Expert: James Ball - 1/20/2010

Question
We have a home with two fireplaces, offset side-to-side, facing 180 degrees from the other, built within the same masonry structure.  Each fireplace is stone to the ceiling, and has its own firebox and flue, brick-faced from the attic to the cap.  Is it possible to make them into a double-sided fireplace, and hopefully convert them to gas?  Will one fireplace have to be completely dismantled?  Will the chimney need to be altered?

Answer
Hello Paulette, I would start with your local building department, then an engineer and a good mason. you might have to rebuild the whole chimney (leaving the 2 flues might not work), your best bet might just be to leave the fireplace's as they are and install the gas logs.
either way I would have a local Certified Chimney Sweep www.csia.org, (there you can look up by zip code to find one near you) take a first hand look at what you have they should be able to help.
Hope this helps
James