New guy with a couple questions.

I have been lurking on here for quite awhile and finally decided I better register so I can ask a couple questions.
Before I ask away, I wanted to say... I have really enjoyed reading/learning on here. There are questions being asked/answered that I never have considered. Woodstoves are getting so scientific nowadays. You all are a wealth of info., thanks for the that.

I am building a new house in NW Oregon (Coast range) starting in Mar./April time frame. We have a fairly mild, yet very wet climate here. Temps in the winter average in the low to mid 40's, dropping to mid 20's for lowest temps. The house design is a "chalet" style, 1700 total sq. ft., 1100 sq. ft main floor, with a 600 sq. ft. open loft on top. The main floor is open floor to ceiling (~21ft high), in the front half of the house (great room). The back half of the main floor is bedrooms, etc., 9' ceilings. Again, open loft all the way back. The wood stove will be located in the great room along one side wall adjacent to a door for easy wood delivery. Wood stove will be my primary heat source.
I have been deciding on which new stove, the Woodstock Ideal Steel is the front runner. I have also considered a Blaze King and a Kuma Stove. .
Any thoughts on the Ideal Steel for this house? Oregon requires us to have a fresh air intake to get a tax incentive. I plan to call Woodstock to see if this is standard or even an option on there stoves.
Any additional insight or thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance

 

IS has an optional OAK. Shipping to PNW might be expensive but I'm partial to the IS

Woodstock IS

 

Thanks for the quick reply. Glad to hear it is avail. Shipping is expensive. I was quoted $600 to a freight terminal an hour away from me.

 

The Ideal would be ideal for that many sq ft.
And very efficient and clean burning!
You'll need a 6 inch insulated flue and the OAK will be handy on those dreary wet days

 

The IS outside air kit is very reasonably priced.

 

The $600 certainly is a hit. But look at that cost over time. I'm partial to Woodstock, my experience with BK is seeing one at a showroom (not impressed with the looks) and the good reviews they seem to get online. BKs I understand are convective VS Woodstock is radiant. I like radiant heat myself.

 

Welcome reprod from the other side of country! very familiar with the chalet style of home as it is popular in the ski areas.. also got a couple of cousins in washington state. The IS will work for you I have no doubt as my temperatures are much cooler and I have many 18 foot ceilings.. and this thing (the IS) does the low slow well..

since you are building new what are your plans for installation? insulation?

as your style of house is open and bedrooms are high wondering if might get to hot to sleep?

 

Welcome Reprod....

The Ideal sounds like a good choice for those temps and that amount of Sq.ft. I don't think it's too much stove. You can get some really long burn times if your heating requirements are modest.

As others asked, my question is your insulation. If I were building new, I would strongly consider a foam insulation.

Costs a bit more, but really helps seal the house tight. Lends itself to those long burn times if your insulation is really good.

 

The IS is a good stove. Dont overlook the BK stoves, the savings on shipping of the BK would be significant. The other thing to consider is the operation of each unit. The BK is self reliant after about 30min from a cold stove or 10 min from a reload, this is due to the Bi-metallic thermostat for air control. I'm a self employed contractor and dont have time to babysit the stove during the day so the automatic damper is perfect for me.

 

A newer house with decent insulation shouldn't have trouble with either stove with a proper flue setup. I would have a BK in a heartbeat if the chip would have fallen that way. I'm more than happy with my IS, but wouldn't steer anyone away from a BK

Woodstock IS

 

I have high (not as high as you) ceilings, and ceiling fans are the best investment you can make. Well, good insulation, and a good stove installation are first. The fans will reduce the tendancy for the low areas to be cold and the high areas to be hot.

About the insulation - I concur with those who recommend foam. I recently replaced fiberglass batts with foam in my cathedral ceiling, and what a difference it made! And make sure they seal the sill plate (bottom of wall), that has been a major source of cold leakage in my place. Because of the stack effect of your tall structure, the leakage will be amplified, and you will always feel drafts around your feet if they are not sealed.

 

Wow, I am about an hour from the Kuma stove folks, and never knew they existed!

They look to have a decent enough line. Because of my location, I would be taking a closer look at them if I were looking for a stove. For now, my 30-NC does the trick.

 

I was in a similar stove market about 2 years ago and ended up with the Ideal Steel. I still like the BKs and am sure it would do great, but I sure am glad I ended up with the WoodStock Company. They are incredible to deal with, & have amazing customer service...and my wife & I love the stove.

 

Thanks for the great feedback. It is nice to know I'm on the right track.

Interesting the spray foam insulation is mentioned by many of you. I have been trying to get more info on it. Not sure why but it doesn't seem too popular in our part of the country. I have seen it on tv, but never seen or heard of being installed locally. I really like the fact it seals so well. I will be talking to my contractor more about this this week.

Ceiling fans are a must, I agree. We are planning at least two, one in the great room and one in the loft area.

 

Who quoted this? Woodstock? I shipped vehicles from Florida and from TX for about that same money

Woodstock IS

 

Yeah. Woodstock shipping to a freight terminal.

 

Seems high, but it is coast to coast

Woodstock IS