How To Use Recycled Sleepers For A Fireplace?
We recently got asked how to use recycled sleepers to make a timber fire surround.
At Creative Fireplaces we specialise in Marble Fireplaces and Fire Surrounds made in stone or marble. Although we do not make recycled fire surrounds or timber products the below article will give you some helpful advice and tips if you are looking to do create something like this.
What you should know:
1. You must secure the fire surround to the wall. In order to secure your surround to the wall you must install brackets to the columns (pillars) of the fire surround. Ideally you should try and source “L” shaped brackets that can be screwed on the inside return of the fireplace and hence cannot be seen from the outside of your chimney breast. Locating the bracket on the inside saves you having to bury the bracket in the wall after you have installed it. In some scenarios this may-not be possible as the design restricts access to the brackets and hence it is not possible to screw the brackets on the inner side of the columns.
2. If your installing a timber fire surround & a gas/solid fuel fire, then you must ensure you have a non-combustible back panel & hearth. The back panel can be made out of marble if you are fitting a gas fire or alternatively can be manufactured from Granite or Slate if you’re installing a solid fuel fire. It is not possible to use timber for gas/solid fuel fires as timber is a combustible material (hence obvious fire risk scenario). At Creative Fireplaces, we make fireplace hearths and back panels to size and can manufacture to any sizes you specify. We also have a large range of standard sizes that will fit almost all scenarios.
3. You must also follow the regulations governing the specific trades that regulate installation. Specifically your gas appliance must be fitted by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Installer. Solid fuel appliances must be fitted by a qualified HETAS engineer or certified by your local buildings authority.