I am looking at an insert for a large fireplace (44"WX30"H) for a home I am purchasing and was wondering how hard is an install for a guy who does plenty of DYI chores (from car work to plumbing, electrical - even building an aluminum aircraft, so have metal working skills and tools). I am debating between a couple models, mainly the QuadraFire Voyageur or the Napoleon 1402. Local quotes installed are $4200 and $3550 respectively. I like the former a little more due to the flat design, as I want this insert recessed a little due to the nice arched entry that is complimented by an arched wood storage alcove a few feet over (the masonry is 10 feet wide and goes up two stories in the center of the home).
A chimney inspection on the new home shows cracked flue tile (14 inch flue pipe, about all barrel sections cracked, maybe 1/8 inch max). More specifics - home is a Colorado style with a 2 story great room, 1600 sq feet main floor, and an upstairs of 800 sq feet that has a den off the master with a loft overlooking the great room - plenty of heat will go up there! Chimney probably 20-25 feet, interior, 10 feet wide by 4 feet, hearth another 2 feet.
So, my understanding is that a 6 inch flue pipe (SS, flex), likely needing to be lined, needs to be fed in from above after removing the arrestor, cap, etc. It gets secured from above with a reducing plate, then attached to the insert below via a clamp. Will need to wrap the pipe and cover with SS mesh first, I imagine. DO I also need to make a plate at the smoke box/flue junction? Anyway, any thoughts from folks who have done their own installs appreciated.
Thanks,
Carl
A chimney inspection on the new home shows cracked flue tile (14 inch flue pipe, about all barrel sections cracked, maybe 1/8 inch max). More specifics - home is a Colorado style with a 2 story great room, 1600 sq feet main floor, and an upstairs of 800 sq feet that has a den off the master with a loft overlooking the great room - plenty of heat will go up there! Chimney probably 20-25 feet, interior, 10 feet wide by 4 feet, hearth another 2 feet.
So, my understanding is that a 6 inch flue pipe (SS, flex), likely needing to be lined, needs to be fed in from above after removing the arrestor, cap, etc. It gets secured from above with a reducing plate, then attached to the insert below via a clamp. Will need to wrap the pipe and cover with SS mesh first, I imagine. DO I also need to make a plate at the smoke box/flue junction? Anyway, any thoughts from folks who have done their own installs appreciated.
Thanks,
Carl