What is a fireplace jamb?
The interior sides of the firebox, frequently splayed to reflect heat back into the room. Illustrated Dictionary of Architecture Copyright © 2012, 2002, 1998 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
If the fireplace opening has been bricked up, get to work with a hammer and knock through until you reach the jambs and lintel – any cracks or damage to these parts will need to be fixed. If you had a gas fire previously, you might find the gas liner coming through the chimney.
If you want to enlarge your fireplace beyond the original opening, it's best to consult a specialist builder as it can be a big, complex job. Once you've reached the jambs and lintel, you're nearly done!
Definition of jamb
1 : an upright piece or surface forming the side of an opening (as for a door, window, or fireplace)
A jamb (from French jambe, "leg"), in architecture, is the side-post or lining of a doorway or other aperture.
Yes, chimneys need to breathe, even if they won't be used anymore. The vast majority of problems with chimneys are related to moisture, and that's the issue as regards ventilation. If there is no air flow in the chimney, moisture gets trapped and deterioration of the chimney structure will be accelerated.
| National Average Cost | $550 |
|---|---|
| Minimum Cost | $150 |
| Maximum Cost | $4,000 |
| Average Range | $200 to $1,200 |
- Research your house or get a survey done to figure out possible locations for fireplaces.
- Check how many flues are in your chimney and where they lead to.
- Knock on walls to see if you can hear a difference in sound between solid walls and a covered section.
Locate the lintel of the fireplace -- a bar made of stone that supports the foundation. Proceed to knock down bricks with a hammer to make the opening of the fireplace bigger, leaving the lintel intact. Do not remove more than a few bricks on each side.
Add planked wood above the fireplace.
A nice way to make your fireplace look bigger and your ceiling higher is to install planked wood above it. It's a dramatic look and you can paint the planks in any color to compliment your room.
Do I need a lintel in my fireplace?
Why you need a lintel. You should always have a lintel above your fireplace to support the weight of the chimney. In most properties the lintel will be made of a non-combustible material such as concrete, slate or granite, but in some cases it will be wooden.
Today's homeowners have many options from which to choose: Smooth concrete, new tile, granite, rustic brick, even wood can breathe new life into an outdated fireplace surround. Whether your hearth is operable or just for looks, there is a fireplace refacing material available and ideal for installation.
Using a trowel, apply fire cement to the damaged area. If the brick has broken in more than one spot, put a layer of cement along the edge of each break and firmly push the pieces back together. Clean off any excess cement. If you are repairing a crack, push the cement into the crack and remove the excess.
...
- Paint the Brick. ...
- Refinish the Back Panel. ...
- Update the Mantle. ...
- Accessorize. ...
- Make it Blend In. ...
- Refinish Surrounding Area. ...
- Turn it Into an Entertainment Center.
Painting or Sealing
If you want a renovated look after giving the fireplace bricks a good scrub, consider adding a coat of sealer designed for bricks. This gives the bricks a sparkling shine and will make the next round of cleaning even easier.
