Have you any cost estimates from local contractors? The whole is kind of outdated so maybe redesign the entire wall.

Agree! I want a new look. I got a few quotes and they are crazy expensive. I also want to find out if the fireplace is structural or not.

We replaced a fireplace with a window in our previous house. its hard to believe the fireplace is structural because you have windows above it. Perhaps you could do the demo yourselves and save money that way. Maybe ask for a breakdown of costs so you could see where you might be able to save.

This sort of fireplace look is silly anyway. Good of you to lose it. Fireplaces should at least pretend to go to the ceiling..surrounded by windows screams THIS IS NOT A REAL FIREPLACE.

Consider keeping the fireplace and boarding up the windows above it to give the fireplace a chimney wall.

This is a great idea but I think due to to scale of the room and the windows above it; this might make this room too dark.

Are you replacing the fireplace with a different fireplace? Or replacing the fireplace with a window?

The fireplace does not have a chimney, so it must be gas-operated?

Thank you all for the great ideas! Great to hear that it may not be structural. I’m going to get a quote with a cost breakdown.

And yes, i don’t want to cover up any windows. I want to replace the fireplace with a window/glass door to bring in more natural light.

It is a gas fireplace with the vent built behind it. I want a modern-looking wall mount fireplace in another corner of the room.

Good Luck. I think you will be very happy with that. As you are getting the proposals from your contractors; make sure they have a solution for the pad under the fireplace from the outside. It might be raised up to the level of the house and therefore might have to be replaced with something at the same level as the back patio.

Our second home had the footings for a gas fireplace but the first owner never put it in. Outside the wall where it would go there was a rectangle in the ground that looked much like the beginning of a basement egress window box. The builders never got around to putting on the cover so the hole would fill with water when it rained. When the bricks above ground are removed you will have to cover the footing or I suppose you could remove it. That wall will have a header inside it that won't be necessary but it can be walled in no problem. To put the fireplace insert in we had to knock out the basement brick wall--also not a structural issue due to the footing and header installed when the basement was built. Ours was all DIY and was $5K 30 years ago. I have a feeling the sticker shock will be great.

Based on the pictures I see. The work should not be too complicated. If you re ordering a door the same size as the window above the fireplace; the header should be there and the angle iron under the bricks above the window should be there as well. Your major costs are the door itself and then fixing the floor inside the house. good luck

Hi, an iron french door could be an option to replace the fireplace. Not sure where are you located, but you also can choose the thermal break iron french door, so it can reduce the heat transfer, but also can allow the nature light into the house.

Glory Iron Door/Thermal Break Iron French Door