A newbie, but I have decided to with the Englander 13-NCI from Home Depot($1350) in my masonry fireplace. Is it practical for the average homeowner to install? I was suprised to find out I still need a liner. Is a block off plate really necessary? I want to do it right but keep cost down,as much as possible. Any advice would be appreciated.Thanks.
Fireplace insert installation
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You certainly can install a woodstove yourself with some help. I was fortunate to have my Dad and Brother help me out last February (of course it was the coldest day in a long time!) and we did it in a day. I actually did the installation prep work over the week prior to picking up the stove. I spoke with one of the installers where I bought our stove and he gave me some great tips on modifying my old masonary firebox and smoke chamber to accomodate the liner. It took me an evening to remove some firebrick and the back edge of my old damper plate and another afternoon to get the liner pushed down through the chimney.
Speaking of the liner, I had great success finding exactly what I needed from Chimney Liner Depot on the web. The man I worked with is the one who posts liners on ebay and he was excellent to work with. I read a lot about liners on this web site and feel like my installation was improved from the knowledge garnished here.
I went ahead and did a "soft block plate" made from the same material I insulated the top of my chimney with. I think it is called Durablanket but there are several types of this same material made for high temp insulation.
Here is the link to photos from my installation:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/36144/
I think the toughest part of the job was cutting the panels around the stove that go up against the chimney. Again, check with your local dealer/installer for some good tips.
Speaking of the liner, I had great success finding exactly what I needed from Chimney Liner Depot on the web. The man I worked with is the one who posts liners on ebay and he was excellent to work with. I read a lot about liners on this web site and feel like my installation was improved from the knowledge garnished here.
I went ahead and did a "soft block plate" made from the same material I insulated the top of my chimney with. I think it is called Durablanket but there are several types of this same material made for high temp insulation.
Here is the link to photos from my installation:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/36144/
I think the toughest part of the job was cutting the panels around the stove that go up against the chimney. Again, check with your local dealer/installer for some good tips.
To do it right you should have a full liner to the top with an insulation wrap on it. Top plate sealed down to the chimney and a cap.
To do it the cheapest way possible but still legal you can run a stubby liner just above the smoke shelf and put in a block off plate at the smoke shelf to seal the chimney off from the house.
Check the manual for the insert you go to see what install options its tested for, not sure if they even allow the stubby liner for that unit or not.
To do it the cheapest way possible but still legal you can run a stubby liner just above the smoke shelf and put in a block off plate at the smoke shelf to seal the chimney off from the house.
Check the manual for the insert you go to see what install options its tested for, not sure if they even allow the stubby liner for that unit or not.
I would not worry about that warranty....it is plenty long!
Long warranties are often sales gimmicks and cover almost nothing and are prorated.
Anything three years or up is plenty good.....
Long warranties are often sales gimmicks and cover almost nothing and are prorated.
Anything three years or up is plenty good.....
Don Ed said:
Don Ed, I really enjoyed your "play-by-play" photos. It looks like you did not insulate your liner. Any regrets with only using the "soft block plate?" I have an Avalon Olympic coming in a week or so and will be installing myself. I'm tempted to do the same thing, but don't want to regret it in a few months.
Thanks
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