What are my options? Not your standard square opening.

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rpenner54

New Member
Dec 19, 2014
6
Wichita KS
I would like to get this upgraded to something that is efficient at some point. I am tired of the draft and would like to be able to get some btu's out of whatever I find that works right for this opening.

This thing is a standard masonry fireplace with a arched opening. It is roughly 36" wide at the bottom and 30" tall in the middle. The depth is 20"or so. I have a steel damper with the ash tray clean-out at the bottom.

Everything I see online for inserts doesn't really seem to fit the way this should look. I really don't want the steel square covers to go along the edges of this. Someone give me some hints of brands to look for.

Thanks,

Ryan Penner
 

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rpenner54 said:
I would like to get this upgraded to something that is efficient at some point. I am tired of the draft and would like to be able to get some btu's out of whatever I find that works right for this opening.

This thing is a standard masonry fireplace with a arched opening. It is roughly 36" wide at the bottom and 30" tall in the middle. The depth is 20"or so. I have a steel damper with the ash tray clean-out at the bottom.

Everything I see online for inserts doesn't really seem to fit the way this should look. I really don't want the steel square covers to go along the edges of this. Someone give me some hints of brands to look for.

Thanks,

Ryan Penner
Click to expand...

I would look at the Regency or similar inserts that have a steel sheet metal surround.
I installed an I3100L into a similar opening for my sister.
I made a cardboard template of the arched opening & then laid out, cut & ground the sheet metal to fit.
I don't have pix of the finished product, but it came out nicely.
 
DAKSY said:
I would look at the Regency or similar inserts that have a steel sheet metal surround.
I installed an I3100L into a similar opening for my sister.
I made a cardboard template of the arched opening & then laid out, cut & ground the sheet metal to fit.
I don't have pix of the finished product, but it came out nicely.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't need to have the stove be proud of the opening it could be set-back behind my brick and just run the steel up to that arch? That rocks!
 
To bad, the arched front doors on the Jotul 500 would look good with that stone work..
 
On the same wavelength, but I was thinking a Castine (Jotul F400) for front door operation. It would look great in there.
 
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Here is a better view. I have a hearth right in front and the chair can/is moved if we would use this thing.
 

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Tell us a bit about the home and what the plans for the heater are. What is the size of the home? Is the floorplan open or is the stove room closed off by a doorway? Do you intend to use the stove nights and weekends or 24/7?
 
A little visualization of a freestander in the fireplace.

fireplace2.jpg
 
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rpenner54 said:
Here is a better view. I have a hearth right in front and the chair can/is moved if we would use this thing.
Click to expand...

The stockings have to go. Prepare the wife for that. Just saying !!

Welcome to the forums !!!
 
I'd go with a small freestanding like previously recommended. The mason work is too nice to hide with an insert.
 
The floorplan is mostly open. 1800 square feet upstairs, ~1400 in the basement. This room is a sunk in living room with a concrete floor house was built in 1972. This room is cold the rest of the house is decent. We would love to suplement heat with this thing nights/weekends. No 24/7 type of stuff.

I want to keep the brickwork/stonework out. If I could do an insert and just trim/tuck the metal to the opening I would like that. I would have to see if I could physically fit a free stander inside the opening itself. I worry that I would have drafts from that.
 
You can do an insert with a custom surround that fits within the arch or just leave off the surround. If you want to run without a surround, Buck stoves come to mind. They are designed to run as a freestander or insert.
 
Thanks so much for all the recommendations. I am a carpenter by trade but this area is not my specialty. :) I don't think we will be getting anything this year but hope to by next year.
 
rpenner54 said:
I would have to see if I could physically fit a free stander inside the opening itself.
Click to expand...

That will probably be tough to find with just 30" of height and the arch. An insert with a custom surround from a welding shop that follows the arch will leave you with many more options.
rpenner54 said:
I worry that I would have drafts from that.
Click to expand...

No drafts when you put a block-off plate in which is also highly recommended for an insert unless you want to heat the outside: https://www.hearth.com/talk/wiki/make-a-damper-sealing-block-off-plate/
rpenner54 said:
I don't think we will be getting anything this year but hope to by next year.
Click to expand...

Good choice. Take your time to find the right unit. However, get several cords of split wood already and stack that in your yard. That way you will be burning wood in your new stove that is actually dry next winter.
 
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