Building a new home in the Canadian Rockies. Natural gas is cheap here, so a lot of people use that for ambiance. We will be heating our home with radiant floor heating and are considering a good sized solar install and trying to use as many electrical element as possible (possibly boiler, stove, etc). So, if we go with solar, then I would strongly consider wood heating (again).
In our last place, we had installed a Heat n Glo Northstar EPA certified fireplace and heated for 6 months a year in Seattle. I liked the look, generally, but hated the depth of the logs allowed (14") and always felt like it was half as efficient in terms of energy produced per unit of wood burned. Hence, I've always dreamed of a BK.
In recent talks with my wife, she's not super keen on the idea of a stove, though I think she's picturing old glass-less models. I think were we to do a stove, it would need to be alcove style to fit in the room and not protrude out too much. I haven't looked much, but this style doesn't immediately appeal to me.
So, my questions:
1. Is a BK + alcove install a good idea, or do they always look ugly?
2. Would it be better to just frame out a box to install a BK insert and then kind of get some of the benefits of a BK, while still having a semi traditional look?
3. Or, is there a new fireplace out there that can reasonably compete with a BK and looks better given that it can achieve a built-in look with hearth and mantel and all that?
I realize most of you with BKs think it's the best look in the world and would never trade it for anything. I think our style is more the classic fireplace look (EPA style with glass doors).
And, since we're burning for ambiance, not real heating needs, the BK might be overkill. I suppose there is a situation where we'd lose power/NG for a few days that would create a real need to rely on the wood heating. That being said, I no longer have a trailer and don't really want to go off collecting cords of wood each year anymore.
(lots of conflicts, I know)
In our last place, we had installed a Heat n Glo Northstar EPA certified fireplace and heated for 6 months a year in Seattle. I liked the look, generally, but hated the depth of the logs allowed (14") and always felt like it was half as efficient in terms of energy produced per unit of wood burned. Hence, I've always dreamed of a BK.
In recent talks with my wife, she's not super keen on the idea of a stove, though I think she's picturing old glass-less models. I think were we to do a stove, it would need to be alcove style to fit in the room and not protrude out too much. I haven't looked much, but this style doesn't immediately appeal to me.
So, my questions:
1. Is a BK + alcove install a good idea, or do they always look ugly?
2. Would it be better to just frame out a box to install a BK insert and then kind of get some of the benefits of a BK, while still having a semi traditional look?
3. Or, is there a new fireplace out there that can reasonably compete with a BK and looks better given that it can achieve a built-in look with hearth and mantel and all that?
I realize most of you with BKs think it's the best look in the world and would never trade it for anything. I think our style is more the classic fireplace look (EPA style with glass doors).
And, since we're burning for ambiance, not real heating needs, the BK might be overkill. I suppose there is a situation where we'd lose power/NG for a few days that would create a real need to rely on the wood heating. That being said, I no longer have a trailer and don't really want to go off collecting cords of wood each year anymore.
(lots of conflicts, I know)
![[Hearth.com] New Build - Considering EPA Fireplace or Blazeking](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/282/282599-e52706144ac191bbb6b5877a38a37e52.jpg?hash=KuXgE2upF- "[Hearth.com] New Build - Considering EPA Fireplace or Blazeking")
