What is the plywood cover over my fireplace?

[Squidley]

Hi there! I recently bought a house built in 1980, and I’m finding that the previous owners made some strange fixes.

One odd feature in the house is this plywood cover on the top of our fireplace. It seems to have holes for ventilation. We knocked on the wood, and it is hollow except for a brick column in the middle for the chimney (I assume).

Any ideas on why this is here and whether or not I can remove it? I’d like to have brick laid all the way up or sheetrock over the top.

Thank you in advance!

-Haley

 

[bholler]

Hi there! I recently bought a house built in 1980, and I’m finding that the previous owners made some strange fixes.

One odd feature in the house is this plywood cover on the top of our fireplace. It seems to have holes for ventilation. We knocked on the wood, and it is hollow except for a brick column in the middle for the chimney (I assume).

Any ideas on why this is here and whether or not I can remove it? I’d like to have brick laid all the way up or sheetrock over the top.

Thank you in advance!

-Haley

Is it a brick or a metal firebox?

 

[Simonkenton]

That is a weird one. Those look like ventilation holes. But those little holes, even with a lot of them, not much air can flow through. If you tear out that plywood I would like to see what is behind it. Weird.

 

[MTY]

I'd just paint some Groucho Marx eyebrows above them and call it good.

 

[Squidley]

Is it a brick or a metal firebox?

It is metal

 

[jetsam]

Picture is cut off at the bottom.... if there are air intakes (other than combustion air intakes) at the bottom of the unit, it's probably one of those funky old heatilator-style things.

Post some better pictures, though the sweeps will probably be able to tell without them.

 

[Squidley]

 

[Squidley]

Picture is cut off at the bottom.... if there are air intakes (other than combustion air intakes) at the bottom of the unit, it's probably one of those funky old heatilator-style things.

Post some better pictures, though the sweeps will probably be able to tell without them.

Ahh okay, I just added more pictures below to show the firebox.

 

[bholler]

It is metal

In that case I assume those are vents for the heated air that passes between the inner and outer wall of that firebox. If that is the case what you have is a pretty severe fire risk and would be absolutely horrible for that TV as well.

 

[Squidley]

In that case I assume those are vents for the heated air that passes between the inner and outer wall of that firebox. If that is the case what you have is a pretty severe fire risk and would be absolutely horrible for that TV as well.

YIKES. That’s what I was afraid of. Guess we’re getting an expert out here...

 

[bholler]

YIKES. That’s what I was afraid of. Guess we’re getting an expert out here...

That is the best option.

 

[Hogwildz]

Looks like a Fuego Flame, and if it is, it's an ambiance fireplace and not a heater so to speak. They will get cherry red on the top if pushed hard.