Making old Fireplace Look Good - Seal up or Turn into Alcove? Re-generate an old or tired space and give it a fresh breath of life. Click here for answers, information and tips

[john9159]

In several programmes such as Escape to the Country, Location Location I have seen fireplaces which have been made into an alcove.
I presume that the chimney immediately above the fire place opening has therefore been sealed. How does this affect ventilation?
Also, some fireplaces I've seen locally are sealed up with brick and no ventilation plate used. I have not seen any damp patches in all the years since this work had been done.
I want to adopt one or the other (alcove or seal) to two fireplaces in my 1920's semi and would appreciate some advice.

[welsh brickie]

ideally it must be vented, if you don't want to fit one and damp does occur then fit it. Don't cap the chimney pot ,leave the flue open on the chimney stack to allow air into the flue though