Hi! This is my first post here. Reading articles and some other posts has been a help. But I am feeling lost and stuck as to trying to figure out what to get and how to get it to come together as a working system.
The more I can find a solution that is doable as to getting the unit, getting it installed, using it safely and easily, and so on, the better.
I am living in an old approx. 1930's bungalow house with an old cast iron what I think would be called insert (it is part in and part protrudes from the fireplace with metal sheets blocking off around it) in a fireplace. The chimney is not okay, needs a liner, and the old insert thing also needs to be replaced. I am afraid to use the unit as is, but very much want wood burning heat back up for when electric goes out as it does nearly every winter, and also probably more often for the ambience once I had it. It also needs things like caps to keep birds out and spark arrestors. I am not sure if there is anything else needed???
Apparently the chimney is too small for a regular stove pipe and would need an oval--I do not really understand what that means beyond the words. Also insulation, would I guess be a good idea, but I am not sure what that entails...filling perlite or something like that into the old chimney around a steel flue liner was suggested. It also needs the mortar repointed, and while I do understand what that means, finding someone who can do it is something that I have so far not managed.
This morning I got the website www.nficertified.org. I am going to be looking for certified installers in my area. Any suggestions as to questions to ask and so on, in order to find someone good would be appreciated. Or any other leads on how to find a good installer and how to work with them?
My son and I have allergy-like issues and are sensitive to outgassing, so something that does not create smoking paint or smoke into the room, fumes, odors, etc., would be very important. Also a unit that allowed at least some water to be heated on top, or a stew to cook would be very helpful when we lose power, so that something that comes at least part way out into room would be helpful, or else something freestanding that vents into chimney... or even something that doesn't involve the old chimney area at all--though the way the house is set up how/where to do that is not obvious.
I am thinking that maybe something with soapstone would be good for us. If so, the two companies I have identified are Hearthstone and Woodstock. Are there others? Or other suggestions you might have?
I think Hearthstone where there is a dealer in the nearest city might be far easier than Woodstock (and also I think the Hearthstone Hearthmount would fit the space we have probably), but reading on the ratings here, there was a one star rating for the Hearthstone and expression of great dissatisfaction with the local dealer/installer, which gives me pause. I have read that some people have also had problems with the ash pan and the door not fitting well or hardware that is flimsy or something along those lines. ????
I also saw a Lopi Revere which looked like it could fit and give cooking spot in an emergency, but I thought maybe the longer radiant heat from soapstone could be better, and also not having as much painted metal area to smoke since I was told that they often smoke when new. Though I do not know for sure.
The opening of the old fireplace as best I can tell behind the metal is a bit short of 29" tall, and 34 or 35" wide.
When I put in a tape measure it only goes in 14" from the brick front, but I am not sure if the metal was put forward from where the real back is. The existing hearth area has what I believe is concrete coming out 18" from the brick edge (less from the front of the old insert), plus a line of 8" tile in front of that, flush with a wood floor.
A wooden mantle starts 50" above the floor, with wooden side edges out 34" from the center point of the fireplace. The brick is painted, but I presume red brick under the paint on the inside. Outside the house the fireplace and chimney masonery is, I believe, a concrete block that was formed so that it looks like stone ("ashlar"?) on the outer surface. It is not in great shape. The chimney looks like it would only be 8" deep at deepest, but I think it could be smaller than that for the sweep to have told me it is too small for a round steel liner. Alas, I did not get actual dimensions recorded. No cold air seems to pour in from the old fireplace area, so I am thinking maybe someone stuck fiberglass up there when they put in the insert or something along those lines.
The house is 2 stories plus a basement, and I'd be wanting the stove on the main (first) floor (at least I think that would be best for heating, enjoyment, not having to carry wood/ash so far and also for good draft reasons. If, however, the existing fireplace/chimney cannot be used, the only place that gives a largish space to perhaps site a completely freestanding wood stove would likely be in the upstairs, or perhaps down in the basement.
I live in Western Oregon where it tends to be wet/damp for a lot of the year, with extremely cold/freezing less often (though electric often goes out when it is freezing and icy). The house is not insulated. Rooms are small, but there is an opening from the living room to dining room, and a hole was cut into the ceiling up to the bedrooms to allow hot air to flow up (at least to some degree). The household includes myself, my rather rambunctious 12 year old adoptive son, and dog, cat, so also, things that are not too delicate or that would require a strong adult man to manage it are plusses. We have a lot of Douglas fir and maple trees that tend to lose branches or more during storms and being able to use those (once seasoned) would be ideal. Would a branch that has been cut into suitable lengths be okay?
I am sorry this was so long. Any help would be tremendously appreciated!
The more I can find a solution that is doable as to getting the unit, getting it installed, using it safely and easily, and so on, the better.
I am living in an old approx. 1930's bungalow house with an old cast iron what I think would be called insert (it is part in and part protrudes from the fireplace with metal sheets blocking off around it) in a fireplace. The chimney is not okay, needs a liner, and the old insert thing also needs to be replaced. I am afraid to use the unit as is, but very much want wood burning heat back up for when electric goes out as it does nearly every winter, and also probably more often for the ambience once I had it. It also needs things like caps to keep birds out and spark arrestors. I am not sure if there is anything else needed???
Apparently the chimney is too small for a regular stove pipe and would need an oval--I do not really understand what that means beyond the words. Also insulation, would I guess be a good idea, but I am not sure what that entails...filling perlite or something like that into the old chimney around a steel flue liner was suggested. It also needs the mortar repointed, and while I do understand what that means, finding someone who can do it is something that I have so far not managed.
This morning I got the website www.nficertified.org. I am going to be looking for certified installers in my area. Any suggestions as to questions to ask and so on, in order to find someone good would be appreciated. Or any other leads on how to find a good installer and how to work with them?
My son and I have allergy-like issues and are sensitive to outgassing, so something that does not create smoking paint or smoke into the room, fumes, odors, etc., would be very important. Also a unit that allowed at least some water to be heated on top, or a stew to cook would be very helpful when we lose power, so that something that comes at least part way out into room would be helpful, or else something freestanding that vents into chimney... or even something that doesn't involve the old chimney area at all--though the way the house is set up how/where to do that is not obvious.
I am thinking that maybe something with soapstone would be good for us. If so, the two companies I have identified are Hearthstone and Woodstock. Are there others? Or other suggestions you might have?
I think Hearthstone where there is a dealer in the nearest city might be far easier than Woodstock (and also I think the Hearthstone Hearthmount would fit the space we have probably), but reading on the ratings here, there was a one star rating for the Hearthstone and expression of great dissatisfaction with the local dealer/installer, which gives me pause. I have read that some people have also had problems with the ash pan and the door not fitting well or hardware that is flimsy or something along those lines. ????
I also saw a Lopi Revere which looked like it could fit and give cooking spot in an emergency, but I thought maybe the longer radiant heat from soapstone could be better, and also not having as much painted metal area to smoke since I was told that they often smoke when new. Though I do not know for sure.
The opening of the old fireplace as best I can tell behind the metal is a bit short of 29" tall, and 34 or 35" wide.
When I put in a tape measure it only goes in 14" from the brick front, but I am not sure if the metal was put forward from where the real back is. The existing hearth area has what I believe is concrete coming out 18" from the brick edge (less from the front of the old insert), plus a line of 8" tile in front of that, flush with a wood floor.
A wooden mantle starts 50" above the floor, with wooden side edges out 34" from the center point of the fireplace. The brick is painted, but I presume red brick under the paint on the inside. Outside the house the fireplace and chimney masonery is, I believe, a concrete block that was formed so that it looks like stone ("ashlar"?) on the outer surface. It is not in great shape. The chimney looks like it would only be 8" deep at deepest, but I think it could be smaller than that for the sweep to have told me it is too small for a round steel liner. Alas, I did not get actual dimensions recorded. No cold air seems to pour in from the old fireplace area, so I am thinking maybe someone stuck fiberglass up there when they put in the insert or something along those lines.
The house is 2 stories plus a basement, and I'd be wanting the stove on the main (first) floor (at least I think that would be best for heating, enjoyment, not having to carry wood/ash so far and also for good draft reasons. If, however, the existing fireplace/chimney cannot be used, the only place that gives a largish space to perhaps site a completely freestanding wood stove would likely be in the upstairs, or perhaps down in the basement.
I live in Western Oregon where it tends to be wet/damp for a lot of the year, with extremely cold/freezing less often (though electric often goes out when it is freezing and icy). The house is not insulated. Rooms are small, but there is an opening from the living room to dining room, and a hole was cut into the ceiling up to the bedrooms to allow hot air to flow up (at least to some degree). The household includes myself, my rather rambunctious 12 year old adoptive son, and dog, cat, so also, things that are not too delicate or that would require a strong adult man to manage it are plusses. We have a lot of Douglas fir and maple trees that tend to lose branches or more during storms and being able to use those (once seasoned) would be ideal. Would a branch that has been cut into suitable lengths be okay?
I am sorry this was so long. Any help would be tremendously appreciated!
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