Newbie and first post: Questions on stove size, flue install

[Dman7]

Greetings Hearth Room members,

We live just outside Boston and are close to making a decision on a wood stove purchase and install.

We live in a 4500 SF 2 story home. You could call it a 2 story contemporary ranch. It is built on a slab. Insulation is fair to poor in my opinion.

The challenge today is heating the great room, which is 30' long by 27' wide, with an 18' ceiling. Off the great room are two wings, with various living and sleeping areas. You could say the first floor is largely open plan. Really it's the great room, a library off to one side, and a tv room off to the other side, that need the heat. If heat manages to meander to further areas, that's bonus.

Questions

I am looking at very large stoves, cast iron, enameled, in the 80k btu range. Is this the right size? We have trouble heating this room in cold weather, and I'm looking to make it nice and warm.

The house has a flat rubber roof. The plan is to do double wall pipe inside the great room, all the way up, and penetrate the roof. What's your opinion on that? We could also go up to the ceiling, 90 out the side wall, then 90 again and go up, and avoid touching the rubber roof altogether.

I could send a pic of the room if that will help.

Thank you!

 

[firefighterjake]

I suspect that a woodstove would not heat the entire home . . . but you could get one that would heat up the great room. Putting some money into insulating and tightening up the place would also have long term dividends.

 

[Dman7]

And by the way I read all the stickies.

 

[firefighterjake]

And by the way I read all the stickies.

And that right there makes you "Da Man" . . . or at least Dman7. Welcome to the site. I am sure other folks will be along during the course of the day who might have similar set ups to you who can advise on specific size requirements.

Are you married to any particular type of stove -- soapstone, steel, cast iron, etc.?

 

[Dman7]

Thanks FFJ - The Chief of Household Operations likes the look of cast iron, a large viewing window, and is partial to enamel finishes. I may lean toward non catalytic to keep running the stove a little less fussy. Other than that, I just want a brand that is reputable. From what I have learned, it's all about the install.

 

[firefighterjake]

Thanks FFJ - The Chief of Household Operations likes the look of cast iron, a large viewing window, and is partial to enamel finishes. I may lean toward non catalytic to keep running the stove a little less fussy. Other than that, I just want a brand that is reputable. From what I have learned, it's all about the install.

You have learned well in your short time here Grasshopper!

 

[MaintenanceMan]

I would try to maintain a straight chimney if possible. A good roofing contractor shouldn't have trouble with a penetration in a rubber roof. In your situation I'd be looking for the biggest stove I could find (compare firebox volume, not btuh ratings). If your married to enameled cast iron I'd check out the Alderlea T6. Beautiful proven stoves. Jotul should be high on your list of stoves to look at too. I believe Enviro has a nice enamled cast stove also. I would personally consider some of the Hearthstone soapstone and cast iron stoves.