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We install for the whole South East of England including London.
False Chimney Breasts
A false chimney breast is an outset fireplace chamber that creates a stunning feature to any room that contains an inset fire or free standing stove complimented with or without a television above along with potential shelving or storage compartments.
What we do
At Bonfire, we can transform your room by installing a bespoke false chimney breast. A faux chimney breast can contain an inset electric fire, gas fire, wood burning fire or free standing stove appliance depending on your preference.
This can also be complemented with a beam or shelf, chamber linings for a freestanding stove appliance or even a bespoke stone hearth to sit around the fire. We have so many configurations to choose from and we can assist you every step of the way…
Our Installation process
We’ll take you through step by step of how we install a simple false chimney breast for an electric fire. See below a recent supply and installation of the New Forest 1200 electric fire from British Fires by our team of certified installers.
As well as incasing a fire, a false chimney breast can be transformed into a media wall that can contain a flat screen television, sound bar and side units (with or without downlighting). The possible configurations are endless…
False chimney breasts and media walls have become very popular in the last 5 years especially with online influencers. Visit our Bonfire Instagram profile or share your project with us by clicking the link below.
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Get influencer inspiration for your false chimney breast project.
It can be the main focal point to any room and really add to the overall aesthetic. A bespoke false chimney breast can utilise space very well and complete your home interior after all the fire is the heart of the home.
Furthermore, they can be transformed into an entertainment media wall to hold a television or sound bar, hide unwanted cables from your entertainment equipment and be combined with downlighting, cupboards and shelving to create the ultimate front room or even man cave!
Common practices with false chimney breast stud work:
- Electric Fires – Timber stud work is normally used as an electric fire has a maximum output of 2kW heat output and so does not get hot enough to be a hazard. (although timber is not recommended as it moves overtime potentially causing cracking and other problems.
- Solid fuel or gas appliances – Metal stud work along with non-combustible plasterboard as it will exceed over 2kW of heat output. No combustible materials should be used!
We build all of our false chimney breasts from metal stud work as it’s stronger and doesn’t move for potential cracking. It also allows the false chimney breast to be used with a solid fuel or gas appliance further down the line (if heat resistant plasterboard has been used).
There are many different finishes, configurations and sizes that we offer with the addition of an optional designer to completely transform your wall into your dream fireplace.
False Chimney Breasts For Solid Fuel & Gas Appliances
False chimney breasts for solid fuel and gas appliances which could be inset or free standing appliances need to be constructed from non-combustible materials. We can transform your wall creating a false chimney breast from nothing or knockout a hole to what is existing.
Get the whole package with us for the best price guaranteed. Choose your desired appliance along with a false chimney breast package. The only thing left for you to do is finish your false chimney breast with your desired decorating style such as painting, wallpaper or plaster.
How your installation will be completed
We provide free surveys* which may be required before your installation to allow us to better understand your project, help you with ideas & inspiration and possible functional possibilities.
On the day of your installation, our team of specialised installers will arrive with your appliance and building materials ready to complete the job the same day. Dust sheets will be laid and any other furniture will be covered to protect the area.
Depending on the appliance it shall be mounted or placed into position after the false chimney breast has been built. Making sure the appliances fits the opening. Finished with heat resistant plasterboard and smoothed off to guarantee the project is finished to a high quality standard.
Complying to all building regulations, manufacturers regulations and distance to combustibles as well as ensuring it is secure.
Please note: Plaster or wallpaper should not be used on metal stud chimney breasts due the potential cracking from the heat given off by a 2kW+ appliance.
They require materials that are non-combustible as the appliances can get very hot (over 2kW heat output) and could cause a fire if the false chimney breast is not installed correctly.
Media Walls For Electric Fires
A media wall or bespoke false chimney breast is a great way to incase an electric fire and an increasing trend showcased by many online influencers.
A television, sound bar, shelving and cupboards are normally added to create the dream media wall. Downlighting and LED lights can be added to create an ambience.
A simple timber stud work is built to create the framework for the chimney breast with standard plasterboard screwed over the top.
We would advise the use of metal trunking as opposed to timber stud work as it does not bend cracking the walls and can be used for solid fuel or gas later down the line. The fire is then laid on top of blocks to create the optimal viewing height and get the appliance in the correct position.
Please see manufacturers installation instructions to fix your appliance in place. The breast can be finished with plaster and then with paint, wallpaper or stone to achieve that optimal finish.
Due to the heat, you may experience cracking around your false chimney breast, this is nothing to worry about. Also for some inset electric fires you will need to leave cut-outs for the fan heater. Make sure these are not in direct positioning of a television or something combustible.
Timber stud work should be installed once the appliance is in position which is recommended by manufacturers instructions as dimensions of the whole appliance may differ. It also allows you to get a good feel for how the fire will sit before it is installed.
Electric Fires
Electric fires for false chimney breasts differ enormously in price and realistic flame effect depending on the brand. All electric fires do make a slight fan noise but this is not noticable.
These fires are used merely as a background heater and for the aesthetics, not so much for heating the house like a wood burning stove or gas fire. They are available with many different controls and customisable options for your desired effect.
Trending electric fires
Electric fires only produce a maximum heat output of 2kW and so non-combustible materials are not necessary.
Leading brands of electric fires include Gazco, British Fires and Evonic Fires. We feel that these three companies manufacturer the best electric fires on the market. They are built to a high quality standard, have many customisable controls and an amazing flame effect.
A standard 230V UK electric socket should be contained within the false chimney breast to power an electric fire. The majority of electric fires are ‘Plug & Play‘.
If an electric socket is not present, use a certified electrician to move an electrical socket in reach of the fire. It is recommended to leave access to this socket for future access.
Fire Suites
Fire suites are a great way to get the complete package with minimal construction work. These suites contain the electric fire allowing it to be wall hung without the need for a false chimney breast to be built.
Not only do these suites look amazing, they come finished in different realistic marble patterns, are good for space saving and are also cost effective.
British Fires offer a range of lightweight suites for easy installation. We can make bespoke fire suites in many different sizes for your electric fire. Enquire Now.
Chimney Breast Finishes
There are many different ways of finishing a chimney breast. This could be anything from paint, wallpaper, plaster but what is the correct and on trend one to use?
Any finish can be used on an electric fire false chimney breast. However, with a solid fuel or gas fire chimney breast a water based paint is normally used. Wallpaper will simply flake off and plaster will crack.
One finish that is very on trend currently (2021) is Venetian plaster. Used to create texture and depth to a wall.
Traditional Venetian Plaster, otherwise known as marble plaster, Italian plaster or polished plaster is made of lime putty and marble dust.
FAQ
What is a false chimney breast installation cost?
Costings of a bespoke chimney breast differ for every job. Please enquire for a full quotation with or without an appliance.
Can I put a tv above a fireplace?
The short answer is… yes you can. However, be cautious. LCD’s and Plasmas don’t like heat. No television should be in direct heat and a recessed false chimney breast tv section or wooden beam will deflect the heat away.
How long will it take to install a false chimney breast?
It will normally take 2-3 days to build a false chimney breast. A day to construct the framework and get the fire in place. A further day to plasterboard it and a few extra hourse to get it plastered.
What areas do you install false chimney breasts?
We cover the whole South East of England for the installation of false chimney breasts with or without an appliance. Or get the whole package deal, enquire now!
How long have Bonfire been installing?
We have been installing false chimney breasts for over 16+ years now and have over 56+ years industry experience. We also have lots of connections when it comes to completing other parts of the project.