You are here:

Chimney & Fireplaces/One sided fireplace into a two sided Fireplace

Advertisement

Expert: - 5/20/2006


Question
Hi Bart,

Is it possible to make a one sided wood burning fireplace into a two sided fireplace?

We are in the process of buying a house that has a brick fireplace in the kitchen.  From within our den we can see the back of the fireplace, so We were thinking instead of looking at a brick wall we could possibly create a double sided fireplace.


Your advice is most appreciated.  

Answer
Hi Don,

It is possible, but very expensive.

The problem you'll encounter is that the flue is currently sized for venting the single sided fireplace.

If you open that other side up, it won't have enough capacity to handle the flow created by the additional cross-sectional area.

To enable the newly-created two-sided fireplace to work properly, you'll have to mechanically exhaust the flue with a fan designed specifically for woodburning applications.  Those fans start at over $1k.

It's best to stay with what you've got, unless you're really set on the design change.

Don't forget to have a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep do a Level 2 Inspection on that flue and fireplace system before you buy the house.  

A CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep can be found at www.csia.org.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com!

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney
Wichita, KS
Voice: 316-265-9828
Fax: 316-265-9890
www.homesafeks.com

Chimney & Fireplaces

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Bart Ogden

Expertise

I can answer questions related to chimney and fireplace cleaning, construction and repair as well as questions related to the performance of chimneys and fireplaces. I can also answer questions related to clothes dryer vent cleaning and repair. Additionally, I can field questions related to masonry repair.

Experience


Experience in the area:
28 years experience in the chimney service/installation/repair field
President, Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc. Wichita, Kansas

Professional Organizations:
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG)
Member, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA)
Member, Kansas Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps (KGPCS)
Member, Midwest Chimney Safety Council (MCSC)
Member, Kansas Association of Real Estate Inspectors (KAREI)
Past At-Large Director of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past At-Large Director of the Chimney Safety Institute of America
Past Secretary, National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past Secretary, Chimney Safety Institute of America
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild Technical Advisory Council
Member, Chimney Safety Institute of America Certification Committee
Past Chairman, CSIA Chimney Safety Education Brochures Committee
Past Chairman, NCSG Nomination Committee

Publications:
SWEEPING Magazine, The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technoloty, A Publication of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
SNEWS, The Chimney Sweep News
THE KANSAS SWEEP, The Voice of the KS Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps

Education/Credentials:
BA, Wichita State University
C.S.I.A. Certified Chimney Sweep
C.S.I.A. Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician
N.F.I. Woodburning Specialist
N.F.I. Gas Specialist
Chimney Diagnosis & Documentation Seminar
Ahren's Masonry Restoration School Graduate
Advanced Gas Certification
Master Gas Certification
Licensed Mechanical Contractor
Pellet Appliance Specialist
Venting Design Specialist
Dale Carnegie Course Graduate

Awards and Honors:
Superior Dealer Award, Ventinox Chimney Lining Systems

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.