First of all, I would like to thank this community. Without it I would simply end up with a regular non-insulated 6 inches liner and no block-off plate - that's for sure. So I am very thankful to everyone who ever posted here and to those who replied to my posts directly. THANK YOU! For the reference at the very bottom of the post I put a list of threads I started/replied to, that helped me with my questions.
Two days ago I've had my Large Flush Wood insert finally installed, despite starting my journey back in February. Back then I asked for a first quote. I thought it's going to be a fireplace store nearby, but it turned out to be another one, because only that one agreed to use an insulated liner and gave me a reasonable price overall, even though installation was still pretty expensive (over 2k). Here is how it looks now (before/after):
Now a little bit of details:
I. Choosing the model: I went with Next-Gen Fyre, i.e. the one without catalytic combustor. It had a 1k rebate, plus I wanted to avoid headache of changing the cat every once in a while.
II. Insulated liner: At first the installer ordered regular liner with 1/4" insulation, which proved to be against the code. So I insisted on a 1/2" insulation and ended up ordering a pre-insulated liner (see pic below), so they installed it:
Although, in order to save the fireplace back wall, we opted for a 30 degree stove connector and oval to round adapter:
I have asked them to insulate part of that oval adapter and they used insulation from unused part of that pre-insulated liner, so it looked like this:
And when it entered the fireplace it looked like this:
So, as you might see, some part of it remains uninsulated, I really hope this is not a big issue...
III. Block-off Plate: I decided to go with aluminum to avoid fumes from the galvanized steel. After asking Travis Industries directly, it turned out that it might be happening with the outer shell temp it reaches. But even if not - I waned to be on the save side. So what I did was:
I can't wait for the winter. I know I need to order and season some wood first, I did not have a chance to do it yet, but will definitely do soon. I have asked if we need to test it and the installer burned small piece of a firestarter, showing that the draft is there and everything is fine. It's really hot right now, so I don't think I want to run it for the curing just yet... I think I will wait for October to do so...
Please let me know if you see/think about any concerns/issues/suggestions - everything is welcome!
And, once again - I can't thank you all enough for providing a lot of knowledge. Hopefully, this post contributes as well and helps someone else in the future. THANK YOU!
____________________________________________________________
List of threads I started/replied to, that helped me with my questions:
Two days ago I've had my Large Flush Wood insert finally installed, despite starting my journey back in February. Back then I asked for a first quote. I thought it's going to be a fireplace store nearby, but it turned out to be another one, because only that one agreed to use an insulated liner and gave me a reasonable price overall, even though installation was still pretty expensive (over 2k). Here is how it looks now (before/after):
Now a little bit of details:
I. Choosing the model: I went with Next-Gen Fyre, i.e. the one without catalytic combustor. It had a 1k rebate, plus I wanted to avoid headache of changing the cat every once in a while.
II. Insulated liner: At first the installer ordered regular liner with 1/4" insulation, which proved to be against the code. So I insisted on a 1/2" insulation and ended up ordering a pre-insulated liner (see pic below), so they installed it:
Although, in order to save the fireplace back wall, we opted for a 30 degree stove connector and oval to round adapter:
I have asked them to insulate part of that oval adapter and they used insulation from unused part of that pre-insulated liner, so it looked like this:
And when it entered the fireplace it looked like this:
So, as you might see, some part of it remains uninsulated, I really hope this is not a big issue...
III. Block-off Plate: I decided to go with aluminum to avoid fumes from the galvanized steel. After asking Travis Industries directly, it turned out that it might be happening with the outer shell temp it reaches. But even if not - I waned to be on the save side. So what I did was:
- Bought a 0.033in thick aluminium (about 20 gauge) of size 48x30". It was not easy to find a place that has it, because home improvement shops either did not have it or had it too thin/short. But I found a local sheet metal manufacturer who, I plan working with again)
- Made few carton board plates to see how it fits. Added 1 inch on each side for folding as this forum instruction recommends:
- Using final board cut a plate. I bought aviation shears, but they were very hard on the metal, so I ended up using a jigsaw (BLACK+DECKER 4.5-Amp Variable Speed Keyless Corded Jigsaw for $30) - it did the job perfectly!
- Using a 2x4, my hands in gloves, hammer with rubber cover and two 4-inch fixating clamps - I have bent the plate from 4 sides to make the attachment flaps:
- Drilled 3 holes in the back flap and 2 holes on each side flap using a 3/16 drill bit:
- Used 2 ribbons from sides (for easier removal) I put the plate in place, then drilled holes in the bricks through holes in the plate, using a 5/32 masonry drill bit:
- Waited for the installer to put the stove and liner - then made a hole after confirming with him that this is where he needs it to be:
- Cut out some mineral wood (Thermafiber R13) to put on top of the plate:
- When stove was out and liner installed - I have installed my plate with Mineral Wool R13 on top, using 3/16 masonry screws:
- Then sticked some more mineral wool between the liner and the plate (opening)::
- Then the installer struggled for 2 hours, trying different methods, but could not connect it to the stove, probably swearing a lot on that plate. I then asked if there are any issues and he said that the plate had to be removed for him to install. Then I have offered to move the hole closer to the other end, as I offered initially, so he agreed, and I made the change, then reinstalled the plate:
- Then they were able to successfully install it. Although, it seems that the oval adapter was bent pretty hard, but I hope it's nothing and it would work fine:
I can't wait for the winter. I know I need to order and season some wood first, I did not have a chance to do it yet, but will definitely do soon. I have asked if we need to test it and the installer burned small piece of a firestarter, showing that the draft is there and everything is fine. It's really hot right now, so I don't think I want to run it for the curing just yet... I think I will wait for October to do so...
Please let me know if you see/think about any concerns/issues/suggestions - everything is welcome!
And, once again - I can't thank you all enough for providing a lot of knowledge. Hopefully, this post contributes as well and helps someone else in the future. THANK YOU!
____________________________________________________________
List of threads I started/replied to, that helped me with my questions:
- Lopi Evergreen: old vs new hybrid model
- Fireplace xtrordinair or Lopi Large hybrid vs NexGen Fyre
- Does my fireplace chimney flue look good for installing a wood stove insert with a flue? (just swept it)
- Installer brings regular liner+insulation for the "insulated liner" request. Is it normal?
- Blockoff plate: how to attach a larger patch piece to the plate, which is already in place?
- Block-off Plate: would aluminum work or only steel is needed?
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