What am I getting myself into?

Hey guys and gals,

I'm looking at putting in a brand new fireplace with an insert in our living room.

We already have a stove in another room so no problems with understanding how to rub sticks together to make a fire. I built the hearth, wall surround and installed the stove and pipe myself.

What I'm not sure about is the pitfalls and problems that I should look forward to in building a new insert fireplace.

I've done just a little researching and as a beginning point a small unit like a Lopi 1250i has my interested.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Can't help with the bull but I'd encourage you to look at the Enviro inserts. They are very nicely built.

 

Have you seen this thread by our own Scotty Overkill

I'd be looking into something like this if I was doing an all new install.
The Napoleon NZ3000 Build Thread | Firewood Hoarders Club

 

I second this.

 

Having only been woodburning for a few years my experience might be a little narrow on this topic, but I too would go with a freestanding stove over an insert. I am convinced, albeit without actual data, that my insert wastes substantially more heat than would a similar freestanding unit. I'm also absolutely certain that the fan noise drives me a little bonkers.

 

Thanks for the info everyone. Also great write up on your build Scotty Overkill.

The issues are:
1) Space is at a premium. The room I'm look at putting it in isn't big. I'm looking at the corner of the room where the TV sits on an angle. So having a large fireplace with a freestanding stove just won't work.

2) My bride wants the hearth look of a fireplace but the safety of closing off the fire instead of the open flame of a fireplace. I also don't want the in efficency of an open fireplace.

3) Since we already have a free standing stove getting heat from this build wouldn't be as important, but obviously I don't want a lemon either.

The room has a vaulted ceiling so even a small hearth would look great, but with the setback rules to the property line building a external chimney isn't an option.

Has anyone done a fireplace in a room corner?

Any small room fireolace/insert experience?

 

Have you pursued a zoning variance for the chimney, most times it can be done.

 

I haven't and it probably wouldn't be what we want with the location of our porch and a tree in the area.

 

Check out the Hampton inserts I have a hi300 and love it I also have a ideal steel as my primary heat and love that as well the is is in the basement and the hi300 is in the living room