Chimney Breast Removal & Structural Steel Installation in North London

Removing a chimney breast isn't always as straightforward as taking out the unwanted brickwork and supporting what's left above. Existing alterations to a property can significantly influence how the remaining structure needs to be supported.

That was exactly the situation our team encountered on this chimney removal project for homeowners in North London.

Our clients wanted to remove the awkward, unused chimney breasts from two of their bedrooms, freeing up valuable floor space and giving them much more flexibility when designing the rooms.

There was also a deadline to work towards: with a baby on the way, they understandably wanted the structural work — and particularly the dust — finished with plenty of time to get the house ready for their new arrival.

The Challenge: Previous Structural Alterations

Before removing a chimney breast, it's important to understand not only what it is supporting, but also how the rest of the property has previously been altered.

In this case, structural work had historically been completed on the ground floor. This meant a conventional support arrangement wasn't suitable for the chimney removal above.

A more substantial structural steel solution was required to safely transfer the loads and support the remaining structure.

A Bespoke Steel Frame in the Loft

The solution was the steel frame you can see in the photographs.

Rather than relying on a simple beam, the design incorporated multiple sections of structural steel to create a frame around the remaining masonry.

It's a great example of why structural alterations need to be assessed on a property-by-property basis. Two homes may appear to require exactly the same chimney breast removal, but previous building work, the existing structure and the loads being supported can result in very different solutions.

Once the structural requirements had been established, our installer Joe carried out the steel installation.

And we think the finished steelwork is a bit of a work of art!

Removing Two Unused Chimney Breasts

With the appropriate structural support in place, the unwanted chimney breasts could be removed from the two bedrooms below.

Removing redundant chimney breasts can make a surprisingly significant difference to a room. Chimney breasts often occupy valuable floor and wall space, particularly in bedrooms where furniture placement is already limited.

For our clients, removing both meant they could reclaim that space and create a more practical layout before decorating and preparing the rooms for their growing family.

Working Through 30°C Summer Heat

There was one additional challenge on this project: the weather.

The installation took place during temperatures of around 30°C.

Anyone who has worked inside a loft during hot weather will know that the temperature outside doesn't tell the whole story. With the sun beating down on the roof throughout the day, temperatures inside a loft can easily climb beyond 40°C.

Installing and manoeuvring structural steel in a confined loft is demanding work at the best of times, so the conditions made this particular installation considerably tougher for the team.

Despite the heat, the project was completed successfully and the clients could move on to the next stage of getting their home ready for their new arrival.

Why Can Chimney Breast Removal Require Steel Beams?

A chimney breast may form part of a much larger chimney structure extending through several floors and into the roof.

Removing the breast from one or more rooms doesn't necessarily mean everything above it is being removed too. Any masonry that remains needs to be properly supported.

The correct solution depends on factors including the construction of the property, how much of the chimney is being removed, what remains above it and any previous structural alterations.

That's why it's important to have the property properly assessed rather than assuming that the structural solution used in another home will also work in yours.

Planning a Chimney Breast Removal in North London?

If an unused chimney breast is taking up valuable space in your home, Wall Away can assess the existing structure and determine what's required to remove it safely.

We carry out chimney breast removals, structural surveys, RSJ installations and structural alterations across North London, Hertfordshire and surrounding areas.

Whether you're removing a single chimney breast or dealing with a more complicated property that has undergone previous structural alterations, we'll help determine the right solution for your home.

Contact Wall Away to arrange a survey and discuss your chimney removal project.