Need some help

[Dafreak]

Ok, so I have my mind set on a wood stove, insert or zero clearance fireplace. Without the finished basement my house is a traditional colonial with about 1200 square feet on both the main and second story levels. I have two fireplaces on the main level, one a tall and thin masonry and the other housing an older, inefficient zero clearance. The masonry is located on the kitchen and the zero clearance in the living room. For obvious reasons I would like to replace the one on the living room, however I understand that this might not easily be possible. Below are some rough dimensions that I can work with, any recommendations anyone might have would be much appreciated.

Kitchen Fireplace
Width - 32"
Height - 39"
Depth - 36"
Hearth to mantle - 45 1/2"

I could probably increase the width of the kitchen's opening by 12" by removing the decorative tile. The height could be increased to 6" by doing the same.

Living Room Fireplace
Brass surround width - 46"
Brass surround height - 39 1/2"
Firebox depth - 20"
Hearth to mantle - 42 1/2"

Getting this to work might be a bigger $$ job then I am willing to pay? If i pulled the old fireplace out I imagine there would be some reframing, etc. that would nee to be done?

Any suggestions/thoughts or questions is much appreciated.

 

[Jags]

Are these true "fireplaces"? Masonry surrounds and flue? What era? Ya gotta be careful with the clearance to combustibles. Depending on how these things are built, you will have several different options.

 

[Dafreak]

Jags, yes, I use both fireplaces. The fireplace in the kitchen has a flu and is completely operational. It was built in the 1960's. There is a larger operational fireplace under it in the basement as well. The fireplace in the living room was an addition, I believe added in the 1980's. It is not a masonry fireplace, it is an insert/zero clearance with an elaborate build out.

 

[Jags]

Cool. Just looking for some clarification. Some other really smart people will be along to help with the insert q's. I am a stove guy and really don't follow the insert stuff too much.

 

[Dafreak]

Jags, thanks again. One of the questions I had was if it would be possible to put a stove completely into the masonry fireplace? Would that restrict its heating capability throughout the house?

 

[Jags]

Any stove that will be slid completely in will probably need a fan. It is not uncommon to see them installed that way, but it is recommended that an insulated blockoff plate be installed in the mouth of the flu.

Without a fan on the stove, it will be a fight to get the heat out.

 

[Jags]

Have you considered inserts? Basically designed for what you are asking about. The only concerns is whether or not the construction of the fireplace is adequate for an insert.

 

[Dafreak]

I believe the construction of the masonry fireplace to to be more then adequate. However, if I were considering an insert or zero clearance I would want to put it in the other room. I guess what this all boils down to is can I get a zero clearance fireplace installed at an affordable cost (under 4K) in the living room. And, if so, what fireplace brand and model will fit into the space of the current fireplace that is currently there?

 

[BrowningBAR]

The Kitchen fireplace would be the easiest to put in a free standing stove. I think a Fireview would look particularly good in that location. It rear vents and the height would work. Might need more hearth space to use the side loading though. Not sure.

I would recommend not having a freestanding stove sit completely inside a fireplace. Heat movement becomes restricted and you lose some of the stoves heating capacity.

Can't help you with the living room fireplace. I have no experience with that style of fireplace and do not know what is involved to get an insert or stove to be safely installed into one.

 

[Ashful]

Beautiful tilework, for what it's worth.

 

[Dafreak]

I received an email back from my local dealer. He is saying I could put almost any insert into the kitchen and thinks he could get a BIS Nova into the living room without removing title or mantel. Does anyone have any info on the Nova, price, efficiency, etc?

 

[Dafreak]

Quote for the BIS Nova is $4700, that includes tear out and new install. It does not include the Cast surround kit which would add 1K. Does this sound reasonable?

 

[begreen]

I would not put an insert in the kitchen. It would mess with the nice tile aesthetics. There's plenty of room to put a good looking, freestanding stove of your choice in there.

In the living room, the 60's contemporary look with the current tile and fireplace looks incongruous with a classic colonial. With the modrn fireplace, classic mantel and veined marble hearth, it's a hodgepodge of styles. BIS makes good fireplaces. Perhaps consider refacing the tile for a more classic look with the BIS Tradition CE? I might replace the mantel too to visually tie things together better.

 

[Dafreak]

I have been told the only thing I can put in the living room is the zero clearance BIS Nova (without drastic changes). I would add the cast surround to it to give it a more traditional look. The other option that has crossed my mind is pulling out the fireplace completely and putting in a wood stove.

 

[begreen]

Could be the dealer is facing depth constraints. The Tradition CE is 2" deeper.

 

[Dafreak]

Is that the only difference between it and the BIS Nova? He seemed more concerned with the hearth to mantel height requirements, which is 42 1/2" for the living room.

 

[begreen]

Maybe. He's on site with the measuring tape.