Modification to chimney breast Ask questions and find answers on a range of subjects relating to self build projects

[BOBMCCAUSLAND]

Hi,

I am planning on opening up a chimney breast to allow me to use the dead space for our TV. Plan is to remove the brickwork from the front of the chimney breast from the floor up to a height of 1.2m. Once opened I will use a wall bracket with an extending arm, fitted to the internal wall of the chimney breast, and this will hold the TV flush with the front surface of the chimney breast. Beneath the TV I will a couple of shelves to put the DVD player etc. on.

I would imagine that I should put a lintel supporting the top half of the remaining chimney breast, and I was thinking of putting a board above the TV to seal off the chimney. I'll put holes in the board for ventilation and fit a filter on top to stop dust from dropping onto the TV and into the living room.

Are there any other considerations, and what type of lintel should I use (chimney breast is 1.2m across)?

Thanks in advance!
Bob

[Perry525]

You will be able to obtain a suitable lintel from B&Q or Wicks.
The lintel is only required to support the triangle of bricks above the opening.
You must block off the top of the chimney to stop the rain coming down and possibly killing your TV.

If the chimney is part of an outside wall, common practice is to fit ventilation at the top and bottom of the chimney to provide a means of removing condensation,
this however will also provide an escape route for the warmth in the room, as it will make its way through the single brick wall of the chimney brest and the holes in your piece of ply, into and up the chimney.
If the chimney is in the middle of the house then your proposal will lead to the warmth and the water vapour in the room migrating up the chimney as both warmth and water vapour always move to cold.

Probably the best solution is to remove the complete chimney from top to bottom.