Any ideas on how to cover a fireplace when not in use?

you could close the flue damper to prevent the cold from coming in just remember to open it when you decide to light a fire , otherwise you will get smoke in the house , I suppose that you are aware of that already but it helps if you close it when not in use , then you could get a screen like this one or similar

http://www.customshowroom.com/images/egan-fireplac...

you could even have one made out of plywood and cover it with some batting and a nice fabric like a Toile

http://www.javisdavis.com/collections/fabrics/lgsw...

if you like ,

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Fireplace Cover Ideas

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RE:

Any ideas on how to cover a fireplace when not in use?

We have a gas fireplace that does have a glass front/door on it,but it still has openings. We don't really use it, and especially in the winter time alot of cold air comes through. Any ideas on a creative way to cover it? I'm sure I could just use the same plastic as people do on their windows,...

It sounds like people have given you some pretty good suggestions. If it was me, I would cut a piece of plywood slightly larger than the opening and then cover it with either fabric and batting or do some kind of decorative artwork on the wood. In addition to that, on the side that will be against the fireplace opening, I would put a rim of foam sealer. This comes in rolls from the hardware store in various widths and depths. It is self stick and will attach to the board, creating a seal against drafts.

Also, check your venting to the outside. You should make sure that the flap is closing properly when the fireplace is not in use. I do not recommend sealing the vent closed as you may forget about it and someone might start the fireplace without opening it.

Whatever you decide to do, be sure to turn the pilot off before you close it up. Check to see if you have other drafty spots in your house that are creating a cross draft and pulling air in through the fireplace.

A cover would look kind of out of place. I have seen people craft or sew some home made ones before, but they always look ...well...cheesy. Like a big piece of fabric trying to cover an eyesore.

If you just want to stop the cold draft try using one of the clear chimney balloons. I have one in my wood fireplace since the damper was bad and it stops the draft from coming down the chimney, and you dont see them at all. They are $45-$55 depending upon the size you need.

For many years, my parents s home had a two-sided fireplace (opened into den on one side, the living room on the other). When the fire had died down, but plenty of heat remained, they could not close the damper. So they used a sheet that was rolled up and put away during the day. It was unrolled and held on the metal frame by large yellow magnets. In the morning, of course, the fire was completely out and the heat gone. Damper was closed and the sheet rolled up again and put away. Seemed that the sheet was plastic-coated fabric -- fire resistant but not fire proof. Save my folks a lot of money by sealing off that wide-open fireplace each night.

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Thanks

G.

Is the fireplace really that ugly that you need to cover the opening?

If it is just a cold draft issue and the damper is shot then put in a chimney balloon and put some candles in the firebox.

We didn't even have doors on ours and never use it so I cut out a piece of mdf to size, painted it matte black to match the rest of the fireplace and slapped it up there. Our daughters toy organizer now occupies the space in front of the fireplace, so the appearance of the finished product was not that important. Were it more exposed I would probably try to dress it up with some decorative molding or something.

There are loads of fake fires now that are really modern and just literally screw to the wall. They come in different coloured glass and have a flickering flame effect and look real. If you have central heating on, nobody would realise that it's not a real fire! B&Q and Next Directory have some good ones.