Fireplace recommendation - Eze Breeze screened porch - New construction

[ewang]

Hi everyone,

I’m experienced in burning wood, as I installed a Quadrafire 5100i seven years ago in our living room and it’s done well.

We’re planning a screened in porch, using the Eze Breeze window systems, which from what I’ve read, enable you to have a water tight porch, as well as blocking the majority of wind and snow.

I’d like to incorporate a wood fireplace that can be built into a hearth. The porch will be on concrete and the dimensions are roughly 14’x25’. I’d like a fireplace with a blower to help distribute heat.

What should I steer myself towards? Cat vs non-cat? Any specific models to look towards?

Thanks!

 

[Murray01]

Budget?

 

[Whitenuckler]

Are you thinking of a zero clearance fireplace, or do you picture a masonry fireplace using an insert?

 

[ewang]

No hard budget constraints (for now) looking for options.

@Whitenuckler I put a wood insert in my 1970’s masonry fireplace. Is that also a new construction practice?

 

[begreen]

There are several brands of Zero Clearance fireplaces. Majestic is a common one. If the desire is for higher efficiency and heating, then RSF, FPX, Pacific Energy, Valcourt, etc. make good ones. Note that a ZC fireplace is not the same as a wood burning insert, that installs into an existing masonry, wood-burning fireplace.

 

[Whitenuckler]

No hard budget constraints (for now) looking for options.

@Whitenuckler I put a wood insert in my 1970’s masonry fireplace. Is that also a new construction practice?

It is possible to build a masonry fireplace, however most of those were built a long time ago for the actual house. You would be looking at a zero clearance insert to get the best flame and fireplace look. The other option is a wood stove. Then you would not need to build a fireplace to put the ZC insert in. There is a big difference is how they look, so I believe you are going for a full fireplace look like your 1970's fireplace. It's a great project, and will make that porch really nice. At 14 x 25 you certainly have room. Keep us up to date, and begreen is the man to help you out.

 

[4x4prepper]

When building your screened in porch, run the wires every 6 feet and through the rafter or roof support and do the drop in the middle to a fan box which can be used for a light or fan later. It looks a lot cleaner then stapling romex under rafters and down them after the fact. The wires being in an enclosed space, which is wood, there are some considerations.

If you want the wire inside conduit, you can always do the metal and wire work first (router vs. drill) and then nail (not screw) (2) 2x8s together. Which would give you a reach of at least 8 feet without support.

I had an acquaintance/customer that had a enclosed screen porch with the old style glass panels that worked like shutters. She used a free standing black wood stove with a glass door and she used it to heat a good portion of her house just by convection since the heat would travel up the 2nd floor staircase right by the porch door. Plus, she had a fireplace.

So, putting the stove fairly close to the porch door would not be a bad idea. If she had to do it over, I think she would have made provisions to move the wood directly into the sun room/porch instead of having to carry it up 4-5 stairs and through a doorway. Being able just to roll a barrel into the room would work from a platform/walkway/ramp.

She used the room a lot in the mornings just to go sit by the fire while having a cup of coffee or tea in the morning before starting her day (school teacher).