I wanted show off our new fireplace and also thank the members for all the good info you post on this site. In Oct 2007 I began building an addition on to our home that would double the size of our living. We wanted to add a nice "real" wood-burning fp so I used this site as my "Bible" for gaining knowledge of fireplaces, chimneys, hearth materials, etc. We just finished the addition a few weeks ago and have used the Quadra-Fire on a few chilly nights. Let me tell you, this unit puts out a LOT of heat. Anyway we are very pleased with the operation and final look of the fp. One small problem we would like suggestions for, the wood under the mantel gets very hot during a burn. The dealer we purchased from recommended some type of heat deflector above the unit or below the mantel but that's kinda difficult for me to visualize. I hate to have done all this work to have nice looking setup and then stick something ugly to deflect the heat. Any suggestions? Again, thanks for all the info you have shared that has brought us this far in our project.
New Quadra-Fire 7100
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Wow, that's a gorgeous installation. Nice job!
The stove is flush and the mantel is high. Maybe this is not an issue? What temps are you seeing on the bottom-side of the mantel with the stove running?
The stove is flush and the mantel is high. Maybe this is not an issue? What temps are you seeing on the bottom-side of the mantel with the stove running?
I have not measured the temp. but the wood on the underside of the mantel gets so hot you cannot hold your hand on it. The installation manual shows a mantle height of 60" from the bottom of the fp. I installed the mantel top 61" above the fp but the mantel bottom is only 56" so I'm a little low according to the instructions. But like I told the dealer, as hot as it gets I don't think an additional 4" of height would make much difference.
Marty
Feeling the Heat
I don't like the sound of that underside wood temperature. You should start directing a fan toward the underside of that mantel while you burn to keep it from heating up over a prolonged time period until you can explore your options. It looks beautiful but I believe you must modify it.
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Hogwildz
Minister of Fire
Thinking out of the box here, and I am far (FAR) from an interior design kinda guy, would it be possible to build (from the same type of stone) a contour "visor" of some sorts. Just above the line of bricks? If done properly, it may even give it a little "pop". Not that it needs anything because it is out-freaking-standing IMHO, just trying to think of a solution to your problem.
It definitely sounds like a heat shield of some sort is in order or a different, non-combustible mantel.
My thoughts are:
a. a removable shield made out of a strip of 24 ga sheetmetal, about 14" deep, painted black and inserted in the edge where the stove meets the brick. It would act like an eyebrow shield. or
b. a black mantel shield mounted to the underside of the mantel with 1" spacers. It should project at least an 1" beyond the edge of the mantel with a slightly upturned lip. or
c. replace the wood mantel with an equally stunning stone mantel
My thoughts are:
a. a removable shield made out of a strip of 24 ga sheetmetal, about 14" deep, painted black and inserted in the edge where the stove meets the brick. It would act like an eyebrow shield. or
b. a black mantel shield mounted to the underside of the mantel with 1" spacers. It should project at least an 1" beyond the edge of the mantel with a slightly upturned lip. or
c. replace the wood mantel with an equally stunning stone mantel
is raising the mantle an option ? the 4" higher by the book was necessary, thats where it was tested to. job looks great
savageactor7
Minister of Fire
Fellows, thanks for all the suggestions. I would prefer not to remove any stone or change out the mantel if possible but know I will need to modify something, I kinda like BeGreen's option b., I can visualize a metal deflector installed under the mantle that would not detract from the overall look and be fairly easy to construct and install. The dealer said he could send his serviceman by next week to take a look at the setup, we'll see he recommends. As Marty suggested, I can run a fan temporarily to move heat away from the mantel.
Savageactor7, you missed the guess on the kids being all grown up. The green bounce ball near the fireplace is a clue about their ages. My wife and I made a late life decision on kids and adopted these 2 little girls from China. Our friends call us "the oldest parents in the world." The kidos are a lot of fun but a LOT of work also!
Savageactor7, you missed the guess on the kids being all grown up. The green bounce ball near the fireplace is a clue about their ages. My wife and I made a late life decision on kids and adopted these 2 little girls from China. Our friends call us "the oldest parents in the world." The kidos are a lot of fun but a LOT of work also!
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savageactor7
Minister of Fire
jabram,
first, congrats on a beautiful looking fp and stonework, it really looks great. how do you like the 7100 so far? we love ours, except for the cracked manifold.
now onto your question. we intentionally did not go with a mantle because of the clearance and worry about the potential for fire. my suggestion is to move up the current mantle to the min standard rec'd by quad or an even better would be to remove and install one made out of stone or another non combustible. I know its a huge hassle and potential cost but in the long run you and your families safety is worth it. also remember not to hang stockings or other combustibles on the mantle as they might go up in flames.
first, congrats on a beautiful looking fp and stonework, it really looks great. how do you like the 7100 so far? we love ours, except for the cracked manifold.
now onto your question. we intentionally did not go with a mantle because of the clearance and worry about the potential for fire. my suggestion is to move up the current mantle to the min standard rec'd by quad or an even better would be to remove and install one made out of stone or another non combustible. I know its a huge hassle and potential cost but in the long run you and your families safety is worth it. also remember not to hang stockings or other combustibles on the mantle as they might go up in flames.
You need to do something if the mantle is too hot to touch. Since winters are kind of short in Hog town, even aluminum foil will reflect the heat enough to prevent the mantel from burning. Someone on here will know the term for what happens when wood is repeatedly exposed to high temperatures and then bursts into flames at temperatures normal wood will not.
Chettt: Spontaneous combustion?
On another note: jabram
I don't have any better suggestions than the ones that were already made, but wanted to chime in on telling you that your insert/fireplace/addition is absolutely gorgeous! Truly picture perfect. The mantle gets that hot with the fan running @ full blast? (wow!) I thought that the fan would help push the heat out away from under the mantle a bit more than that. Just goes to show you what this newb knows.
That's why I float here, trying to learn and absorb from everyone else's knowledge.
Oh yeah, great job on the adoption also! I think that all anyone really needs in this world is love and a place to feel safe and stay warm.
My old neighbors went on what I thought was a two week vacation and came home with a baby girl from China. Not to get too far off topic, but did you have to go to China as they did?
On another note: jabram
I don't have any better suggestions than the ones that were already made, but wanted to chime in on telling you that your insert/fireplace/addition is absolutely gorgeous! Truly picture perfect. The mantle gets that hot with the fan running @ full blast? (wow!) I thought that the fan would help push the heat out away from under the mantle a bit more than that. Just goes to show you what this newb knows.
That's why I float here, trying to learn and absorb from everyone else's knowledge.
Oh yeah, great job on the adoption also! I think that all anyone really needs in this world is love and a place to feel safe and stay warm.
My old neighbors went on what I thought was a two week vacation and came home with a baby girl from China. Not to get too far off topic, but did you have to go to China as they did?
CT-Mike
Minister of Fire
jabram said:
Jabram,
You don't think 4" would make that much of a difference, but the intensity of most anything (with the exception of lasers at least) drops off with the inverse cube of the distance from the point of origin.
So far example, lets say your heat intensity was 1 @ 60".
At 64" it would be 82% of what it was @ 60". You may think it won't make that much of a difference, but an 18% is pretty significant.
The formula to use would be (Intesity1)*(Distance1 cubed) = (Intensity2)*(Distance2 cubed)
BTW, that is a gorgeous room, fireplace, and daughters. BZ on the adoption, girls definitely tend to be an unwanted commodity in China due to laws on the number of children allowed.
InTheRockies
New Member
I have to echo what everyone else has said--beautiful fp and room. Good job! Those girls are awfully cute, too. They'll keep you young so don't let anyone kid you and your wife about being the oldest parents. 
Sounds like resolution of your problem won't be too hard to tackle. Enjoy your new room this winter.
Sounds like resolution of your problem won't be too hard to tackle. Enjoy your new room this winter.fishinpa said:
fishinpa- Thanks for the compliment on the room/fireplace. The mantel gets too hot to touch before the fan kicks on but it does cool down some after the fan runs for a few minutes. With the suggestions made here and from my dealer, I think I can construct a fairly simple deflector to solve the problem. This is one of those deals where if I have read the installation instructions a little more carefully we probably would not have the problem.
Yes on the 2 week trip to China. We went in 2002 to get our first daughter, she was 13 months. We went for another two weeks in 2005 for the younger daughter, she was 11 months. Traveling in China was an eye-opening experience for this Arkansas hillbilly, makes you appreciate America and wonder why we have so many whinners and complainers in this country.
I'm picturing a nice piece of hammered bronze, hung from a couple of short pieces of ornamental chain........
Jabram,
This is one of the most eye-catching installs I've found on the internet - beautiful work and nicely planned. Could I ask what kind of rockwork that is - is that a cultured stone of some sort? And what did you use for the hearth -- is that a flagstone of some sort? Thanks!
This is one of the most eye-catching installs I've found on the internet - beautiful work and nicely planned. Could I ask what kind of rockwork that is - is that a cultured stone of some sort? And what did you use for the hearth -- is that a flagstone of some sort? Thanks!
Beekeeper, thanks for the nice comment. Some of my DIY'er projects don't turn out as well as planned but this is one that turned our well, even my wife was pleased! This is cultured stone from Owens-Corning. The style/color is Bucks County Country Ledgestone and the hearth is O-C Marsh hearthstones. I framed the chase with 2x4's and covered the chase with 1/2" duroc. FYI, I had about $1300 in the rock and hearthstone, this includes about six feet of covered chase above the roof.beekeeper said:
We looked at several brands of cultured stone sold by local vendors but none seemed to have the natural color equal to OC.
Hope this helps!
Thanks for the info - we've been browsing around on the OC site and liked some of the ledgerock - I think that's definitely what we'll go with then. One thing I've not really been able to figure out - how much thickness does the stone add, not including the durock?And did you let it extend a little beyond the fireplace, or did you design it so the rock is exactly flush? Thanks!!
SlyFerret
Minister of Fire
Wow! If I ever build a new home, I may very well put one of those 7100's in! That looks really nice!
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