Can you just cover up a fireplace?

Rehabbing your fireplace doesn’t have to mean a major construction project, though. It can be as simple as a fresh paint job on unfinished or previously painted brick. Or it can be a simple construction project, where you cover up the brick with drywall, wood, or tile.

What can you do with a non functioning fireplace?

How to Update a Non-Working Fireplace

• Install an Electric Fireplace Insert.
• Use an Electric Log Set.
• Stack Your Fireplace with Real Logs.
• Brighten the Area with Candles or Lanterns.
• Decorate with Books or Other Unconventional Items.
• Make the Mantel a Focal Point.
• Breathe New Life into Your Non-Working Fireplace.

Can you remove a fireplace but not the chimney?

It is possible to remove the fireplace by itself and leave the stack or chimney flue. The most important aspect of this kind of removal is reinforcement. A lot of supports will need to be installed in order to maintain the structural integrity of your house.

What kind of fireplace does not need a chimney?

5 Types of Chimney-Free Fireplaces:

• Electric Fireplaces.
• Water Vapor Fireplaces.
• Ethanol Fireplaces.
• Ventless Gas Fireplaces.
• Gel Fireplaces.

Do unused chimneys need ventilation?

Unused chimneys not only waste a lot of heat, they also pose a potential damp problem as well as being a cause of smoking fireplaces and stoves. You should cap any unused chimneys with a flue ventilator. The flue ventilator stops rain entry to the chimney but still allows a small amount of air passage for ventilation.

How do I block an unused chimney?

Apply a bead of butyl rubber caulk around three sides of the chimney at the top, and set the cut piece of metal on the chimney so the edges line up with the caulk bead. Press the metal into the caulk. The goal of this metal cap is to prevent rain from coming in, but it shouldn’t be an airtight seal.

Can I board up my fireplace?

Boarding up an opening To block a fireplace up, you can use a piece of plasterboard as an alternative to bricks. Screw the plasterboard to the battens so it is perfectly level with the existing wall. A ventilator plate needs to be fitted into the plasterboard towards the bottom of the fireplace in a central position.

What can I use instead of a fireplace?

• Electric Fireplace. Most people who are seeking a fireplace alternative want to be able to replicate the look and the feeling of a real fire.
• Fake Fire Logs.
• LED Fireplace.
• Decorative Fireplace Mantel.
• Pellet-Burning Appliances.
• Catalytic wood stoves and advanced combustion wood stoves.

Is removing a fireplace a good idea?

But losing a fireplace can affect a home’s appeal and possibly even its resale value, real estate pros say. A fireplace can particularly be viewed as a valuable amenity in colder climates, and removing one could even reduce the number of buyers drawn to a property, some agents say.

Can a ventless fireplace make you sick?

Ventless fireplaces produce small amounts of nitrous dioxide and carbon monoxide which can be deadly in large doses. The CDC warns against exposure of any level of carbon monoxide, stating that up to 500 people die per year due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.

Do fireplaces need chimneys?

A gas fireplace does not need a chimney. There are two main options to choose from, either a vented or ventless gas fireplace. Vented options are safer because they remove toxic fumes from the home and do not deplete the oxygen inside.

Do you need a chimney for a gas fireplace?

With a flueless gas fire, you don’t need to have a chimney at all to enjoy a fireplace. You don’t need to carry out as much building work to install one, either. You will just need to fit a 100cm2 ventilation brick on any exterior wall and connect your fire to a gas pipe.

What is the purpose of a chimney in a house?

Whether is serves a fireplace, wood stove or fireplace insert, the primary function of the chimney is to expel the byproducts of combustion. Those byproducts — as we learned in Firefighter I class — include unburned carbon particles (visible as smoke), water vapor, gases, hydrocarbons, tar fog and assorted minerals.

What does a chimney fire sound like in a house?

If they are at home, homeowners report being startled by a low rumbling sound that reminds them of a freight train or a low-flying airplane. However, don’t be misled and think that a chimney fire is not in progress just because the homeowner doesn’t describe the situation in those terms.

Can you use an empty fireplace as a fireplace?

Just because your fireplace doesn’t work doesn’t mean it’s totally useless. You may not be able light a roaring fire, but you can use the opportunity to get creative with an empty fireplace—you just have to know how to style it.