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

Hello all,

I'm getting a new roof due to storm damage. My chimney has been needing some work, and I was waiting to do it when we replace our roof. Now the time has come. I believe it will need to be taken down to the roof line, and rebuilt. This got me thinking it would be a good time to put in a new wood-burning heat source, if the money allows.

First, I have a traditional "L" shaped ranch, ~2,300sqft, new windows ~6 years ago, going to put more insulation in (but pretty good now). Backup heat is electric heat pump. Fireplace is on opposite side of bedrooms. I've read about moving air, and plan to do so with small fans blowing cold into hearth room.

The chimney is big, about 6' wide (guessing) and extends off the back of the house. I would like to reduce the width (saving money) when we rebuild, but not sure that the wife is on board with that.

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My main question are there any differences when a mason builds an open fireplace chimney vs. a stove, besides the obvious stove pipe vs. clay (or whatever is used now)? I'm guessing best case would be the inside of the chimney is fine, just rebuild the brick, drop in stove pipe.

As for the stove/insert question. I would love a stove, but my wife says it'll stick out too much into the room. I don't disagree, as the room is only 13' W x 23' L. The TV is on the short wall, which puts the seating area around the existing fireplace, with little room to spare. I have blowers already installed in the brick, but would also utilize insert blower.

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I have measurements of the opening, but not with me at the moment. ***

Anyone have any brands to check out, avoid? Ideally, we would find a contemporary insert with a window.

Would a small stove heat better than a "bigger" insert?

Thanks in advance. I will add pics when I get home.

 

Excuse the mess.



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I think I would stay with an insert in that narrow room but if you can convince the wife to give up some area a stove will give you more radiant heat. That said I love our insert and get plenty of heat as do many other insert owners on here. As far as the chimney question you just need a stainless liner down after you rebuild the brick, insulated wrapped liner even better yet if possible to keep the flue warm.
I have a Buck 91 that I like, but several good inserts out there. Quadrafire is another one that comes to mind or Blaze King Princess.

 

Another thought is you will have to see how much room you have to fit an insert.

 

All that brick for 1 flue ?
I'd be tempted to turn that into an alcove if it is.

 

Yes, one flue. I'm not sure how, cost effectively, to make that happen.

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The chimney would look a whole lot better if it was tapered above the roof.
That's just about like my LR but my stove is in the end like where your TV is .
I would stick with an insert there

 

Yup, good place for a insert. Just put a liner in the chimney (insulated if you have the room)

 

That was my first thought also!

 

It would admittedly be a bit of a project.
I like alcoves for stoves. Especially in small rooms. Even for a gas fireplace.
Is that the original chimney height ?
Could be an optical illusion but the top 4 feet looks added onto.

Inserts look nice though.

 

All original.

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Well we're a bit north of you in Wisconsin, but we have a similar style house. L shaped ranch, with all the BR's on the far end of where the existing chimney was. We have some new windows, but a few are old and inefficient. Our insulation isn't that great either for the whole house. I have a furnace in the basement, but our Quadrafire 4100 wood burning insert really is the primary heat source. Inserts work great, you really can get the house cooking with ours, and I think many of them are very good heaters.

In your case, I'd say an insert would probably be best. There's flush mount inserts, bow front inserts ( like mine) and ones that stick out a few inches with a traditional front glass pane.

Here's my Quadrafire 4100i in my living room. My wife was extremely picky about which insert we could get. She's very happy with this one. I installed it myself, with a little help from a buddy.

Regardless of which direction you go, you'll need to get dimensions of the fireplace.

 

I was thinking the same thing when I saw that chimney structure. Appears they will have to take half the chimney down if they go to the roof. OP might want to start thinking about more but of course I understand that masonry work is not cheap.

 

Look at this thread for what one member did: Ripping out a gas fireplace, putting in a wood stove.

 

That's a great idea, but I take it that the OP wants to keep this project a bit more affordable.

 

What, IKEA doesn't sell alcove kits?

 

Probably not.

They do have meatballs though. Or so I hear.

 

OP also said that half that chimney is coming down.

 

Hey pjcalla , what makes you think the chimney will need to be rebuilt from roof up? I know you can't tell much from pics sometimes, but things look OK to me...just needs tuck pointed maybe (and that paint is not helping it)...just had mine done last year...was $400 total...couple hundred more would have got me a new masonry cap if needed. If it needs flue work, just drop a SS liner in it...no big deal.