I currently have a brick fireplace that I have a wood insert (Quad 2700I) in. Long story short I have done some remodeling to the house and this insert is no longer cutting it for several reasons. I want to get a standing wood stove and run it from my fireplace. I would be removing the raised hearth and leveling it with the floor (including inside the fireplace itself) . However I have a 36 inch wide opening for my fireplace. I am looking at a Lopi Liberty. This particular stove calls for an alcove minimum opening of 42 inches. I would want the stove to be sitting out from the fireplace into the room as much as possible. However, I have been reading online as well as this forum and seem to be getting conflicting information on whether a "real" fireplace and chimney is actually an alcove or not. I would hate to have to open it another three inches on each side if I didn't have to. In addition, some stoves require a crazy opening height (ex. 6+ feet) for an alcove installation. It seems silly to me that I would have to open it up (which I can't) that high. I have attached some pics for reference. My mantel would be non-combustible FYI.
