Pictures rip out prefab make an alcove or find an insert help!!! Please

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Sails

New Member
Nov 2, 2013
13
Georgia
I want to know if it is possible to rip out my pre fab fireplace, re line the chimney, create a tile niche in the area where the pre fab was with wonder board and tile then place the wood stove in the niche/ hearth ( raised hearth) area and pipe it up the existing chimney chase that I am planning on relining. I can provide pictures if it would help.

We are debating between this or just starting from scratch with the wood stove, and leaving the fire place as is.

Thanks so much, I really appreciate anyone taking time to reply.
 
With the right stove this can be done. You will need to replace the chimney rather than reline it. You will need class A chimney for the stove. Once the fireplace is removed there won't be anything to hold up the pipe anyway. It's gotta go!

If you have room, I would suggest leaving the fireplace alone and put in a stove. I love having both, it's nice to have an open fire in the fall!
 
That sounds like an alcove install which can have special requirements regarding clearances. Especially ceiling height may be a problem. Maybe check first which stoves you would like to put in there and what their specs are to avoid a bad surprise once you are finished with your project. Make also sure you insulate the walls well or the stove will heat a lot of your yard. You may also need a blower to get the hot air out of that confined space.

Have you thought about putting an insert in your prefab fireplace? Some inserts are approved for that. If you post the model and maybe some pictures people here may be able to tell you whether that is possible. Would certainly be much cheaper and less work than your plan.
 
We have thought about an insert but thought with the age of the house and the prefab ( 20 years) it wouldn't be wise. But I will start another thread with pics to see if it is a viable option. Thanks!
 
Ok so here are some pictures
Do we wreck it out and make an alcove with a new chimney or is there an insert that will fit this?

I'm putting a picture on each post so I can make them big lol

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What's the measurements of the opening?
 
Welcome to the forums, Sails !!

Need more input AKA Johnny Five :)

Whats the chimney set up? Is it a pre fab FP, or masonary?

Pics of the chimney looking up/down would help.

How's you're wood supply?
 
Opening is angled but the mouth of the opening is 35.5 wide and 19.5 deep 18.5 tall

I will get pics of chimney in the morning.
 
Wood supply is great, been taking down trees to fence in the yard I've got a bunch seasoned and another stack that will be ready next fall.
 
We have thought about an insert but thought with the age of the house and the prefab ( 20 years) it wouldn't be wise. But I will start another thread with pics to see if it is a viable option. Thanks!
No need to start another thread. What's the house lay out like? Pics of your current set-up?
 
More pictures of inside and outside and top, and one fun one without flash lol








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Wanted to bump this, hoping for some advice!! My house is about 1200 sq feet top level ranch style with kitchen great room on one end and bedrooms down hall over garage. 3 br 2 bath.with full basement.
 
Did those bricks come out from the back of the fireplace? The outside looks nice but the firebox seems to be in a rough shape. You may need to get a pro to see if it is even still suitable to have an insert put in. http://www.csia.org/search

Maybe your idea with ripping it out completely is not that bad. Another option would be to put an efficient zero clearance fireplace in there like the Napoleon NZ3000, KozyHeat 42 or Osburn Stratford. You could keep the nice look of a fireplace but still heat your house with that unit. May be less work than getting rid off it completely.
 
Yah the bricks cracked and fell, hence the need to decide what we are going to do. If we decide to do the alcove does the chimmineychase need to be opened to the ceiling?
 
That depends on the stove's alcove clearance specifications. For many stoves the alcove ceiling height must be 84" or higher, but a few are lower than that.
 
Look at those zero clearance fireplace units I mentioned. They are designed for that purpose. Keep also in mind that a working fireplace will be more appealing than a woodstove when you want to sell the house again at some point.
 
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