We are building a new home and have purchased a Vermont Castings Vigilant (used) Woodstove. Basically the home has been designed for maximum heat flow from the woodstove.
We have designed the hearth for a fireplace, and then we will plumb the woodstove into that. The purpose is that we realize that some people don't like woodstoves, and if we ever move, we want the new owners to be able to easily use the existing fireplace (we'd take the stove with us if we moved).
Our builder just doesn't seem to understand this. I went over to the home the other day and saw that the builder had installed a cheap-looking fireplace insert. There is also a metal flue going up the chimney. I called the builder to tell him that we basically wanted a brick fireplace. He says that we need a full masonry chimney if we want that. Is this true. I've had this setup in other homes, and it seems to be fine, but I never knew what the flue was made of.
I spoke to the builder today and he said that he could install a much larger insert, and we could plumb the woodstove into that. That is not what I want (because I think inserts look cheap), but I'll do it if that is what I have to do with the metal flue chimney that is already constructed. The chimney is 34 feet and has a metal flue.
What are my options? The hearth is 12" high and will extend 16" beyond the woodstove. I don't understand why I can't just line the framed-out firebox with firebrick, and somehow duct that into the metal flue. Then I can run my stovepipe right through the fireplace.
Help.
We have designed the hearth for a fireplace, and then we will plumb the woodstove into that. The purpose is that we realize that some people don't like woodstoves, and if we ever move, we want the new owners to be able to easily use the existing fireplace (we'd take the stove with us if we moved).
Our builder just doesn't seem to understand this. I went over to the home the other day and saw that the builder had installed a cheap-looking fireplace insert. There is also a metal flue going up the chimney. I called the builder to tell him that we basically wanted a brick fireplace. He says that we need a full masonry chimney if we want that. Is this true. I've had this setup in other homes, and it seems to be fine, but I never knew what the flue was made of.
I spoke to the builder today and he said that he could install a much larger insert, and we could plumb the woodstove into that. That is not what I want (because I think inserts look cheap), but I'll do it if that is what I have to do with the metal flue chimney that is already constructed. The chimney is 34 feet and has a metal flue.
What are my options? The hearth is 12" high and will extend 16" beyond the woodstove. I don't understand why I can't just line the framed-out firebox with firebrick, and somehow duct that into the metal flue. Then I can run my stovepipe right through the fireplace.
Help.