Free standing wood burning stove or wood burning stove insert?

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.

Trixie37843

New Member
Oct 18, 2014
5
Parrottsville, TN
Hi...I hope I've come to the right place ;em I've been reading through many posts but can't find any information on inserts vs freestanding.

Recently we purchased a home that has an existing wood burning fireplace. It's a 1,400 sq ft cabin in the mountains of northeast Tennessee. Home has crawl space only--fireplace is in living area that has an open floor plan with cathedral ceiling, 2 bedrooms in back and open loft bedroom 2nd floor. Currently the only heat source is a heat pump using electricity. Although we are in the south our home is in the mountains and winters can be quit cold dipping in to the teens over night.

My goal is to be able to heat with wood as primary heating source and have always desired a wood burning stove. I was hoping to get some of your opinions on the two....freestanding wood burning stove or wood burning stove insert? Thank you for your time.


Existing wood burning fireplace....
image.jpg
 
its hard to see is that a masonry fire place or a zero clearance unit? Looks like a zc to me if so what make and model is it?
 
I wouldn't know ...still educating myself on fireplaces and homes...first-time home owner here. Here's a closer pic ...maybe that will answer your question...only pic that I have...currently it's being rented and a vacation until we move in November. image.jpg
 
Freestanding stoves provide the advantage of having far more surface area exposed to the room, so you get more radiant heat. You also have some that offer top or side loading in addition to front loading which many of us find more convenient. Fireplaces have to use fans to push the heat from the rear and sides out into the room. Many people find the fans are noisy and get worse over the years. ZC fireplaces are usually built with layers of heavy & light sheet metal and firebricks inside the unit whereas stoves are normally heavy steel, cast iron or soapstone. The heavier the material, the softer the heat and the longer the heat is retained after you fire is out.

I looked a long time at ZC units to replace my old VC stove and even though the appearance would be nicer in my case, all other advantages pointed to a stove.
 
Looks like a zero clearance unit to me and then installing a freestanding stove would be the safer option. However, you will need to extend the hearth in front and check the fireplace opening height from the hearth to determine which stoves may fit.

One problem I see with either option (insert/stove) is the wood mantel. That will most likely need to be removed or you will need to install the stove pretty far out into the room.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Trixie37843
Looks like a zero clearence. Might have to demo out the chimney too, what ever you choose will probably need a difernt chimney system. You may have less Clarence to combustibles with an insert. If you go with a free standing unit you'll have to at least build a hearth extension. Whatever you choose plan on double the price for a new liner and other materials.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Trixie37843
Yeah we need to know the model of the fireplace to see if an insert is a possibility in my opinion it is not with most zeroclearance units
 
  • Like
Reactions: Trixie37843
I was in a similar position a few years ago and have been pleased with our decision to put in a freestanding stove. I like being able to side load, also wanted to be able to get max heat output in event of power outage(ice storm). Most inserts depend on blowers for max output. My wife wanted the option of cooking on the stove top as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Trixie37843
Exactly! When the time comes we will definitely convert even though it appears to be a bigger job than we anticipated...but depending on your goals I believe the pros outweigh the cons many times over!!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.