New insert/stove, chimney work, etc. - Advice needed

Let's think a bit more. Half the chimney is coming down. It appears to be a huge chimney with a single flue. The chimney is mostly design; aesthetic by the architect. OP is also having the roof redone; so it is possible to redesign the chimney because that area of the roof can be sheathed etc. OP has limited space in the lounge for a stove; so that is why the insert. It may be possible with just a little bit more work to have more of an alcove with a free standing stove. The chimney has to be redone anyway. Maybe open up the chimney, use spray foam insulation, redo the opening with stone, , have a SS liner etc. Now is the time to consider the possibilities and find out what the costs would be than to wait and maybe have regrets.

 

I thought it appeared that the brick was deteriorating from weather. Perhaps that is just painted brick and I am seeing peeling paint?

 

There's plenty of peeling paint for sure, more...dunno?
A good mason will tell you to never paint brick/block/masonry...even with masonry paint...although that is much preferred if ya just gotta do it anyways

 

Thanks for all the replies. I really appreciate them.

First off, the chimney will need to be rebuilt from the roof (at least) up. I've had 2 masons out, and their opinions matched. I would love to reduce the size, but the transition would look funky, I think.

The opening is 42" W × 26.5" H × 22" D, so pretty large.

I'm still thinking insert. All said and done, I'm figuring $7,500. Don't think I could get the alcove/chimney fixed and new stove for that.





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If you have to get someone else to do all the work, and unless estimates cost, don't guess, get an estimate and find out.

 

Chimney take down and rebuild is $2,500 (mason estimates of $2,500 & $2,700). I figure a new, large insert installed is ~$5,000. Yes, I could possibly save $700 or so doing it myself, but if there's a problem I don't want to be on the hook, so to speak.

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Who was it that tore a chimney like this off their house a couple years ago...there was a thread on it...I remember the pics...there was a big freakin hole in the roof/wall for a day or two...search feature didn't find it...anybody remember?
Not the one Rangerbait just did...dunno what that cost...real top notch stuff though!

 

$5k for the stove...you must be looking at some real top end stuff! $2-3k will buy you a real good one!
What do you think about tearing down the brick chimney, frame in the wall for an alcove install and then put up a class A chimney pipe? (could frame it in a chase if you don't like the looks of bare chimney pipe)
I know this is basically what others have already suggested, but after seeing what you are expecting to spend, I think you could do this, end up with a top notch free standing stove, more room, and a superior chimney system all for under $7500...maybe I'm crazy...well, ah, never mind on that part...

 

I think you would need a chase to have a tall enough chimney and have something to put a ladder against to brush the chimney annually.
With no roof cricket on the back side of that chimney I would not be surprised to find rotten structure from leaking flashing, especially with such a wide chimney.
The width of that structure creates quite a dam on the roof.

 

The inserts all seem to be in the $3,000 range, add pipe and install, gets pretty close to $5,000. I think tearing it down is possible, but not sure the wife would go for it.



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Yes, I'm concerned about the rot as well. The new roof will have a cricket installed.

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If she is worried about how it will be aesthetics wise, then maybe a few drawings. I have my rocket on the side of the house ready for take-off

 

There are some nice inserts out there at $1500...even less...and then there is always finding a good deal on a used one. But if you go alcove, that means you can go with a free standing stove...and those can be even cheaper...and much better selection.
It is getting to be the wrong time of year to tear this out now though...unless it happened really quickly!

 

There is a member on here that did a chimney chase and then covered it with what I thought was manufactured stone and it looked beautiful. Maybe I can search and find it. It might be cheaper to tear the whole chimney down, frame and install SS and then add the stone or brick. One thing that makes chimneys expensive is that they are so massive and they have to support the weight as well as just being a device to remove smoke.

 

Look at this thread; the chimney is framed out and then covered. If you take the whole chimney down and then frame for the new SS chimney, it can look great.
The Napoleon NZ3000 Build Thread

 

Yes, the flue work is a waste due to the SS liner kits being so easy to install.

 

pjcalla Is it a structure issue with the chimney? If not, then you may not need to spend the money on the chimney and just install a SS liner.

 

There are cracks running through the mortar and brick. I'm pretty sure it needs to come down and replaced (at least that's what the masons are saying).

I'm trying to get on board with the alcove idea, but having a hard time thinking the cost will be the same. There still will be brick work covering the chase, and additional stone/brick/whatever inside the alcove. The savings (if any) buying a freestanding stove over an insert would quickly be gone with the additional inside work, I believe.

I'm aware there are cheaper insert options, but, aesthetically, we are looking for a large, contemporary, flush mount. Yes, looks do matter, according to my wife. Used inserts/stoves are about non-existent in my area. When they do pop up, it's a smoke dragon that someone found in grandpa's barn that's worth its weight in gold.

I really appreciate all the comments and advice.


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My project cost me $14k total, and pretty much every spare minute of my time for 2 months straight. I provided almost all of the labor, with the exception of the stone work which cost me $2,600, materials and labor.

 

Here is the end result of one member's conversion to an alcove install.