Covering a Fireplace

[Eastender]

Hi I we have just had a free standing gas fire removed, so now have a hole in the wall. Can anyone advise me the best way to cover it please. I was thinking of blocking it in with a sheet of board or metal and putting something infront to cover it. I am not sure if we would be able to drill a piece of wood into the wall. Thankyou

[Postdog]

I had a similar thing when I removed a fire - terrible draught from the chimney. I basically blocked the hole with a blanket (which could easily be pulled away leaving it a chimney again) and covered the fireplace hole with a sheet of boarding cut to fit the hole more or less exact. I couldn't nail or screw either, so I stuck it with Duct tape. DIdn't look posh, but looked OK.

[theshedman]

Hi, whatever you do to cover the hole, make sure that you put a vent in at the bottom or you will get problems with the chimney ie damp and or stains.

[Eastender]

Thanks for the answers.

[36TEAK36]

I did this recently to my 2 fireplaces.

I purchased some wooden batons and plasterboard from Wickes. I fixed the batons down each side of the chimney breast and then 4 more batons down the front of the chimney breast. I then cut the plasteboard to the correct length and fixed it to the batons, and then plastered over the board. Then I cut a rectangular hole about 6 inches from the bottom where I have fixed a vent.

It was much easier to do than I thought it would be, and I am sure even the most basic of DIYers could manage it. You will have to drill holes into the wall to secure the batons though.