looking for insert, Fireplace is too large

[smitty79]

Hello all,
Before I start, I need to say that a free standing stove is not an option.

I am trying to look for an insert (woodburning) that not only fits, but look nice in our large (36" high) arched, flagstone, fireplace. I can't even find anyone to do a custom install. PLEASE HELP. I don't really care what it looks like, but my wife doesn't want something that will take away from the beautiful floor to ceiling flagstone. I cannot find an insert surround that will cover my fireplace without looking like a huge, square piece of sheet metal. Idealy, we would like to find (or make) something that that has an arched surround to match the arched fireplace.

Thanks, Ryan

 

[VCBurner]

Hello all,
Before I start, I need to say that a free standing stove is not an option.

I am trying to look for an insert (woodburning) that not only fits, but look nice in our large (36" high) arched, flagstone, fireplace. I can't even find anyone to do a custom install. PLEASE HELP. I don't really care what it looks like, but my wife doesn't want something that will take away from the beautiful floor to ceiling flagstone. I cannot find an insert surround that will cover my fireplace without looking like a huge, square piece of sheet metal. Idealy, we would like to find (or make) something that that has an arched surround to match the arched fireplace.

Thanks, Ryan

Welcome Smitty. Maybe find someone who does architectural sheetmetal to do a custom surround for you.
Can you post pics of your fireplace? Have you thought of any designs that may compliment your fireplace and decor?
http://www.thomasnet.com/heading.ht...ire&heading=96161971&searchpos=3&cid=20077029

 

[kingquad]

You need to find a place that has a water jet. Call your local fab shops. They probably won't have one, but they will be able to direct you to somebody who does.

 

[smitty79]

here's a pic. Yeah, I figured I would have to have something specially made, but will it fit to the stove properly?

 

[begreen]

Oversized surrounds are available for several inserts. The question is do you want to maintain the arch or will a rectangular surround that covers it work? If you want to maintain the arch, then a custom fabricated surround could be the best solution. As always, pictures help.

 

[BrowningBAR]

With a 36" high opening, why not stick a free standing stove in there? That way none of the stone is hidden behind a surround and free standing stoves offer you more heating flexibility than an insert.

And based on the photo you just posted, a free standing stove would easily fit. It looks like you have a generous hearth as well. How big is the house?

 

[Chettt]

Why is a free standing stove not an option? It will look better, heat better, will be quieter(no blower), will work without power etc. Put a nice looking Jotul or some other free stander in there and not worry about an ugly surround.

 

[daveswoodhauler]

Why is a free standing stove not an option? It will look better, heat better, will be quieter(no blower), will work without power etc. Put a nice looking Jotul or some other free stander in there and not worry about an ugly surround.

+ 10 on putting a stove on the Hearth. You can keep all the nice stone work, and looks like you have plenty of Hearth (18") that would be ok for the front of the stove.

 

[smitty79]

I know the stove is the best option. It's a long story, but it's not an option.
The house is about 2500 sq feet. As you can see in the pic, we have a cathedral ceiling in that room, so I'm going to have to put some ceiling fans in there to move the heat around. The hearth is actually quite large, atleast 36" at the top of the semi-circle.

 

[BrowningBAR]

I know the stove is the best option. It's a long story, but it's not an option.

Could you give us the short version so we know why? Kind of helps with creating solutions.

 

[smitty79]

I know the stove is the best option. It's a long story, but it's not an option.

Could you give us the short version so we know why? Kind of helps with creating solutions.

My wife doesn't want one.

 

[daveswoodhauler]

A lot of the oversized surrounds come in sections....I think mine is like 3 pieces.....you will probably have to have something custom made, but you might be able to get by with purchasing a standard surround, and perhaps just having the top piece fabricated.

 

[smitty79]

A lot of the oversized surrounds come in sections....I think mine is like 3 pieces.....you will probably have to have something custom made, but you might be able to get by with purchasing a standard surround, and perhaps just having the top piece fabricated.

We were lookin gat the Napoleon 1402, and Napoleon agreed to make a surround large enough to cover the opening, but it would be square. Do you think I could cut it with something to make it fit just inside the arch?

I have never had an insert before, so don't really know "exactly" how they fit inside the fireplace.

 

[daveswoodhauler]

Also, where abouts in NH are you? I know that there are a lot of members here in NH, and they might be able to recommend a metal fab shop for the surround.

 

[BrowningBAR]

I know the stove is the best option. It's a long story, but it's not an option.

Could you give us the short version so we know why? Kind of helps with creating solutions.

My wife doesn't want one.

I've taken my wife's voting rights away when it comes to stove related items after a few poor choices early on. It's really worked out better this way. She's warmer as well.

 

[smitty79]

Also, where abouts in NH are you? I know that there are a lot of members here in NH, and they might be able to recommend a metal fab shop for the surround.

I live in Bedford, just SW of Manchester.

 

[smitty79]

I know the stove is the best option. It's a long story, but it's not an option.

Could you give us the short version so we know why? Kind of helps with creating solutions.

My wife doesn't want one.

I've taken my wife's voting rights away when it comes to stove related items after a few poor choices early on. It's really worked out better this way. She's warmer as well.

That's great, but it doesn't help my situation. Like I said, it's a long story.

 

[BrowningBAR]

A lot of the oversized surrounds come in sections....I think mine is like 3 pieces.....you will probably have to have something custom made, but you might be able to get by with purchasing a standard surround, and perhaps just having the top piece fabricated.

We were lookin gat the Napoleon 1402, and Napoleon agreed to make a surround large enough to cover the opening, but it would be square. Do you think I could cut it with something to make it fit just inside the arch?

I have never had an insert before, so don't really know "exactly" how they fit inside the fireplace.

Clearly it seems that visual appearance is a priority and you are willing to spend extra to maintain a certain look. Based on that I am pointing you in this direction:

44 Elite Wood Fireplace
http://www.fireplacex.com/ProductGuide/ProductDetail.aspx?modelsku=98500113#Specs

36 Elite Wood Fireplace
http://www.fireplacex.com/ProductGuide/ProductDetail.aspx?modelsku=98500104#Specs

Stratton Wood Burning Fireplace
(broken link removed to http://vermontcastings.com/family/Fireplaces/Wood-Burning/Stratton/)

 

[VCBurner]

I would also go with a freestanding stove. There are so many to chose from that it is hard to believe someone wouldn't be able to find one they like. They heat better and are a heck of a lot easier to maintain. Trying to heat that huge room with any stove will be difficult. Square footage specs usually go for around 7-8 foot ceilings. With the tall ceilings you have it makes all the heat get trapped up there. Sounds like you may have a tough choice ahead. Whatever you end up with I would recommend going with the biggest stove possible. NH gets cold, colder than most stove manuals would consider average. I'm only a few minutes south of Rindge.

Good luck!
Chris

BTW that is a beautiful room, have fun with the search

 

[Blue Vomit]

I know the stove is the best option. It's a long story, but it's not an option.

Could you give us the short version so we know why? Kind of helps with creating solutions.

My wife doesn't want one.

I've taken my wife's voting rights away when it comes to stove related items after a few poor choices early on. It's really worked out better this way. She's warmer as well.

That's great, but it doesn't help my situation. Like I said, it's a long story.

Smitty,
First welcome. Second, I love your short version answer and can relate. I'm not going to pry but I will give you a suggestion. With the hundreds of different models and styles of stoves on the market and many different safety devices available for protection would it be worth it to try and change the wife's mind? Most would agree a freestanding stove would look great there and there are litterally hundreds of options out there for her to choose from. I would hate to see you pass up a great free standing stove because of a misconception, or myth, or something that can be explained properly.
If it is something else and is beyond discussion I respect that and good luck.
I'm sure others here will have great suggestions for you.

 

[begreen]

Have to agree that without a doubt I would be putting in a large, freestanding stove there. But if she won't go for it, let's talk inserts. That is a beautiful setting for one. A good stove shop will work with you. They should be used to working with custom surrounds. For an insert in this big room I'd opt for a 3 cu ft model if the goal is heating. However, if the goal is more ambiance, the 1402 would work.

But before we go further, do you have a closer view of just the hearth and fireplace opening? Also, is this a prefab or completely masonry fireplace?

 

[FPX Dude]

Smitty, don't give up, follow the advice of the experts here, keep searching for what you're looking for. Spend some time in the pictures forum for other ideas, sometimes you will run across something and go "huh, I din't know you could do that" and it'll totally change yours and her thinking...and yah, post a bigger pic.

 

[DexterDay]

Have you let her read the thread?? On all the input for a freestanding unit??

Welcome to the Forums... Not only will a freestanding heat better, bigger firebox, etc. But it will also allow you to not put up a surround and let you see that beautiful arch. You must install a block-off plate, but your fireplace will look untouched and you will have bigger stove that will heat the room/house much better...

If you go with an insert. The bigger the box. The more wood you can fit, the hotter and longer the fire burns...

Again. Welcome. Maybe let her read your thread?? Just a thought. My wife thought that spending $4,000 on our Quad pellet stove 3 yrs ago was crazy. But we were spending almost $4,000 a year on LP. Stove paid for itself the 1st year basically. We have not used the LP furnace since..

 

[cmonSTART]

Arched fireplaces are tough! If you want something which will fit your fireplace perfectly it will likely have to be made by a customer sheet metal fabricator. Short of that, custom filller panels can be made to fill in the arched portion. They don't look as seamless, but they do the job.

 

[smitty79]

I talked the wife into a wood stove. Now to find one that we like. We like the Hearthstone Heritage, but I'm open to any ideas....I like the heritage because I saw one that basically "matches" the stone on the fireplace. Do I need a blower with the stove? I'm pretty handy, Is it fairly easy to install myself? Thaks for all your help.