We've pretty much decided that the best compromise will be a flush, wood-burning insert. There doesn't seem to be a lot of options out there.
The top contender at the moment is the Lopi Declaration. So here are two questions:
1) Other than faceplate options, is there any major difference between the Declaration, the Avalon Perfect Fit and the Fireplace Xtrordinair FPX 33 Elite? All are made by Travis, look about the same and have the same specs.
2) Is there any other insert or brand I should look at? Our house is a 2000 Sq ft Cape-Cod, built in '61, with the fireplace roughly in the middle of the living room (first floor). The current heat is oil boiler with baseboard radiators. It worked well, for the few winter months we were here last year, but costs $$$. I'd like to get most of our heat from wood, with the radiators as a backup. The above stoves seem to have the largest firebox (2.9 sq ft), by far, of any flush-fitting insert I've seen. It sounds like Travis makes good inserts. Any other considerations?
Thanks
The top contender at the moment is the Lopi Declaration. So here are two questions:
1) Other than faceplate options, is there any major difference between the Declaration, the Avalon Perfect Fit and the Fireplace Xtrordinair FPX 33 Elite? All are made by Travis, look about the same and have the same specs.
2) Is there any other insert or brand I should look at? Our house is a 2000 Sq ft Cape-Cod, built in '61, with the fireplace roughly in the middle of the living room (first floor). The current heat is oil boiler with baseboard radiators. It worked well, for the few winter months we were here last year, but costs $$$. I'd like to get most of our heat from wood, with the radiators as a backup. The above stoves seem to have the largest firebox (2.9 sq ft), by far, of any flush-fitting insert I've seen. It sounds like Travis makes good inserts. Any other considerations?
Thanks
