Since joining, I've learned about a lot of options I didn't know I had when I bought the Republic. I'd never heard of Blaze King or Woodstock, and hadn't looked closely at Englander stoves. I forgot about Thelin.
I chose the Republic because I drooled over the Endeavor on the showroom floor of the stove place we bought the two DV stoves from since day one (we don't have clearances for a wood stove there). We originally had a deposit on an Endeavor, but as the costs added up for the chimney, install, stove, then the major reno on the livingroom (replace floor structure, sill, add doors) I decided to revisit the options thinking I might go with the Answer, but was hesitiant knowing Lopi's numbers for heating sw ft can be a little on the optimistic side in a older home. Then I found the Republic, which they hadn't mentioned. And I liked it a bit better-same great clearances and burn times, and low emmissions, but less price and it looked like it would fit in more.
After hearing about all the other options I missed, I started to wonder if I picked the right stove. Then I looked more closely at design, clearance, etc. About the only stove I find I might have considered is the Progress. I dont know about the side load only, it would have ended up almost in the middle of the hearth, hence the middle of the peak in my roof, so there would have been bends in the stack...and I couldn't set up the hearthpad like I have with the Republic. I like the Fireview but the clearances would take it off the list in a flash. I LOVE the Thelin, but the actual numbers aren't that great and it wouldn't fit in, in the look of the living room.
So, after really looking, I think I AM happy with my choice. I wish it had the burn time of the BKs and I drool over the soapstone on the Woodstocks, but it seems somehow we ended up with just the right stove. I might feel different after a few years of burning, but I dont think so....
{this is more for the other ladies...but I also find it to be an excellent hair dryer :D In fact, that is what I am doing now, whilst using my laptop computer}
So-are you happy with your choice? Did you research, or just chose from a few models on the showroom floor of your hearth dealer? Would you change anything about it?
I chose the Republic because I drooled over the Endeavor on the showroom floor of the stove place we bought the two DV stoves from since day one (we don't have clearances for a wood stove there). We originally had a deposit on an Endeavor, but as the costs added up for the chimney, install, stove, then the major reno on the livingroom (replace floor structure, sill, add doors) I decided to revisit the options thinking I might go with the Answer, but was hesitiant knowing Lopi's numbers for heating sw ft can be a little on the optimistic side in a older home. Then I found the Republic, which they hadn't mentioned. And I liked it a bit better-same great clearances and burn times, and low emmissions, but less price and it looked like it would fit in more.
After hearing about all the other options I missed, I started to wonder if I picked the right stove. Then I looked more closely at design, clearance, etc. About the only stove I find I might have considered is the Progress. I dont know about the side load only, it would have ended up almost in the middle of the hearth, hence the middle of the peak in my roof, so there would have been bends in the stack...and I couldn't set up the hearthpad like I have with the Republic. I like the Fireview but the clearances would take it off the list in a flash. I LOVE the Thelin, but the actual numbers aren't that great and it wouldn't fit in, in the look of the living room.
So, after really looking, I think I AM happy with my choice. I wish it had the burn time of the BKs and I drool over the soapstone on the Woodstocks, but it seems somehow we ended up with just the right stove. I might feel different after a few years of burning, but I dont think so....
{this is more for the other ladies...but I also find it to be an excellent hair dryer :D In fact, that is what I am doing now, whilst using my laptop computer}
So-are you happy with your choice? Did you research, or just chose from a few models on the showroom floor of your hearth dealer? Would you change anything about it?