Is it clever to brick up a fireplace?

[Gyvybe]

We recently made the decision to get rid of an old Glow-worm back boiler system that has a type of heating unit grill that looks like a monstrously ugly fireplace from the dawn of the industrial era.

We were just wondering: is it better to replace the front unit with a more modern and up-to-date gas fake fireplace (as a feature for the room), or should we brick up the gaping hole we'll have, and paint over it as if nothing was there? Would this affect the value of the property if we got rid of the fireplace area? Do British buyers prefer to have these fireplace features in the room?

[Figi]

Many people (myself included) just love real fireplaces where you can have a cosy fire in the evening and/or dispose of sensitive documents without the hassle of shredding them. So my advice would be to get all the back-boiler gubbings removed and restore the whole thing as a proper working fireplace. You won't regret it I promise you.

[laurence2]

Everyone to there own.

But you cannot beat an open fireplace.

I agree with both the previous posts, as for affecting the value of the property, try to keep most of the original features as these can affect the value of these types of property if removed, tho i'm not talking drastic valuation.

I moved into my house and the fireplace had been removed, but the chimney was still intact so i went to a salvage yard to get an old cast iron fireplace, then i put in antique mexican wood surround, the fire is not in working order as part of the chimney was removed and pinned, but boy do i get alot of comments about it, i themed the whole of the room around this, i mixed the old {antiques} and the new {computer} etc.

I recently had my house valued and was well chuffed when the estate agent commented on the room with fireplace.

[Gyvybe]

Thanks everyone for your really helpful comments. Laurence's idea about visiting the salvage site is excellent. I admit that the wall would look a bit bland if it was bricked up but with an extremely narrow and long lounge that we have (property built in 1960s) anything that sticks out in front of a wall makes it tricky to place the furniture around. Very helpful answers nevertheless!

[laurence2]

Gyvybe.

And don't forget to barter when you go to a salvage yard.

I picked up a cast iron fireplace for �30 {they wanted �75} and i cleaned all the rust of it using a wire brush, then treated it with the appropriate paints and hey presto.

[Gyvybe]

Laurence, thanks for the tip. I was actually browsing this site http://www.oldfireplaces.co.uk/fireplace_thumb s1.htm

Just getting some ideas. Now I wonder if it is appropriate to install an original unique fireplace in a property which is obviously not built around the same time? Won't this be against some rule that fittings like this should suit the era of the property? Having said that, I should be sticking with the ugly back boiler to go with the era...

[laurence2]

Most houses do not comply with sticking with the ''era'' these days.

I would'nt go back with the back boiler theme tho.

As long as you feel that it does not look out of place, go ahead with the fireplace.

What looks out of place are people who install false fireplaces & Belfast sinks in newly built propertys ie Barretts houses for example.

Carry on, you will not be dissapointed.

You can even by the original victorian paints these days even from somewhere like BQ.

Give me a budget and a old house any day of the week thankyou very much

[Gyvybe]

Thanks, Laurence, much appreciated.

Considering that there is a chimney in the house and the room layout is not too modern, I can now see that we'd miss out if we bricked it up completely.

I suppose an appointment with the local salvage and reclamation shop is in the pipeline.

Thanks again!