I have a Woodstock Progress on order, which can be top or rear vented. My current thimble is centered about 20 to 21 inches above the top of the Progress. I need to upgrade my hearth R-value before installing the new stove and it has crossed my mind that raising the hearth 7 to 8 inches would be nice. However, that would not give me much height between the top of the stove and the thimble (about a foot). I think this would look strange and I think I've heard that at 24 inches of height is best before turning into the chimney. So, here are my options:
1. Just upgrade the hearth R-value and top vent the Progress into the existing thimble giving me about 20 inches of height from exhaust to thimble.
2. Raise the hearth 7 to 8 inches and top vent into the existing thimble giving me about 12 inches of height from exhaust to thimble.
3. Raise the hearth 7 to 8 inches and cut a new thimble into the chimney, seal up the old one, and rent vent the Progress.
I think I like option 3, especially when most of the cost of the thimble work would be offset by needing a lot less stovepipe. I spoke with my chimney sweep today (who would do the chimney work), and he said he would never recommend rear venting straight back into the chimney. He said even with a rear vent stove, he really likes to get 24 inches of vertical stovepipe before entering the chimney. He's been cleaning my dad's chimney for years and said he's never like how his Hearthstone II vents straight back into the chimney.
He also said he would never recommend a Cat stove, because it costs about $500 with all the labor required to change one out. :roll:
Woodstock doesn't think there is much benefit with top or rear venting either way.
What do you all think?
Thanks!
1. Just upgrade the hearth R-value and top vent the Progress into the existing thimble giving me about 20 inches of height from exhaust to thimble.
2. Raise the hearth 7 to 8 inches and top vent into the existing thimble giving me about 12 inches of height from exhaust to thimble.
3. Raise the hearth 7 to 8 inches and cut a new thimble into the chimney, seal up the old one, and rent vent the Progress.
I think I like option 3, especially when most of the cost of the thimble work would be offset by needing a lot less stovepipe. I spoke with my chimney sweep today (who would do the chimney work), and he said he would never recommend rear venting straight back into the chimney. He said even with a rear vent stove, he really likes to get 24 inches of vertical stovepipe before entering the chimney. He's been cleaning my dad's chimney for years and said he's never like how his Hearthstone II vents straight back into the chimney.
He also said he would never recommend a Cat stove, because it costs about $500 with all the labor required to change one out. :roll:
Woodstock doesn't think there is much benefit with top or rear venting either way.
What do you all think?
Thanks!