AboutJames Ball Expertise I am a chimney sweep with over 22 years of experience, CSIA certified and member of the NCSG, I can answer questions about smoky fire places, wood stoves, and heating units (boiler and furnace chimneys) do you need a relining? A cap? And much more
Experience over 22 years
Organizations Chimney Safety Institute of America, National Chimney Sweep Guild
Education/Credentials CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) certified
Expert: James Ball Date: 7/2/2008 Subject: Fireplace convert to 2 sided
Question The house was built 1968 and fireplace appears to be that old. It is standing free of a wall in the middle of the room. It is 6 ft long by ~3.5 ft wide, made from cement and rock (like Arkansas rock). It seems far too costly to remove so is it possible to create a 2-sided fireplace?
Answer Hello Joyce, a two sided fireplace has a flue (the tube inside the chimney) that is sized for two openings (then most people install two glass doors), and it might not be structurally sound. If you really wanted to do it I would get an engineer and have a certified chimney sweep (www.csia.org) take a first hand look.
it might work if both of them sign off.
hope this helped
James Ball
