Hey everyone,
![[Hearth.com] Another Woodstock vs Hearthstone question](https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/wshearth-webp.339801/ "[Hearth.com] Another Woodstock vs Hearthstone question")
Which stove should I choose? Looking for updated opinions since a lot of threads I saw are older now.
Replacing a 90’s VC Encore, needs too much work and want to replace before the tax credit expires. Stove is in my living room on 1st floor, it’s gets pretty hot in there so I was hoping soapstone would help lessen the blow a little. Wanted a hybrid since we need long burn times for overnight and when we’re all at work (8-10 hours). We have electric heat so stove is PRIMARY heat source and it needs to run without issue, almost 24/7 from late fall to early spring.
Live in NE corner of CT, house is a cape with 2nd floor. Honestly most the time we don’t heat the 2nd floor as all living is done on first floor. Roughly 2200 sq ft total house.
I think I have settled between a Woodstock Progress and a Hearthstone Heritage or Mansfield.
So far I am leaning towards the Woodstock. I can’t find really any complaints online about Woodstock stoves where I see plenty of complaints about Hearthstone.
I wasn’t sure if they’ve addressed some of their common issues in newer stoves. I was going to email them but no way to contact them on their website, they want you to talk to a dealer. Woodstock on the other hand has had no problem answering my 20 questions so far.
Positives for Hearthstone is I have a dealer 30 mins away and a mutual friend is a salesman there (he did say hasn't heard good things about Woodstock stoves, no dealers for parts...but I take that with a grain of salt). Prices would be very similar between all 3 choices. Also if I go with the front loading HS Mansfield, I believe my current raised hearth would have all the proper clearance. If I go with a side loading Heritage or WS Progress, I would need to address side clearance, most likely by adding a hearth pad along that side. I also have a coworker who has been happy with his noncat Hearthstone.
Delivery for the HS would probably be easier, but I do have a local safe company willing to take delivery of the WS for me and I could pay them to get it into my house. HS dealer also offered 10% off if I pick up instead of delivery. I like the looks of the HS a little better but not enough to persuade me to change my mind if WS is the more reliable stove.
So, lots of details there but help me decide! Any advice on my hearth would be welcome as well. I read on here that a rasied hearth counts for more clearance, can anyone confirm that? Thanks so much for any replies or advice. I have been researching myself crazy for about 3 weeks now but its such a big purchase and an important part of our house that I need to make the correct choice!
Which stove should I choose? Looking for updated opinions since a lot of threads I saw are older now.
Replacing a 90’s VC Encore, needs too much work and want to replace before the tax credit expires. Stove is in my living room on 1st floor, it’s gets pretty hot in there so I was hoping soapstone would help lessen the blow a little. Wanted a hybrid since we need long burn times for overnight and when we’re all at work (8-10 hours). We have electric heat so stove is PRIMARY heat source and it needs to run without issue, almost 24/7 from late fall to early spring.
Live in NE corner of CT, house is a cape with 2nd floor. Honestly most the time we don’t heat the 2nd floor as all living is done on first floor. Roughly 2200 sq ft total house.
I think I have settled between a Woodstock Progress and a Hearthstone Heritage or Mansfield.
So far I am leaning towards the Woodstock. I can’t find really any complaints online about Woodstock stoves where I see plenty of complaints about Hearthstone.
I wasn’t sure if they’ve addressed some of their common issues in newer stoves. I was going to email them but no way to contact them on their website, they want you to talk to a dealer. Woodstock on the other hand has had no problem answering my 20 questions so far.
Positives for Hearthstone is I have a dealer 30 mins away and a mutual friend is a salesman there (he did say hasn't heard good things about Woodstock stoves, no dealers for parts...but I take that with a grain of salt). Prices would be very similar between all 3 choices. Also if I go with the front loading HS Mansfield, I believe my current raised hearth would have all the proper clearance. If I go with a side loading Heritage or WS Progress, I would need to address side clearance, most likely by adding a hearth pad along that side. I also have a coworker who has been happy with his noncat Hearthstone.
Delivery for the HS would probably be easier, but I do have a local safe company willing to take delivery of the WS for me and I could pay them to get it into my house. HS dealer also offered 10% off if I pick up instead of delivery. I like the looks of the HS a little better but not enough to persuade me to change my mind if WS is the more reliable stove.
So, lots of details there but help me decide! Any advice on my hearth would be welcome as well. I read on here that a rasied hearth counts for more clearance, can anyone confirm that? Thanks so much for any replies or advice. I have been researching myself crazy for about 3 weeks now but its such a big purchase and an important part of our house that I need to make the correct choice!
