Converting from Wood to DV/LP

[ahrenl]

We're renovating a condo we just purchased which came with a wood stove (electric heat backup) that was improperly installed, and needed some repairs. Additionally there have been many condo fires in the area and the fire marshall and insurance companies are really pushing everyone to convert. Given the association is willing to pay to remove the wood burning unit, we'd need to pay quite a bit to get it working, and we're gutting the place anyway, we need to select a new LP direct vent unit. We already have an LP tank which was routed to the cooking stove (which we're replacing with electric, b/c my wife does the cooking, and that's what she wants).

So. The unit is three levels, evenly split, 1,200sqft in total. The middle level is the ground entrance, and where the unit will be installed. (The top and bottom floors are bedrooms w/ bathrooms, and have individual electric backup). The unit resembles 3 stacked over-sized truck container, 12' wide by 33' long, with open stairs.

I've narrowed it down to four units:
The Madrona http://valorfireplaces.com/products/madrona.php
The Radiance (broken link removed to http://vermontcastings.com/family/Stoves/Direct-Vent/Radiance/)
The Havelock (broken link removed to http://napoleonfireplaces.com/products/gds50-gas-stove/)
The Westport http://enviro.com/products/catalogue/product/?prod=WP

The wife likes the Madrona and the Westport for looks, so it will be a tough sell to pick the other two. Can anyone offer suggestions for one over the others? Is there another unit I should look at?

THANKS!

 

[49er]

We converted from wood to LP a couple of years ago and went with the Jotul Sebago and have been happy with it.
Your wife might like the looks of it also.

 

[ahrenl]

49er - Thanks. I found a thread mentioning the Sebago after posting this. It's funny that the Sebago appears to weigh less than the others? Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[ahrenl]

Went with the Westport cast iron. Nicest looking flames.

 

[DAKSY]

Just a heads up on that unit. With movement the fireback tends to shift position & will cause sooting.
Make sure it is placed exactly in the rear center of the firebox & not off to one side or the other.