Contemplating a new zero clearance fireplace what are my options?

[Hoosierfire]

Hello everybody! I'm a long time lurker first time poster. Currently live in northern Indiana. Been wanting a new modern fireplace for a while. Have 7acres of thick timber, and would love to utilize it to do the majority of heating our home. We had a local company come out and give an estimate 1 year ago for ripping out our existing decorative fireplace and installing a Valcourt Lafayette II. Well after the sticker shock we decided that it was going to have to wait. Total estimate was $21,000 I assume this was a we don't need your business price...With only a couple other installers in the area I have not even bothered getting another quote yet. The itch is happening again though to at least get the ball rolling on what I want/need.

Our house is a ranch style with brick siding all around 2x6 construction. the first floor is about 1800 sq ft with a full walk out basement below. Currently we have a basic fireplace and marble mantel. I'll try to attach some pics. My questions are how big of a unit should I be looking to get? I know a lot of these fireplaces have an option for forced air distribution. Is this something recommended for the basement? Current fireplace is 36" in width but our brut chimney measures 57 3/4" wide. Would like to know if I can fit an Apex 42, Osburn Everest II or similar unit. For reference the Marble on the floor sticks out 20" and is 68" wide. Thanks!

 

[begreen]

It looks like this has to come out from the front and then the wall rebuilt The quote is high, but does it include rebuilding the interior face including mantel and finishing?

The Valcourt offers good value. It sells for around $4,000. Then figure at least $2000 for the chimney parts. The question is whether the current brick chase is deep enough to fit it.

 

[Hoosierfire]

It looks like this has to come out from the front and then the wall rebuilt The quote is high, but does it include rebuilding the interior face including mantel and finishing?

The Valcourt offers good value. It sells for around $4,000. Then figure at least $2000 for the chimney parts. The question is whether the current brick chase is deep enough to fit it.

Price was to completely redo absolutely everything. including refinishing mantel. I'm thinking about just ripping the old unit out and paying to just rough in the new unit and install new chimney liner. I would then do all the finish/new mantel work myself to save money. I feel like i'm not the first to have a similar approach to save a little money. depth of the chimney is 35 inches outside to inside.

 

[begreen]

If you are good with tools, can measure correctly, patient, read and follow directions, then you might be able to do the whole job.

 

[EbS-P]

Have you considered a free standing stove?

 

[ericm979]

Six years ago we paid a bit more than that to rip out the existing fake rock hearth and mantle and cheap prefab fireplace and completely rebuild it to include a zero clearance fireplace with a nice tiled surround and new mantle. A not insignificant part of the cost was about 32' of the special insulated flue to go in the framed chase. Also even then there was a premium for construction work in our area (and it's gotten much worse since).

Not knowing all the details, the bid you got could really reflect the cost of the work. The only way to find out is to get more bids.

If we'd had the space I'd have used a free standing stove. The new house we're building in Oregon will have a free standing stove. The installation costs are less but the other benefits like not needing a fan running full time and being able to easily replace the stove should we want are even more important.

 

[begreen]

A freestanding stove in the alcove created by the removal of the old ZC is worth considering.

 

[kborndale]

Six years ago we paid a bit more than that to rip out the existing fake rock hearth and mantle and cheap prefab fireplace and completely rebuild it to include a zero clearance fireplace with a nice tiled surround and new mantle. A not insignificant part of the cost was about 32' of the special insulated flue to go in the framed chase. Also even then there was a premium for construction work in our area (and it's gotten much worse since).

Not knowing all the details, the bid you got could really reflect the cost of the work. The only way to find out is to get more bids.

If we'd had the space I'd have used a free standing stove. The new house we're building in Oregon will have a free standing stove. The installation costs are less but the other benefits like not needing a fan running full time and being able to easily replace the stove should we want are even more important.

What was special about your insulated flue?

 

[Hoosierfire]

If you are good with tools, can measure correctly, patient, read and follow directions, then you might be able to do the whole job.

I’m pretty handy and confident in my ability to rip out the old unit and put in the steel studs and frame in the new unit. My confidence goes down hill when I start researching stove pipe and liners. I’m assuming I would need to run new stove pipe up the brick chase correct?

 

[Hoosierfire]

The few reply’s here I greatly appreciate by the way. I’ve tried to respond as best I can but I work on call 6 days a week To the posts about putting in a wood stove in the alcove…I would LOVE a stove instead of a fireplace, but assumed I would have clearance issues with combustible material etc. is there a small enough stove to put in that space??

 

[EbS-P]

The few reply’s here I greatly appreciate by the way. I’ve tried to respond as best I can but I work on call 6 days a week To the posts about putting in a wood stove in the alcove…I would LOVE a stove instead of a fireplace, but assumed I would have clearance issues with combustible material etc. is there a small enough stove to put in that space??

How wide will it be?

 

[Hoosierfire]

Six years ago we paid a bit more than that to rip out the existing fake rock hearth and mantle and cheap prefab fireplace and completely rebuild it to include a zero clearance fireplace with a nice tiled surround and new mantle. A not insignificant part of the cost was about 32' of the special insulated flue to go in the framed chase. Also even then there was a premium for construction work in our area (and it's gotten much worse since).

Not knowing all the details, the bid you got could really reflect the cost of the work. The only way to find out is to get more bids.

If we'd had the space I'd have used a free standing stove. The new house we're building in Oregon will have a free standing stove. The installation costs are less but the other benefits like not needing a fan running full time and being able to easily replace the stove should we want are even more important.

Appreciate your input. I’m thinking about calling and getting Atleast one if not two more quotes before I do anything. Also seriously considering putting a wood stove in the alcove now.

 

[Hoosierfire]

How wide will it be?

about 47 inches wide on the inside.

 

[EbS-P]

about 47 inches wide on the inside.

I bet you can find one. Compromises will be made.

I think this one would fit. https://truenorthstoves.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/100000064-TN20-B_240424-28.pdf

 

[EbS-P]

And this one

https://www.pacificenergy.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11900073-Neo-1.6-LE-and-2.5-LE-Brochure.pdf

 

[ericm979]

What was special about your insulated flue?

It was one of the flues required by the stove manufacturer.

 

[ericm979]

Appreciate your input. I’m thinking about calling and getting Atleast one if not two more quotes before I do anything. Also seriously considering putting a wood stove in the alcove now.

I wanted to do an alcove and a regular stove. I couldn't fit it in with the required clearances without eating up too much space from a living room that's too small already.

 

[Hoosierfire]

And this one

https://www.pacificenergy.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11900073-Neo-1.6-LE-and-2.5-LE-Brochure.pdf

Thank you for the recommendations. I’m apparently going down a rabbit hole tomorrow on my day off. I will report back with more questions for everybody lol.

 

[Hoosierfire]

OK, after some digging around I am fairly certain about staying on the Fireplace route vs a wood stove. I think a stove would be nice, but with the width restrictions i'm limited to a smaller size which means less heat output. My current debate is deciding what model ZC to use. i'm 100% certain the Lafayette II will fit! when the guys gave me an estimate he seemed very confident about all the measurements/Clearances.
Of course being stubborn I want the biggest possible unit I can fit in the space . The Lafayette II has a 2.5 cu ft firebox and maximum 80,000 btu rating, and requires a framing space of 37-3/4". I also had my eye on the Everest II which is a 3 cu ft firebox with a max 85,000 btu rating and requires a framing space of 41-3/4". with a 4 inch difference I am fairly certain it would fit, but still not 100% certain. Would it be worth the effort to put in a slightly bigger unit for only an extra 5,000btu and .5 Cu ft of firebox?

Also side note. My basement is roughly 70% finished and completely insulated. I have also tossed around the idea of just having a massive stove downstairs, and running chimney pipe through a coat closet/attic to the roof. the stairway is wide open so I'm assuming heat would rise easily. Too many ideas and I'm by no ends an expert so please feel free to correct/critique.

 

[kborndale]

I heat from my basement, as long as it's insulated and a centrally located stairway they work just fine. You won't spend so much time down there in the winter as you have to overheat the basement to keep the main floor comfortable, and you have to bring wood downstairs, but none of that bothers much.

 

[Hoosierfire]

Right, I do have a pool table and bar downstairs which get used during the winter time. The basement is a walkout which has a sliding door. Bringing wood in wouldn’t be too much of a burden. I’m about to pick up the phone and call another company to come out and have a look. If nothing more than to see what realistic options I have.

 

[bigealta]

I'd go for a freestanding woodstove. Sounds big enough to me to get a decent stove in. Would a jotul f45 fit?

A freestanding woodstove would basically be the price of the stove and running a liner up your chimney. Should be Way less than 21K.

Edit; oh..... zc fireplace now so studs, not a brick fireplace behind whats there now. well i'd still be trying for a woodstove maybe even in a different location or in front of the current fireplace?

 

[begreen]

I’m pretty handy and confident in my ability to rip out the old unit and put in the steel studs and frame in the new unit. My confidence goes down hill when I start researching stove pipe and liners. I’m assuming I would need to run new stove pipe up the brick chase correct?

Yes, new chimney pipe is likely. The ZC fireplace manual will usually have the chimney requirements, often listing permissible brands. Some have a proprietary brand but many now use standard class A chimney pipe. Some brands of pipe require an adapter to the ZC body, some don't. It's usually not hard to sort this out.

 

[Hoosierfire]

Alrighty. Sat down and did some more cyphering/pricing last night. For sure going with the Valcourt Lafayette II. It will fit in the space with plenty of room on either side and still provide decent warmth. I can buy the unit shipped to my door for $4200 after tax. 6" Duratech Class A chimney pipe 15' worth along with 2 wall straps, an anchor plate, rain cap, and storm collar priced out at $2300. Still need to price out finishing materials and the steel studs. Im envisioning building out a hearth and covering with cement board and brick veneer. Is this something that is commonly done? fireplace would be elevated about 10" off the ground. Also would like opinions on the open air kit for these things. Is it necessary/worth it? As well as the forced air kit. Would really like to have a vent blowing downstairs to heat the living area/bar in the basement . If there's anything in here I'm missing please let me know. Will start buying things separately over the next 3-5 months. probably start tear out around April/May.

 

[begreen]

Sounds like a plan. Post a new thread in the SBI forum on the installation starting with a dimensioned sketch. That will keep the answers more focused on the Valcourt.