressing before losing the fireplace.
This. Is it possible the flu isn't properly vented? Do you have doors on the fireplace, or a screen? I'd at least have a contractor who specializes in fireplaces take a look at it before you make any major decisions. They do exist, I just got one for our home and we had the entire liner and flu in our fireplace replaced.
Okay, I'm looking at gas inserts. They are a minimum of 2k and we would need to have a gas line run.
Am I looking at the right thing?
Yes. But there are lots out there that are cheaper. To actually generate heat that will help, you'll want to make sure it has a blower. It doesn't necessarily have to be rated for a space large enough to heat your whole house, since you'll be using it as supplemental heat. Ours (woodburner) is rated for up to 1500 square feet. House is about 2200, so while it keeps the first floor toasty warm, it doesn't do (and wasn't intended to do) the whole house).
I believe @shoegal just had a gas line run (unless she decided against it...?) and can prob give you an approximate estimate of the cost.
gogreengowhite, we had that same design layout in our home and same issue - it would be SO COLD in the winter because that room is built on the slab.
When I was about 10, my parents converted to gas fireplace, and I strongly recommend that. We used the fireplace WAY more when it was gas and we just had to flip a switch.
The other thing they did is they ripped up the carpet (it was builder grade at the time) and they installed an insulating subfloor. They have evolved since then, here is the one we used in our basement and it is a VERY EASY diy project and will make about 6 degrees of difference in the room (which is huge in MI winters). www.dricore.com/en/index.aspx You can buy these via special order at Home Depot (up by you they may stock them, actually).
And, lurknomore, you are right - I had to have a gas line run to convert my stove from electric to gas, and it was $960. But things tend to be pricier down here.
Happy to ask my parents if there is anything else they did - the room went from being an icebox to being very cozy with those changes.
(And, my two cents - don't cover the fireplace! Though I admit I am biased, we have 3 fireplaces and a wood burning stove in our house so clearly I am a neanderthal who loves fire.)