We have a brick fireplace in our house that functions fine but is not our style. It is too large for the room and is not very attractive. We’re considering having the hearth removed and replacing it with tiles and remove or cover the brick surround in a similar fashion. We’d also like to convert the fireplace into a woodburning pizza/bread oven if possible. Can anyone tell me how complicated/expensive this project might be? Any tips or other ideas?
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Any of these ideas MIGHT be possible but you need an experience fireplace man on site to evaluate the whole job. There are many variables, structural, fire code, etc. to be considered.
The least expensive is that the surrond can be overlaid with tiles with out removing brick.
As to size, A chimney and firebox are sized/designed together. Change the dimensions of one and you change the function of the other.
A hearth must be non-combustible materials extending 12" to either side of the firebox openning and 18" to the front. Some local codes require more than that.
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Thanks--I'm planning on having a fireplace contractor out to take a look but just wanted to fish for a few ideas first. I don't really have any knowlege about fireplace construction so I'm not sure what's even possible and what's too expensive to consider.