I would guess just a drywall/wood frame around steel pipe chimney.slowtyper wrote: ↑ This is a wood fireplace. My wife would like to replace the tiles around the fireplace and add a mantle. I'm curious what could be behind the drywall above it. If it could be brick I would like to expose it. Could it simply be a flue/vent and that's it?
Just wanted some opinions before I cut a hole to take a peek inside.
Thats what I was thinking. It "sounds" very hollow all over. If so, I'd like to come up with a design that just exposes that chimney and take the frame down to open up the place a little bit.engineered wrote: ↑ I would guess just a drywall/wood frame around steel pipe chimney.
Its build in late 70s. I looked on old MLS photos and as far back as I can go, its always been covered in drywall.PointsHubby wrote: ↑ How old is the house ?
If it’s built after 1990 it’s pretty unlikely you are gonna find any brick or stone. That’s about the time builders began to cheap out and just do plywood & drywall for fireplaces.
If it’s built before that, then there’s a possibility that a previous homeowner covered any brick / stone for a more clean lined modern look ... as was all the rage in newer construction. Or someone thought the existing fireplace design / finishes were dated / ugly.
But my guess ... based on the basic square shape ... is it’s just as is ... a boring box etc
Do you happen to know if there is a minimum distance that the drywall has to be from the pipe? I'm wondering if the box around the pipe can be built smaller so it doesn't block so much light from the windows.engineered wrote: ↑ I would guess just a drywall/wood frame around steel pipe chimney.
Not sure on distances, I think you can get within a few inches if using heat resistance material. You might be able to wrap it with a nicer looking cover, but I like torontotim's idea.slowtyper wrote: ↑ Do you happen to know if there is a minimum distance that the drywall has to be from the pipe? I'm wondering if the box around the pipe can be built smaller so it doesn't block so much light from the windows.
Or if there is a way to replace the existing pipe with a more attractive pipe that can be exposed?
