stove for two sided fire place

[DoGood]

I'm looking for some advice on using my existing fire place to heat my living room. For efficiencey and safety I know I need to make some changes to my setup. After doing a little research I know that I have some issues to address.

I have a seemingly endless supply of oak wood on my property, that I cut and split. The past years I have used this in my other fire place with insert to heat my den area. This year we have started using the living room as our main area and I need a cheaper way to heat it (currently have oil fed base board radiant heat).

The area I am trying to heat (or at least supplement the base board heat) is 550 sq.ft.
I have my chimneys cleaned and inspected on a regular basis. I'm pretty sure this one is in good condition but I'll make sure when he comes this year. Plus he will be installing what ever I decide to put it. As far as I know this fire place has never been used. The house was built in the early 60's and has always been in the family.

Attached are a couple pictures of the fire place. The fire place dimensions are 48"W x 26.5"T x 24"D. The front and right side are open. The back and right side are steel with what looks like insulation peaking out the edges. The chimney is brick and is on an exterior wall. When this was built I'm sure it was meant to be used given that it has an ash dump door on the bottom.

overall view

image by patrickrohlich, on Flickr


image by patrickrohlich, on Flickr

Looking up (this is a little different than I would expect, not sure what this set up is called) Not sure wether this will effect a stove hook up.

image by patrickrohlich, on Flickr

As you can see there is a lack of a hearth which is one item that will need to be addressed. After minimal research I think I would like to build a non permanent hearth to put on the floor, over my current hardwood. Seems pretty simple, plywood, cement board, then tile. Am I missing anything? I do not want to cut into my hardwood floor, or do any major construction for this project if at all possible.

At first I wanted to put an inset into the fire place since I am happy with my other insert, even though it is very old and doesn't have glass doors, and my mothers insert is also very nice and effective although small. It seems that there are not any inserts made for two sided corner fire places. My only options would be to brick up one side of the fire place (I hate this idea), or use some type of sheet metal to cover that side (I also don't like that idea).

I then found pgmr's thread here: https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/catalytic-flame-show.42322/
His fire place looks similar to mine, and I am happy with his end result (although it is not wife approved yet). He used a BuckStove Model 80 which seems like it would fit in my fire place.

Are there any other stoves or options I should look into? Suggestions?

Does my hearth extension need to be level with the current hearth or can I up it on the current living room floor? What is the minimum thickness of the hearth extension and material build up?

How will the Flu from the stove connect to my current set up?

Is there anything else I am missing?

Sorry for the long post, just wanted to get as much information out there at one time as possible.

 

[begreen]

That looks like a heatform fireplace, but the heat tubes appear to be blocked off. Normally there would be an intake down low and the hot air supply up high coming off of these tubes. One can be cut out, but it will mean that the fireplace can not be used as a fireplace again. An engraved sign stating this is to be attached to the back of the fireplace. Other than that it should be ok. The hearth extension requirements will depend on the insert you choose, but yes, that can be at the floor level Some stove companies recognize the high fireplace floor height and only call for ember protection below.

 

[DoGood]

Thanks for the reply begreen.

I'm having trouble finding a stove that is short enough to fit in my 26.5" tall fire place. Does anyone have any suggestions for wood stoves that will fit. I'm looking for a flat, or plain looking stove without any intricate designs

 

[begreen]

Some companies make stoves that can be installed as a freestanding stove or as an insert (without the pedestal or legs). Have you looked at Buck inserts or the Kuma Ashwood?

 

[Heatsource]

here is one like that we did over the summer

tons of units will fit in a 26" high opening
you will need to cut out the damper, one tube and some of the back plate to install a chimney liner. professional installation is not a bad idea

second the Kuma Ashwood, that is one heck of a good stove
pictured is the Kuma Aspen, for a smaller 1000sqft space

 

[pgmr]

With the seating area right next to the FP, you might want to consider blocking in the short end. I'm sure a good mason could match the limestone pretty well. The outside of the air jacket on our Buck gets into the low to mid 200's with the fan running. Not hot enough to ignite materials, but hotter than you'd want your skin to touch.

If you are adamantly opposed to blocking the end, you might be ok with putting the stove as far left in the FP as possible, as long as you go with a fully air jacketed model. Though, technically, you will probably still be too close to combustibles.

 

[HotCoals]

The seating area looks great and inviting but it bothers me also.
I would prolly take out the cushions and stack some wood there at the far right side and maybe put my tools towards the stove side.
Love the contemporary look though.

 

[DoGood]

Thanks for the help. I am starting to make some progress on picking out a stove.
As far as the seating goes, I don't think anyone has ever sat there. I will of course remove the closest cushion, under the cushion the bench is slate (so not combustable). Although I hadn't thought of it before, I will probably keep a small pile of wood there since that it the most logical place to put it.

 

[DevilsBrew]

I LOVE that 60s contemporary style with the two sided view. Not sure what you are going to end up with but it is a beautiful fireplace.