I am contemplating making a change to my fireplace. I want to take out a row of bricks to increase the height of my fireplace opening. How difficult would it be to take out the brick and move the steel plate that spans the opening? The reason for this is I want to place a free standing stove in my fireplace. Any idea on cost of this small project?
I just had similar work done to my masonry fireplace. However, I was lucky in that the low lintel (the steel plate) was not the structural lintel, it was the lintel for the face. It is my understanding that the structural lintel cannot be moved without significant work being done to the whole fireplace.
Im looking at woodstock stoves. Its 28" 1/8. If i take out a line of bricks that would get me 30" or more which would fit many free standing options.
You could do a heck of a lot worse than putting in a WS stove. Guess the trick is to find out if the linel is structural on yours.
Structural Lintels are generally heavy angle iron, would take a bit to remove the old one but it would have to be reinstalled. It can be done, however it could turn into a bit of a project if your not masonry skilled. Temp bracing could be in order as well. Lots to consider
I'm pretty handy but that's not something I'd want to tackle. Masonry structures, too easy to mess up and cause cracks.
Get a professional Mason (preferably one that specializes in building masonry fireplaces) to make sure the lintel in question is in fact non structural before doing anything. As has been stated already, structural lintels are usually very heavy angle iron, but I have seen antique installs that have a very thick steel plate that will possibly appear bowed if it is structural from the sheer weight on it.
It would probably be easier to extend the hearth, if possible, and get a rear vent stove. The Woodstock PH would work with the short legs.
Our Palladian, Keystone, Fireview, and Progress Hybrid (with short legs) would fit with the current lintel height. Centerline flue height is 22.75". All can use 6" pipe so you could potentially install any of these models without modification to the fireplace. Give a call if you have questions, 800-866-4344. Jamie B. Woodstock Soapstone
28.5 is the height of the stove (top). The centerline flue height is listed just below that. Too many numbers. Lol!
