New member, stumbled on it searching for answers; although I've been in my single story house for twenty years, I've never used the fireplace. It doesn't draw. Hearth is at floor level, box is 34x34x19dp., 30w at the back, with 8x13 clay tile flue, and at the top, a 7" dia stovepipe about 18" long, is set and mortared over the flue opening.
I'm gonna burn wood this winter for heat, although I realize a open fp isn't going to get it. I would like to achieve a good draft, with no smoke when door closes, no strong smoke odor. This year, to improve the draft, I am installing a 'smoke guard' (5" wide), and building up the hearth two or three courses. A set of fireplace doors will act as the damper when retiring for bed. I had a chimneysweep over to inspect and he said a smaller firebox opening into the house should help the draft problem.
Can you advise on what I need to use this fireplace ? Eventually, I'm gonna find a used insert and heat the house, only 1,000sf.
I really need advise on:
smoke guard size, do they work, improve draft ? If I use thick gauge, will it be an effective heat sink to radiate into the room ?
Is there an ideal firebox opening size for this type description ?
What can I do with what I've got ?
I'm gonna burn wood this winter for heat, although I realize a open fp isn't going to get it. I would like to achieve a good draft, with no smoke when door closes, no strong smoke odor. This year, to improve the draft, I am installing a 'smoke guard' (5" wide), and building up the hearth two or three courses. A set of fireplace doors will act as the damper when retiring for bed. I had a chimneysweep over to inspect and he said a smaller firebox opening into the house should help the draft problem.
Can you advise on what I need to use this fireplace ? Eventually, I'm gonna find a used insert and heat the house, only 1,000sf.
I really need advise on:
smoke guard size, do they work, improve draft ? If I use thick gauge, will it be an effective heat sink to radiate into the room ?
Is there an ideal firebox opening size for this type description ?
What can I do with what I've got ?