Air Date: Thursday, January 3, 2008
Room For Improvement: Fireplace
Our design team is turning up the heat on this freezing cold day. Today we're heading to Canton to add a warming fireplace to a historic home. 7's Lauren Przybyl has this week's "Room For Improvement."
Shannon and her boyfriend Phil fell in love with a colonial home.
Shannon Webster, homeowner
"We looked at probably 100, 150 different houses. Our search was absolutely exhaustive. And we kept coming back to this house."
But they felt this room was too bare and thought a fireplace would be the perfect touch.
Shannon Webster, homeowner
"We just wanted to cozy the room up a bit and try and bring back maybe some historical character to the house."
So in comes Charlie Allen of Charlie Allen Restorations to help them warm up the space.
Charlie Allen, Charlie Allen Restorations
"Well we did have the chimney, but that's all we had. And they chose, I think very correctly, this very pretty English cast iron insert that will run off the size of flue they had available to them."
The first step is to make holes in the wall and floor.
Charlie Allen, Charlie Allen Restorations
"And do framing to support the floor and the wall."
Next it's time to mix some cement. Several full wheel barrels are brought in and the cement is poured into the hole in the floor to create the hearth extension.
Charlie Allen, Charlie Allen Restorations
"The code requires that that be solid masonry."
Each layer is smoothed to create an even surface so this beautiful black stone can be laid on top.
Now it's time to get inside the chimney. A rubber flue liner is inserted first.
Charlie Allen, Charlie Allen Restorations
"It's really not safe to use unlined."
Then concrete is poured into the chimney around the liner, which is later removed, to create a perfect flue for the fireplace.
Finally the cast iron stove is assembled and the classic wooden mantel is set.
Charlie Allen, Charlie Allen Restorations
"The mantel, the insert itself, it's an 1850s replica."
Now it's time to build a fabulous fire.
Shannon Webster, homeowner
"Charlie, it's exactly what we wanted. It's beautiful."
The price tag for a project like this can cost between $25,000 and $30,000. But this new addition will no doubt keep our homeowners warm all winter long.
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