Hi – my first post .. so hello everyone .. what a great resource this is

I’m in the process of thinking through how best to do a comprehensive insulation of my 1900s terrace – I’m starting out the process here - so forgive any glaring errors!

One area I’m trying to get some information on is chimney breasts. I can’t see myself ever burning fires – so they just sit there, big, cold and draughty.

I’ve seen people advocate filling the chimney with vermiculite/polybeads … but if it’s never going to be used I’d rather make that space available by taking them out – but I’m wondering whether, in terms of insulation, that this then leaves the party wall still cold (and damp?) from where the existing chimney breast on the other side stands. Obviously the wall would get something like a sand and cement covering – but is it advisable in some way to do more than this to insulate over the party wall where the other chimney breast stands ?

I wouldn't worry too much about fashion, if you're planning to stay in the house. We've removed one and a half chimney breasts in our 1900s end terrace house.

The one on the party wall had already been removed on the ground floor, and we removed the upper part on the first floor putting in a steel support for the remaining chimney stack in the loft space. We did that when we first moved in order to create more space in an upstairs bedroom out of which to carve a bathroom. When we had thermal imaging done before our more recent building work, there was no difference on that wall between where the chimney had been and the rest of the wall. No insulation put in. You could just do the work and then use your senses/a thermal imaging camera in winter to see if the party wall is noticeably colder where the chimney breast once was on the party wall. Add some insulation if it is.

Yes - I think Tony's right that the gains to floor area outweigh the fact that some people love the look of a chimney. Great that the thermal imaging camera said the wall was no colder JT - that fills me with hope!

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=2915222

Quote:

Always go for breast enhancement rather than removal.