A hanging niche is the lower end of a chimney flue that is supported by corbelled brick cheeks. The niche effectively ‘hangs’ at the bottom of the flue and was used to connect a stove without needing a full chimney breast running down to the floor.
Construction and function
- Corbelled masonry — the side cheeks are stepped forward course by course, so the flue widens out at the bottom
- Smoke hole — the lower part often has a round hole through which the pipe of a column stove was inserted
- Space-saving — because the niche only begins at a certain height, the floor beneath it stays clear
Application
The hanging niche is found mainly in 19th- and early 20th-century buildings:
- Offices, kitchens and schools
- Waiting rooms of stations and barracks
- Rooms with a column stove — the stove stood free in the room and the pipe disappeared into the niche
Points to watch
When renovating old buildings, a hanging niche can often still be recognised by the corbelled masonry high up in a wall. If the flue is reused, its draught and fire safety must be reassessed.
Related terms
- Chimney
- Corbel
- Masonry
- Niche
- Brick course
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