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You don’t always need to replace the whole fireplace to give it a new look. We regularly speak to customers who like part of their existing fireplace but want to change something else. In many cases that is perfectly possible. The mantel or surround is probably the part we see changed most often. It takes up a large proportion of the fireplace, so replacing it can alter the overall look of the room without removing everything that is already there.
For clarity, when we talk about the surround or mantel in this guide, we mean the outer fireplace around the opening. A cast iron fireplace is the decorative cast iron section that sits within that opening.
Yes, and this is usually one of the easiest places to start if you want to update an existing fireplace. You might have a cast iron fireplace that you still like but want to replace the surround around it. You could change from wood to marble or limestone, choose a different wooden surround or simply go for a different shape and style. We have plenty of customers who change the surround and fire together. It is a relatively simple way of giving an existing fireplace an upgrade without starting again from scratch.
You can browse our range of fireplace surrounds, including wooden, marble, limestone and cast iron options supplied separately.
The main thing to check is the opening size.
If you are keeping an existing cast iron fireplace or back panel, the opening in the new surround needs to work with it. Check the inner width and height of the surround against the cast iron fireplace before you order. The two components need to sit together correctly, so choosing a surround that looks right is only part of the job.
Yes. In many cases, the fire itself is one of the simpler parts to change. Changing an inset gas fire is often fairly straightforward because many fires are made around common sizes. Electric inset fires are also available in standard sizes. Even if the replacement fire is described as a standard size, check the opening width, height and depth before ordering.
With a gas fire, size is not the only consideration. The replacement also needs to be suitable for the existing chimney or flue, ventilation and installation, so this should be checked by a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. Removing, disconnecting or capping a gas fire is not a DIY job and should also be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Yes, although this normally involves more work than changing the fire or surround. The surround usually sits in front of the cast iron fireplace, so the surround needs to be removed before the cast iron section can come out. Once the replacement is in position, the surround can then be refitted if you are keeping it.
The opposite is also possible. If you like the cast iron fireplace you already have, you can often keep it and fit a new surround around it, provided the opening sizes work together.
Yes. We supply plenty of hearths separately, particularly polished black granite hearths. Replacing an existing hearth is usually more involved than changing the surround because the surround and cast iron fireplace normally sit on or against the hearth. This often means dismantling part or all of the fireplace before the old hearth can be removed. The replacement hearth is then installed before the fireplace is put back together. So although a hearth can certainly be replaced on its own, it can still mean a fairly substantial removal and refit.
If the existing hearth is in good condition, the correct size and suitable for the type of fire being used, keeping it can avoid unnecessary work.
This is where you need to be particularly careful about reusing existing parts. A standard single-piece granite or slate hearth that has previously been used with a gas or electric fire should not automatically be assumed suitable for solid fuel. Concentrated heat can cause an unsuitable hearth to crack. The chimney or flue also needs to be suitable for the new appliance, so changing to solid fuel is more than simply changing the fire itself. A fixed solid-fuel installation is notifiable under Building Regulations. A HETAS-registered installer can carry out and self-certify suitable work, or the installation can be notified through Building Control by another compliant route. A carbon monoxide alarm is also required when a new or replacement fixed solid-fuel appliance is installed.
We explain the different hearth constructions in more detail in our guide to Which Granite Hearth Do I Need?.
If you are changing the fuel type rather than simply changing the appearance of the fireplace, speak to your installer before ordering replacement components.
Not necessarily. One of the most common upgrades we see is replacing the surround and fire while keeping other parts of the fireplace that are still perfectly usable. It can be a relatively simple way of refreshing an older fireplace without the cost and disruption of replacing every component. The important thing is making sure anything you keep is suitable for the new components, fits correctly and is appropriate for the type of fire you intend to use.
If you’re unsure, send us a photograph of the existing fireplace together with some measurements. It is normally much easier to work out what can stay once we can see how the fireplace has originally been put together.
Sometimes the complete fireplace does need to come out. Quite often, it doesn’t.
If you’re thinking of replacing several parts of your fireplace, buying a complete package may work out cheaper. We’ve also written a guide explaining what’s included in a fireplace package and what you might need to arrange separately.
Phone
01773 718718
Email
sales@castfireplaces.co.uk
