Hey woodburners, a few months ago I decided I wanted to add a woodstove to my house. My house is a big converted warehouse with thick stone walls, an open floor plan, and propane heat that costs about $1000/month in the coldest months. So I decided adding a classic wood stove would be the answer to reducing cost and adding to the ambiance of the place.
I read up on here about extra large wood stoves and came to the conclusion that the Kuma Sequoia was the way to go, even though you guys don't have a ton of info on this particular model. I was looking at the Buck 91 and others, too, but it seemed like the Kuma had the biggest firebox. I have about 3000 sq ft on the main floor, and 1800 sq ft upstairs, so finding the biggest heater I could find was important.
My roommate is the craftsman, and i'm the extra pair of hands and installation manual reader.
First step- build the hearth. We decided to do a classic brick hearth. Cut the carpet out and exposed the wood sub floor. Installed concrete board over the wood sub floor, and laid the bricks on top.
The back wall was two different depths- one wall about an inch deeper. We used metal ties to space the brick 1 inch and 2 inch away, respectively, from the drywall.
Next step, get 5 guys to lift the stove up onto the hearth. We put it up on blocks, then screwed the legs onto the stove. Next, lift the stove up again and remove the blocks. voila
Which brings us to the mantel. My roommate got a piece of reclaimed lumber with some great saw marks. He used linseed oil to bring out the character.
And up goes the stove pipe. We used selkirk DSP double wall stove pipe- one 3 foot section and one telescoping section. First we had to cut a hole in the upper landing area. In that space we installed a firestop joist shield from the top, and a finish support package on the bottom. The chimney pipe with a chimney pipe adapter drops down from the top, and the stove pipe meets it.
This as far as we've gotten. Next step is the chimney. We have to do a bend around some existing duct work, then up through the roof. I will update as we make progress.
Also, please let me know if I'm doing anything wrong! This if the first time either of us has installed a wood stove.
I read up on here about extra large wood stoves and came to the conclusion that the Kuma Sequoia was the way to go, even though you guys don't have a ton of info on this particular model. I was looking at the Buck 91 and others, too, but it seemed like the Kuma had the biggest firebox. I have about 3000 sq ft on the main floor, and 1800 sq ft upstairs, so finding the biggest heater I could find was important.
My roommate is the craftsman, and i'm the extra pair of hands and installation manual reader.
First step- build the hearth. We decided to do a classic brick hearth. Cut the carpet out and exposed the wood sub floor. Installed concrete board over the wood sub floor, and laid the bricks on top.
The back wall was two different depths- one wall about an inch deeper. We used metal ties to space the brick 1 inch and 2 inch away, respectively, from the drywall.
Next step, get 5 guys to lift the stove up onto the hearth. We put it up on blocks, then screwed the legs onto the stove. Next, lift the stove up again and remove the blocks. voila
Which brings us to the mantel. My roommate got a piece of reclaimed lumber with some great saw marks. He used linseed oil to bring out the character.
And up goes the stove pipe. We used selkirk DSP double wall stove pipe- one 3 foot section and one telescoping section. First we had to cut a hole in the upper landing area. In that space we installed a firestop joist shield from the top, and a finish support package on the bottom. The chimney pipe with a chimney pipe adapter drops down from the top, and the stove pipe meets it.
This as far as we've gotten. Next step is the chimney. We have to do a bend around some existing duct work, then up through the roof. I will update as we make progress.
Also, please let me know if I'm doing anything wrong! This if the first time either of us has installed a wood stove.
Looking good. I believe you need a chase or some kind of guard around the class A on the second floor. I'd be interested in what the actual fire box measurements are. The Buck literature says 4+ cu.ft. but that must be with all the guts torn out because it's more like 3, useable space. It does toss serious heat, nonetheless. 
I hope the stove does it all for you; It's got all the vowels so that's a start. 
I will post in the thread a lot, as it's the only chance I get to type that many vowels in a row... 
