Thanks to all for the great forum and posts.. They have helped direct me towards an insert that I think will work well in my recently purchased 1300sq/ft ranch and make both my wife and I happy with its looks and capabilities. the Jotul Rockland is it. I THINK
That being said I need help comign up with 2 solutions prior to purchasing and having an installer putting it in;
1. Jotul sells an extended surround for their inserts (44" wide x 34" high). My opening though is 44.5" wide.. Can I build up the edge of each side with some mortar to have the surround just overlap?
Is the surround just an aesthetic, or does it need to overlap to be functional at all?
2. AND THE BIG ONE.. I have a large hearth on the fireplace, 18" high. Leaves a current 36" from hearth to the bottom of my 3" mantle.. The Jotul manual says a minimum of 51 3/4" or 42" from bottom(with "Mantel Heat Shield") is required for the stove. Top of mantel with heat shield should be 48"
(broken link removed to http://www.yankeefireplace.com/uploads/products/documents/jotul_rockland_insert.pdf)
So this means I have to raise the mantle 12" up to top, and make it (a new one) 6" .. SEE DIAGRAM.. leaves me wwith 6" of my current wood panel. I could come up with a 12" high mantel as well I suppose..
So my questions are:
*Anyone have this same problem?
*Any good ideas, any pictures of solutions?
*Are these absolute measurements , or "suggestions" ?
*Will my fire inspector check the heights to be exact?
I currently have a TV about the mantel which I will remove as it will just get too high to view with this alteration (yes in addition to the concern over heat)..
Thanks in advance!
That being said I need help comign up with 2 solutions prior to purchasing and having an installer putting it in;
1. Jotul sells an extended surround for their inserts (44" wide x 34" high). My opening though is 44.5" wide.. Can I build up the edge of each side with some mortar to have the surround just overlap?
Is the surround just an aesthetic, or does it need to overlap to be functional at all?
2. AND THE BIG ONE.. I have a large hearth on the fireplace, 18" high. Leaves a current 36" from hearth to the bottom of my 3" mantle.. The Jotul manual says a minimum of 51 3/4" or 42" from bottom(with "Mantel Heat Shield") is required for the stove. Top of mantel with heat shield should be 48"
(broken link removed to http://www.yankeefireplace.com/uploads/products/documents/jotul_rockland_insert.pdf)
So this means I have to raise the mantle 12" up to top, and make it (a new one) 6" .. SEE DIAGRAM.. leaves me wwith 6" of my current wood panel. I could come up with a 12" high mantel as well I suppose..
So my questions are:
*Anyone have this same problem?
*Any good ideas, any pictures of solutions?
*Are these absolute measurements , or "suggestions" ?
*Will my fire inspector check the heights to be exact?
I currently have a TV about the mantel which I will remove as it will just get too high to view with this alteration (yes in addition to the concern over heat)..
Thanks in advance!