Building The Chimney

Complicated levels and arangenments of bricks needs a cigaret and a think about. Click on picture to view a larger image.

Starting from the foundation. The layout here will determine the shape of things all the way up to the top. Because of the larger dimensions of the fireplace's foundation it was not financially practical to concrete all the way up to the ground level. The excavation was therefore made after the footings for the walls were completed and concrete only laid to depth of 225 mm. The main foundation can be seen with the first course of bricks at the far end of this base.

The fire place with the starter block in place. Click on picture to view a larger image.

The bricks were brought up to ground level before the base was laid. This shows the bricks starting to form the shape of the fireplace above the floor level. The cast form, that narrows the fire opening to the chimney flue, is known as the starter block seen here after having just been lifted into place.

The top of the chimney with the builder, Jim, looking over the top. Click on picture to view a larger image.

The top of the chimney. The brickwork inside is arranged to form a pleasing fireplace surround and those built above the starter block are continued through the roof to the outside.