Zero clearance retrofit possible?????

[Sircycle]

I have an old zero clearance fireplace that I cut out with hopes that I can put my Osburn 2000 wood burning insert in its place. Enclosure is 2x4 with insulation construction. My local building inspector told me this can't be done but I should check with the manufacturer to be certain. Manufacturer told me that if I modify or cut away any of the zero clearance insert there is no way to put an insert in its place. Does anyone have any knowledge that is different than I have stated? Is it possible to put an insert in a zero clearance enclosure safely and to the approval of local building inspector?

 

[Grisu]

No. Inserts are only approved to go into masonry fireplaces. Some are also approved by their manufacturer to be installed in a zero clearance fireplace. However, the ZC fireplace manufacturer usually does not allow that one and therefore this is kind of a grey area and hotly debated here in the forum. Since you already cut out the prefab, this is a moot point anyway.

My suggestion would be to get rid off the enclosure you have, built a nice hearth and install a freestanding wood stove. The insert probably needs to be sold to someone who has a masonry fireplace.

Btw. Building inspector and manufacturer are the final authorities here. If they not allow that install anything different someone tells you on the internet is wrong.

 

[Sircycle]

Thanks for your input. This is as I suspected. Is there a way to Install a zc from the front of my existing mantel? Without rear access?

 

[Sircycle]

No. Inserts are only approved to go into masonry fireplaces. Some are also approved by their manufacturer to be installed in a zero clearance fireplace. However, the ZC fireplace manufacturer usually does not allow that one and therefore this is kind of a grey area and hotly debated here in the forum. Since you already cut out the prefab, this is a moot point anyway.

My suggestion would be to get rid off the enclosure you have, built a nice hearth and install a freestanding wood stove. The insert probably needs to be sold to someone who has a masonry fireplace.

Btw. Building inspector and manufacturer are the final authorities here. If they not allow that install anything different someone tells you on the internet is wrong.

No. Inserts are only approved to go into masonry fireplaces. Some are also approved by their manufacturer to be installed in a zero clearance fireplace. However, the ZC fireplace manufacturer usually does not allow that one and therefore this is kind of a grey area and hotly debated here in the forum. Since you already cut out the prefab, this is a moot point anyway.

My suggestion would be to get rid off the enclosure you have, built a nice hearth and install a freestanding wood stove. The insert probably needs to be sold to someone who has a masonry fireplace.

Btw. Building inspector and manufacturer are the final authorities here. If they not allow that install anything different someone tells you on the internet is wrong.

Thanks for your input. This is as I suspected. Is there a way to install a zc in my existing mantel from the front side? As opposed to install from the rear which would be more involved and less desirable.

 

[DAKSY]

Thanks for your input. This is as I suspected. Is there a way to install a zc in my existing mantel from the front side? As opposed to install from the rear which would be more involved and less desirable.

Replacing the ZC box from the outside will be involved. The ZC boxes behind the wall ar WAY larger than the opening IN the wall.
Either way you will have to cut away enough material to get the new ZC box in, then replace that material after it's in place.

 

[Walt_85]

Well...I am by no means an expert on the installation of wood stoves, but I will say that I installed an insert in a ZC fireplace last year. What I found is that the insert has to be ZC approved and the ZC manufacturer and ZC model has to be on the approved list for that particular insert, and the metal place with the ZC information must remain affixed to the opening in some manner. All of the clearances and other requirements/specifications of the insert have to be met as well, and you have to do a full insulated liner + surround panels + have a chimney pipe manufacturer produce an adaptor for the top of the stack such that the existing ZC pipe can still be air cooled. That is how I installed my stove with the help and advice of the great folks on this forum. I was able to get enough wood within the 15-20% MC range to augment the heat pump during the week or so of 12-20 degree temps we had down here last year, and the stove worked great and I noticed no problems during burning and only removed a very small amount of creosote when I cleaned the pipe afterwards.

Things to keep in mind about my install: I live in central Alabama, so I don't burn anywhere near as much as you will in CT. I don't live in a city and am not strictly required to follow any code with regards to my install. I had a retired fire marshal friend of mine critique my plan as well as look over the finished job to ensure everything looked ok. I still have a small amount of apprehension regarding my install when I burn, but I think that is a mental hurdle that I'm going through because I'm still new to using a wood stove. I'm still a newb, last year was my first time using a wood stove and I only burnt one fire a day for about 7 days so I'm still getting used having that hot of a fire burning in my house. Finally, if I had the money I definitely would have done what Grisu said about just foregoing the ZC altogether, but I couldn't afford that route.

Disclaimer: Again, I am not an expert; I don't work for a stove manufacturer, a stove pipe manufacturer, a mason, a contractor, or a chimney sweep; and I haven't been using a wood stove or using wood as my primary source of heat for 20+ years! I used very helpful advice from such people in order to complete my install. So, in all real honesty, I don't have a clue what I'm talking about. BUT, if you ask the right questions and the right people chime in, there MIGHT be a way to make what you want to do happen.

I know, long post to basically say I don't know what I'm talking about...but I went through a similar situation so I thought it might help.

 

[madison]

Daksy,

? Could the zero clearance (ZC) fireplace be removed from the inside IF the existing mantle and hearth are modified/removed ? I am not a contractor, but I would guess that the if existing mantle and hearth are not to code or the opening large enough, the area inside the home around the ZC fireplace could be removed/enlarged and the ZC removed from the interior of the home, and then modify the hearth area.

Would the latter not allow greater flexibility for inserting a new ZC stove/fireplace/insert?

Thanks

 

[DAKSY]

Daksy,

? Could the zero clearance (ZC) fireplace be removed from the inside IF the existing mantle and hearth are modified/removed ? I am not a contractor, but I would guess that the if existing mantle and hearth are not to code or the opening large enough, the area inside the home around the ZC fireplace could be removed/enlarged and the ZC removed from the interior of the home, and then modify the hearth area.

Would the latter not allow greater flexibility for inserting a new ZC stove/fireplace/insert?

Thanks

In a word, YES. I have replaced many older ZC fireplace boxes with either new Gas Burning Fireplaces or EPA Rated ZC wood burning boxes.
Most of the time, we'd remove the siding, cut thru the sheathing & studs & disconnect the chimney. Then remove the ZC box from the outside.
In some cases, tho, a brick or stone exterior prevents removal from the outside & that pretty much means destroying an entire wall within the home. Some of the newer EPA Rated ZC Fireplaces are larger than the older models & new framing on the inside has to be done anyway.

 

[DSK]

Late to the party, but I was in nearly this exact predicament. It is hard, but I think you need to give up on the insert. I ended up doing as folks are advising. I went in from the back of the chase as it was much easier to keep the mess out of the house. Also, it is highly likely you will need to do some reframing and it was easier to have that full access. I put in a KozyHeat ZC high efficiency fireplace and it ended up GREAT. I also got $1500 for my insert on Craigslist which helped dull some of the financial pain.