solutions for cheap pre fab zero clearance fireplace

I have exact same situation. There is a tiny insert that would work in mine but it simply would not produce the heat and burn times I want. I will be pulling out my fireplace and replacing it with a BIS Ultra. You don't need a masonry chimney. I will be pulling my air-cooled chimney and replacing it with a 6" insulated stainless steel chimney.

I had a pre-fab installed on a 45 degree wall in the corner of the living room. I ripped out the pre-fab, and was able to take advantage of the hole in the roof to pipe in the free-standing stove that now sits in its' place.

I also had the same problem.

I had a heatilator FP that I pulled out and replaced with a zero clearance woodstove. Kozyheat z42. I also had to upgrade the flue to a HT flue rated for wood stoves. It was the same price as installing the smaller insert with a liner, so we just jerked it all out and started from scratch. It fit the old frame hole perfectly and the new flue fit exactly into the existing chase. The whole installation took mere minutes.

Several companies make zero clearance woodstoves (they look like fireplaces) that are designed to be exact replacements to cheap builder grade pre-fab fireplaces.

This zero clearance stove really puts out the heat. It has a blower and outside air kit. It heats my home (all but the room above the garage) roughly 3000 sf. I use 4-5 cords of wood and my heat is free. Best decision I ever made.

Ask a dealer about a zero clearance woodstove to replace the prefab fireplace. It's a simple fix.

As long as a reputable dealer is making the recommendations for the insert and liner and they are within the manufactures specs and you get a permit and inspection - this is also fine. We found that the insert that would fit the prefab fire place was too small and did not have the output we were looking for. The Kozyheat z42 has a big firebox and heats like a free standing stove. It also maintains the look of a fireplace for resale. It's a winner.

You might try what we did...

see sig link..

No reason for it not to work. Your existing chase should be fine as long as you can get 2" clearance around the class A. We have about 6"...

Ripped out my ZC and replaced with a freestanding stove. The old 8 inch triple wall wasn't to spec for the new stove so that had to go too. Replaced with 6 inch HT. It was an expensive complete system upgrade, but it should be good for at least a few decades if I treat it right.

fran35 said:

Dakotas Dad said:

You might try what we did...

see sig link..

No reason for it not to work. Your existing chase should be fine as long as you can get 2" clearance around the class A. We have about 6"...

Click to expand...

I looked at your photo album and your removal of your pre fab. Looks great...but it looks like you already had a brick chase. I am not sure mine is brick-would that matter? That looks like a great summer project. How much did the whole thing set you back?

Click to expand...

While we did have a brick chase (on three sides, the "house" side is only brick from just below the roof line), that doesn't matter as long as your chase is large enough to give 2" of clearance to any combustibles around the new class A chimney. The class A chimney is a system, it doesn't actually even need a chase at all. Many people install without one.

As far as $ we have about $3000 in the stove and chimney, about $230 in other materials*, except tile. We have about $600 in tile, but YOU don't have to use custom hand thrown arts and crafts reproductions... I didn't either.. but.. well, she did. ;-)

We did all the work ourselves.



*steel studs, screws, wonderboard, insulation, drywall, mortar, grout, incedentals**.


**bourbon, drywall tape/mud, more bourbon..

Excellent slide show. That's just like mine - except my chase was framed. Funny that the 3 side brick doesn't have any framing? or is there block and then brick?

yeah - changing it to an alcove with a free standing stove is also a great option. That was a nice job.

The beauty of a zero clearance woodstove is - it fits the same space and the install quite simple. It doesn't change the appearance and you dont' have to extend the hearth.

I would discourage the insert into the prefab. Not because of saftey - but because for what you'll spend doing that - you can have something better. Pull that baby out. It's easy. I sold mine on craigslist to a guy who bought it for an outdoor patio fireplace project. He bought the gas log set up too. Anything to help offset costs.

fran35 said:

I have a cheap zero clearance pre fab fireplace that came with the house. It is a huge piece of junk that wastes so much of my heat and makes the room freezing. I have read that there is no insert that will work in a pre fab fireplace. Is this true? Is there any solution besides spending several thousand to make a masonry chimney? I have seen a few members here who have installed an insert despite the cheap pre fab? Is this a special insert or are they just asking for trouble?

Click to expand...

You don't list the name of your ZC but if your looking for a insert to go in ZC...Avalon makes them. That is what I have in a Majestic ZC. It is a small box but heats my 2300 sq ft house with 8 hour burn times.

Cost with a liner just under $3000 installed, with the tax rebate from last year total cost for me will be $1800.

Too me it would cost $8000 to rip my zc out and remodel the space...I 'm also saving on wood the way the Avalon Pendelton with a blower burns compare to the zc and the cold draft of the zc will go away also. My picture is what it looks like with a surround covering the zc.

good luck

md