Can I put a wood surround around a stove?

It depends on the heat output and the distance to combustibles. Local building regulations dictate how far timber must sit from a working stove pipe. You might need to widen the opening. Fitting non-combustible stone or slate slips between the stove and the wooden jambs usually solves the clearance issue.

My builders are tearing out the chimney breast next week and I want to know how the heavy marble surround is actually fixed to the wall so they don't break it?

Most marble pieces are held together by plaster and iron wire cramps set into the masonry behind. The pieces are built up in layers rather than being one solid block. Tell your builders to look for small patches of plaster hiding the metal ties. They need to carefully rake out the joints and cut the wires before attempting to lift the heavy shelf away.

How do you clean old painted cast iron?

Stripping decades of gloss paint requires patience. Chemical strippers work best for getting into the fine cast details without scratching the base metal. Avoid using harsh wire brushes on a drill attachment. Mechanical stripping often removes the crisp edges of the casting and leaves deep gouges that show up when you repaint.

We bought a house from the twenties and the fireplace has these ugly green tiles all over it, can we just pop them out and put a normal timber frame over the hole instead?

Those tiled surrounds are often built as a single solid slab backed with concrete. You rarely pop them out individually without destroying the entire structure. Removing the concrete backer usually reveals a large builders' opening behind. You can install a timber frame, but you must rebuild the fire chamber and fit a suitable insert to match the new proportions. Keep in mind that altering the fireplace opening affects the draw of the chimney. Always have the flue smoke-tested after making major structural changes to the hearth.

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Victorian Surrounds

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An architectural frame designed to border a fireplace opening, antique surrounds mask the masonry while directing smoke up the flue. They range from simple timber structures in modest homes to carved marble focal points dominating grand reception rooms.