What insert for a stone fireplace?

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SophieLake

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May 20, 2010
9
hudson valley ny
Can someone suggest an insert and a surround solution for my fireplace? It's a weekend house so I'd love to be able to come up on a Friday night and quickly get the heat up. And a big window would be nice.

Dimensions are 44"w, 19" d, 32"H

I've talked to some fireplace people and gotten some recommendations for some larger wood burning inserts, but they all want to put a big plate surround over the opening, losing the curve and a lot of the personality of the fireplace, in my opinion. Is it that hard to make a custom surround so the unit looks "inset" for lack of a better word?

Thanks
 

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Have you given any thought to a hearth stove installation rather than an insert? I'm talking about a freestanding wood stove installed part way in/part way out of your existing fireplace. No surround plate at all. These installations can be very attractive, and quite effective at heating your living space. Rick
 
That's good to know -- I guess I'm just not finding the right dealer? That Jotul is nice and big

I have thought of a stove rather than an insert. I'd certainly prefer it over an insert with a big square plate over the stones. I was keeping away from them because I didn't think they'd heat up the room/house very quickly. I dont' want it to warm up just when it's time to go home
 
You can install and operate an insert without the surround, so long as you like the way that looks. So, you've got at least three options to explore. Rick
 
We went the free-standing stove, half in/half out route. We could have done the insert with surround because the bricks were there where our old glass doors were. I like it better this way.
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That's what I'm talking about when I say a hearth stove installation. A free standing stove partly in the fireplace. (Thanks, Kevin...very nice) Rick
 
You could just put a Buck stove in there, I think the Bucks and Kumas can be used as free standers or inserts, just don't use the surround and make sure you put a block off plate.
 
Regardless of the appliance installed, a full stainless liner to daylight and a block off plate really need to be a part of the equation. Rick
 
Unfortunately, I let the stove installers talk me out of it years ago when I bought the stove. They assured me that I would have more creosote buildup if I installed one. So, I gave in and they didn't install one. I wish now I had.
 
kevin85 said:
Unfortunately, I let the stove installers talk me out of it years ago when I bought the stove. They assured me that I would have more creosote buildup if I installed one. So, I gave in and they didn't install one. I wish now I had.
Click to expand...

It can certainly be retrofitted, and would make the installation both safer and more efficient. Rick
 
fossil said:
It can certainly be retrofitted, and would make the installation both safer and more efficient. Rick
Click to expand...
I know. I need to have one installed this summer. Any idea how much it should cost to have one done? I am not the most handy & most likely would have to have someone do it.
 
Let's not derail SophieLake's thread. Your situation is a subject for a whole new interesting discussion, so I suggest you start a new thread. I'll look forward to participating. Rick
 
Thanks for all this information.

If I had a freestanding stove in there, will it provide enough heat quickly? That's been my hesitation. The house is 1200 sq ft but the room it's in is 20x30 with nearly no insulation (the ceiling - 18' at it's peak - is insulated). This was built as a summer house. When we come up on a Friday night and it's cold and really it stays cold. I think I need something with a blower, right? Also, I'd be more comfortable leaving a hot-ish insert when I drive off Sunday night and nervous about leaving a hot wood stove, but that may be all in my head. Is that a concern?

Another question, the Jotul advertises a "trimmable surround". Wouldn't any metal surround - or piece of sheet metal - be trimmable? Or is this something that's easier.
 
With the high ceiling you'll need a ceiling fan to keep the heat pushed down.
 
My freestanding stove throws very good heat right away. But you have to remember that it will need to heat everything in the room(walls, couches, furniture) before it will truly stay warm in there. The room I have my stove in is very similar to what you describe, which is also open to the 3 bedrooms upstairs. Depending on how I push the stove, it is not uncommon to have temps of 72-73 (from about 62-63)after only a few hours of burning.
 
I do have a fan on my stove as well.
 
If I had that fireplace, I would definitely install a free standing stove partly in the fireplace. That way you retain the looks of the beautiful hearth and get good heat at the same time. Liner, block off plate and perhaps a stove fan. You'll get more heat from a stove rather than an equivalent insert, as the insert surround tends to block some of the heat.

Just my .02. :)
 
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