Finally got around to insulating my fireplace

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Been able to run for a few days straight with the cold temps, I really do not see that much difference in everyday operating, where I see the difference is in how much longer the fan stays on because the insert stays warm longer and I now have large coals in the morning after an overnight burn to get the stove going again, before I would just have a few small coals and it would take more effort to get the fire started.

So far it was well worth the $40 for the Roxul and the time to install it.

The insert runs as normal with peaks to 550-575 top plate temp. then back down, the added insulation does not make the insert over fire.
 
mellow said:
Been able to run for a few days straight with the cold temps, I really do not see that much difference in everyday operating, where I see the difference is in how much longer the fan stays on because the insert stays warm longer and I now have large coals in the morning after an overnight burn to get the stove going again, before I would just have a few small coals and it would take more effort to get the fire started.

So far it was well worth the $40 for the Roxul and the time to install it.

The insert runs as normal with peaks to 550-575 top plate temp. then back down, the added insulation does not make the insert over fire.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the update! Sounds like it was well worth it. I just insulated the attic above the den where the stove is at, put 8x R30 (9") rolles for a total of 200 feet. I only had 6" insulation before, I hope this will help with retaining the heat in the house longer.

Did you paint the insulation?
 
mellow said:
Been able to run for a few days straight with the cold temps, I really do not see that much difference in everyday operating, where I see the difference is in how much longer the fan stays on because the insert stays warm longer and I now have large coals in the morning after an overnight burn to get the stove going again, before I would just have a few small coals and it would take more effort to get the fire started.

So far it was well worth the $40 for the Roxul and the time to install it.

The insert runs as normal with peaks to 550-575 top plate temp. then back down, the added insulation does not make the insert over fire.
Click to expand...
Could the bigger coals be from using a different type of firewood? Thanks....
 
It was the same type wood back then, I burn a lot of Maple and Gum. This was posted back when I had my XTD insert, I now have a larger catalytic insert.

Needless to say the Roxul helps a lot to keep the heat in the fireplace which translates to longer burn times, also helps to have an insert that will have meaningful heat for 12 hours per load.
 
Hello. So you just lined your fireplace with Roxul, it comes in contact with the insert on the sides but not the top? Any problems since you did this? Do you see any problems if the Roxul comes in contact with the top of the insert?

I've had an insert for a couple of years (Drolet 1800, bought used, some cracked bricks but works great) but like you, I'd been putting off the insulation part but there's a serious draft. I'm getting around to it now, and I happen to have Roxul soundproofing (denser than the thermal insulation but they don't report an R-value). Your post is the most relevant thing I've found. Thanks for posting those pics.
 
Last edited:
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Something I have to ask. If there is a draft around that insert it means air is going up that chimney somehow. Do you have a chimney liner and is there a top plate up top that is sealed?
 
Ok sooo.. I was outside the other day and just happened to put my hand on the outside brick of my fireplace, it was warm, so I went out today with it being in the upper 30's and according to the IR gun my outside brick right up the middle where my insert sits was at 60 degrees.

Roxul alone is not cutting it for keeping the heat in the fireplace.

Im up in the air with pulling the Roxul and putting in Durock around the sides and back and making a block off plate out of cement board as well and then putting Roxul on top or behind that. Durock will be lighter so If I make some metal support beams to hold it up and drill a hole for the liner just to try something different, most of you guys are using metal.

Got a break in the weather on Saturday so might let the insert go out then pull it out (fun!) to get this done.
 
Thank you for your post. I was concerned about the insulation in direct contact with the stove. I have always burned a Consolidated Dutch West small Federal (free standing). In our new home we have an old Appalachian wood insert, which is all very new to me. Our fireplace was a steel prefab. In order to get the insert in, we had to plasma cut the damper and back out of the firebox. Of course leaving a gapping hole. I know we are losing a ton of heat up the chimney. On the first nice day, (it's 0 outside) I WILL be installing the Durock and the Roxul. I am confident this will make our stove more efficient.
 
Since the Durock+Roxul is doing such a good job on blocking the heat on the back and top I will be lining the sides of my fireplace with it as well this weekend. I will be anchoring it to the steel fireplace box.

[Hearth.com] Finally got around to insulating my fireplace
 
After seeing the gains from just the back piece of cement board I have gone ahead and done it properly on back,side,bottom,top.

Just about finished:
[Hearth.com] Finally got around to insulating my fireplace

Finished and painted with high temp black paint in case I decide to run with no surround:

[Hearth.com] Finally got around to insulating my fireplace


Will let you guys know how it does.
 
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mellow said:
After seeing the gains from just the back piece of cement board I have gone ahead and done it properly on back,side,bottom,top.

Just about finished:
View attachment 124034

Finished and painted with high temp black paint in case I decide to run with no surround:

View attachment 124035


Will let you guys know how it does.
Click to expand...
Did you go with just the Durock? I'm not seeing the Roxul. I'm keeping close tabs on your project : )
 
got the Appalachian reinstalled yesterday, checked the exact spot on the brick outside after running the insert for 12 hours and I was pleased to see that it was at 50 degrees. With the 30 degree elbow I just installed the liner is closer to the brick where I measure above the block off plate, guessing I would have seen lower temps without the elbow.

It is still to early to report on overall performance gains, but it does seem to be holding temps longer.
 
Loaded the insert last night at 9pm, came down this morning at 8am to the cats still purring along at 1000 degrees and the downstairs at 73, had a low of 25 overnight so I think it is safe to say the updated insulated fireplace with Roxul and cement board IS helping to keep the heat in the firebox resulting in even longer burns.

My block off plate is half inch Durock with a layer of Roxul on top of that. The side cement boards do not have Roxul behind them, the back has Durock and Roxul behind it. The insert does sit on top of half inch cement board now.

The addition of cement boards also helps to block out the fibers from the Roxul as a bonus.

My next upgrade will be when I redo my hearth I will get some sheets of Micore, I will upgrade the Durock to Micore for better R value.
 
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Just wanted to do an update with the temps in the teens and windchill in the negatives I can see a big difference between Roxul only and Roxul + Durock, the Appalachian was a pain to get hot enough to heat the room in windy freezing temps, now it is keeping up, when I went home for lunch it was 71 degrees with the cat purring at 1500. No other changes have been made, just the addition of Durock.
 
mellow said:
Just wanted to do an update with the temps in the teens and windchill in the negatives I can see a big difference between Roxul only and Roxul + Durock, the Appalachian was a pain to get hot enough to heat the room in windy freezing temps, now it is keeping up, when I went home for lunch it was 71 degrees with the cat purring at 1500. No other changes have been made, just the addition of Durock.
Click to expand...

Mellow how is the Durock holding up? Get different info on it. When installed it will prob almost touch the side of the insert in a few spots. Any issues in your estimation?

My installer is coming Monday and while he has the stove out I am going to add more Roxul in the damper and 24 ga metal block off. Want to line the box w/ Durock and hopefully, like your install I will have room for some Roxul in the back. Prob not on the sides.
 
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Mine touches the Durock in the back, it is concrete board it will take quite a bit of abuse and heat. I will have to be more careful with the Micore as it is more fragile.

No Roxul on the sides I don't believe is a deal breaker due to the heat going to the brick inside the house, the back is what you really want to insulate that heat loss against. I would still suggest Durock/Micore on the sides to help reflect some of that heat back to the firebox, I do believe it has helped but I can't quantify it like I can the back. And by quantify the back I mean stop all heat loss by measuring the bricks on the outside and seeing no temperature differences.
 
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