Looking for Stove/ Insert Advice

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rshanno1

rshanno1

Member
Aug 20, 2011
20
Central Ia
FP 03.jpg We are downsizing and recently purchased a home that was built in 1938. The main floor fireplace is original to the home and the home inspector said that the surround is soapstone. We are moving from a home that we've been heating with a Lopi Freedom insert and hope to maximize the BTU's from the seasoned wood we'll be moving. I'd welcome any suggestions or input you might have about any stove or insert modifications . Thanks....Rik
 
We will need more info to help. Fireplace dimensions including depth are necessary. Also we need to know if the intent is to heat the house or just the area near the fireplace. If the house, how large is it and how open is the fireplace room to the rest of the house?
 
Do you prefer an insert, or a hearth mounted stove? If you have room, you could keep that beautiful fireplace like it is and put a freestanding stove somewhere else. It really nice to have an open fireplace too if it works out.

That fireplace face looks like Limestone to me. Soapstone has a lot more dark veins in it. But it isn't a close up after all.

This is my fireplace, it's lined with soapstone and the face is limestone.
 

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Thanks for the responses. We are finally settled in the home and looking at options so I welcome feedback. The firebox measures 35" wide at the front and 25.5 at the back. Depth is 21.5" at the bottom and 16.5 at the top and it is 29" tall. Considering a FPX flush insert but Im open to suggestions. Thanks!
 
That fireplace should fit several different models. Are you only looking at flush inserts?

Is the intent is to heat the house or just the area near the fireplace? If want to try to heat the house, how large is it and how open is the fireplace room to the rest of the house?
 
Sharp looking FP !!

A floor plan, even a rough drawn layout, is going to help for sure.

Not knowing the above information, a stove would look sharp in front of that FP, if it's feasible. (IMHO ;))

Atleast we don't have to discuss your current fire wood supply !
 
I'd love to be able to heat the whole house but not sure how realistic that is. House is 2100 sf, two floors but no open staircase like in our old place. On the plus side, the door to the second floor is just outside the LR. My wife likes a flush mount but I'd like a stove if it's doable with a 17" hearth.
 
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Thanks for the input. We decided on the FPX Hybrid and are scheduled for an install in December. We are interested in adding some type of a mantel and wondered if if anyone here had ideas about this? We've always had mantels and miss having one but I also don't want to screw up what we have if we can't make it work . Thanks!! Rik
 
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