A fireplace is cozy, warm, and comforting. This is true for many people, but some would opt to take out their fireplace from their home. Why would someone want to remove a fireplace?
Well, it turns out that a fireplace is not a desirable feature for every homeowner. Older fireplaces can feel outdated and intrusive. A wood-burning fireplace can be an inefficient source of heat and makes for a drafty room, letting warm air escape. The fireplace surrounds also requires cleaning, which is dirty task. Wood fireplaces can often disrupt the flow of the living area, taking up too much space, make it hard to arrange furniture in the room, and limit available seating.
A fireplace can be dangerous too. The Chimney Safety Institute of America reports there are over 22,000 structural fires each year that start in a home’s fireplace, chimney, or chimney connector. Gas fireplaces, for example, are prone to fume misuse which can cause poisoning or potential explosion!
Eliminating a fireplace from a new home’s plan also keeps the price down. Thus, more and more new homeowners are opting out of having a fireplace feature in their homes.
These factors contribute to a drop in the percent of new construction homes with fireplaces with a record low of 41% of single-family homes including a fireplace, down from almost 60% a decade ago.
Among those who do have an existing fireplace, many are choosing to remove it all together from their living spaces. They may not like the look of the fireplace. They may realize they never use it and would rather use the space for furniture.
In many areas, bans on wood-burning limits the number of winter days a fireplace can be used.
Fireplaces require regular maintenance as well. With the average cost of a chimney sweep running between $200 and $300, it’s not worth it for homeowners who rarely use their fireplace. For some, a fireplace is just right, but for others it is just an eyesore. Removing the fireplace can be the perfect update for some homeowners.
In general, there are two types of fireplaces—masonry fireplaces and prefab fireplaces. The difference lies in the firebox, the area where the fire is built and burns. In a masonry fireplace, the interior is composed of fire brick, blocks of ceramic material that can withstand high temperatures.
A prefab fireplace has a firebox made of cast metal refractory panels. Other components of a fireplace include the surround, hearth, fireplace mantel, fireplace surround, screen, and door. The dismantling of these components is typically a multi-day project. Even a partial removal can be quite tricky under certain circumstances.
It can be costly and a complex procedure to remove a fireplace. While this job is typically left to the professionals, a homeowner can remove a fireplace themselves. However, realize that it can take several days to complete the task. It also can be dirty work.
Take care to prepare the area well before starting in on the work. That way you won’t be overwhelmed with the process of demolition and removing the heavy materials from your home.
First, determine if the wall with the fireplace is a load-bearing wall. Typically, a fireplace and chimney are only structural by supporting themselves. If it is load-bearing, you’ll want to consult with a professional contractor or structural engineer before starting on your fireplace demo.
“Often, the masonry base and chimney are a huge part of the structural integrity of the home. In such a case, the removal would not only be expensive, but could compromise the home’s stability,” explains Katina Asbell, broker at Real Living Capital City Reality.
Next, contact your city’s building department to determine if a permit is needed to remove a fireplace. This may only be necessary if the wall that contains the fireplace is a load-bearing structural wall. An external wall removal is generally fine. A quick call will let you find out if there are any permitting issues. If a permit is needed, you’ll want to get that in place before you start work on your fireplace removal.
Then, prepare the room by taking out any furniture. If the furniture cannot be removed, cover it well with plastic sheeting secured with tape. Seal off any door and window openings with plastic sheeting. Cover the floor near the fireplace.
Finally, make plans to handle the debris that comes from a fireplace demo. Lay down a sheet of plywood next to the fireplace and cover it with a tarp. The plywood will protect your floor from dropped bricks which can leave dents or scratches. You can deposit the removed bricks and other debris there before removing them from your home.
A rental dumpster makes it easy to dispose of all the debris from your fireplace demolition. When you call to order a dumpster, be sure to let them know that you’re dismantling a fireplace. Heavy materials such as bricks may require special handling and a smaller size dumpster to accommodate the weight of the debris.
• Eye protection
• Dust mask
• Hearing protection
• Gloves
• Screwdriver
• Pry bar
• Chisel
• Hammer
• Air hammer
• Tarp
• 5-gallon buckets
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Cap the chimney before starting your fireplace demolition. Consider hiring a professional mason to do this if you don’t want to climb your roof.
Remove the mantel or fireplace surround from the front of your fireplace. A mantel is usually held in place with screws or lag bolts located on the underside of the mantel. Your fireplace may have a complete surround that includes the mantel. Locate the screws or nails holding it in place and remove those. Gentle pry it away from the wall using a pry bar.
Remove the bricks from the front of the fireplace, starting at the top of the fireplace facade. This can be accomplished with a chisel and a hammer. Insert the chisel into the space between the bricks and tap the end of the chisel with the hammer. As the mortar breaks up, remove the loosened bricks. If the bricks are stuck firmly onto the wall, you can use an air hammer to more easily break them loose.
Toss the removed bricks onto the tarp-covered plywood near the fireplace. The easiest way to remove the bricks and debris from your home is to put them into a 5-gallon utility bucket. Carry this out and dump the debris into your rental dumpster.
If the hearth is inset in the floor, remove that using a prybar. You may need to chip out any concrete subfloor to allow for the height of a new sub-floor and flooring material. A heavy chisel and hammer or an air hammer can get the job done easily.
Frame the opening of the fireplace firebox using 2 by 4 framing lumber.
Install drywall to the framing. You will then finish the drywall in the standard manner, taping, mudding, and texturing the drywall to match the existing wall. If the removal of the mantle or surround has left any drywall damage, repair it at this time. Finish with a new coat of primer and paint.
Finish the floor patch using matching materials to the existing floor. You may decide that it’s easiest to redo the entire floor, replacing carpeting, hardwood, or tile. This way you don’t have to go through the trouble of trying to match the new section of flooring to the existing flooring.
A full demolition of a fireplace and chimney can run anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000. This cost can be reduced if you leave the chimney in place, just sealing it up instead. A general rule of thumb is about $50 per linear foot of demolition. After demolition, you’ll need some additional framing work to close up the opening, with drywall work, floor repair, and painting needed to complete the job.
A very large fireplace and chimney unit in a structural focal point can run costs up to $10,000 for a total removal and renovation. Since much of this cost is the actual labor itself, you can save a considerable amount by doing the work yourself.
To save on the cost of fireplace removal, the chimney can be left in place and simply blocked off, only removing the indoor fireplace unit. You can purchase a chimney balloon, an inflatable that will seal off the flue. Instead of a balloon, you can use a flue plug, a silicone rubber seal that fits inside the opening to the flue. To keep water out of the chimney, the top of a chimney should be covered with sheet metal attached to the top with caulk.
In most cases, it is fine to simply leave your chimney in place. However, if the look of chimney breasts are also undesirable to you, it can be removed. Because this can impact the structural integrity of your home, you should have a professional evaluate your chimney’s construction. With a chimney removal, demolition work will remove the bricks, but the space also needs to be reconstructed. This can involve siding and roofing repair, which will add cost and time to the job.
Consider the reasons why you want to remove your old fireplace. If you are simply tired of dealing with a traditional wood-burning fireplace, there are some options to convert it to something more efficient and easier to use.
Rather than dismantling the whole fireplace, you can install an insert into it instead. An electric or gas insert allows you to start a fire with the flick of a switch, and you’ll never need to clean out ash and debris.
The cost of fireplace inserts are less than the cost of having your fireplace professionally dismantled. Plus, it only takes a few hours instead of the days that a fireplace demolition will take. Some homeowners opt to have an insert installed along with an update of the mantle and even a refinishing of the fireplace surface with tile or stone. Installing an insert and refacing the fireplace can make it a pleasure rather than an eyesore.
One final reason to consider whether removing your fireplace is a good idea or not—it can decrease the value of your home. This is particularly true in areas of the country that have colder winters. Barbara Balossi, a real estate agent, explains, “In the Midwest, many buyers consider a functional fireplace a must-have amenity, and will only look at homes with fireplaces.”
A home listing without a fireplace may have fewer interested buyers, making it harder to sell. Whether you decide to remove your fireplace completely or simply refinish it, you’re sure to more enjoyment out of this area of your home.
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