My wood burning fireplace was built flush against the whole wall, (which is completely bricked.) I’ve never been happy with this as it appears very bland. What I’d like to do is build it out about 8″ giving it a more traditional look. I could then build the wall out and create the center wall column like most fireplace rooms. Any ideas on how to pull this off? Can I just add firebricks around the perimiter and build out from there? Are there any saftey concerns besides the obvious fireproofing?
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might have to extend the footing.... but if you can lay bricks... go for it...
investigate 'rumford fireplace " for some practical dimensions
Some people will use angle irons to support brick for the front face of a house where there had been no brick ledge existing. I would think that you could take the same approach with your f.p. Some brick ties to keep it there and I think you should be fine, alternatively you could build it with steel studs, cover it in cement board and use 'thin stone' or a similar product. If you don't mind the look it's probaly easier.
I don't think fire brick would be neccessary, just non combustile
As Mike said, if your adding substantial wieght you will have to support it somehow.
Check your local codes for the distance to combustables pertaining to the surround.
Angle iron for the top of the new opening may be nessassary.
Deepening the firebox Shouldn't negatively effect the draft but I would try a
mock up first to see.
One of the reasons a Rumford fireplace is more efficient is it's shallow firebox,
so you can expect a loss of heat from this change. Althou that probably won't be
noticable.
Fireplace design is said to be part science, part luck, and part witchcraft{G}
Extending that 8"n't likely to affect it's operation, but it may significantly screw it up, to.
Before actually doing it, build a temporary fireproof surround to simulate the final configuration and test it out.