So many inserts... only one existing fireplace.

[Dave A.]

Guess I should have read your first message "decorative closed off fireplace". I think you need to know more about that like why it was closed off. I guessed coal from the small size -- obviously it's too small to burn wood, but 1942 was well past the coal era. Curious what makes you think, you can now burn wood in it. Would think the first order would be a professional inspection by someone certified to determine feasibility of using the flue/chimney for wood burning.

 

[NateH]

House was built in 1942. We've only been here since August, and I had planned on getting this project started right away but this and that came up and finally have a free moment. Something else to note, the chimney is strictly exterior. You can't even see it in the attic.

 

[begreen]

Good suggestion for a pro assessment. Nate, do you know if the chimney is tile lined and what the interior dimensions are for the chimney?

 

[NateH]

I don't know if the interior is tile lined. I would say no, but that's an opinion from a guy that's a complete novice. The dimensions from the inside of the house to the outer chimney outside are approx. 30" if that tells anyone anything... my initial thinking was that it was bricked over at some point. And a friend of mine has a similar house and his was fireplace was closed off and he ripped some bricks out and put in a pellet stove, so I just assumed.

 

[begreen]

Here's a quick mockup of the PH in this location.

 

[NateH]

I think that looks good... but the lintel needs to move up. I have the owner of a stove company (Nicko's Chimney Company in Latrobe, PA) coming in about 2 weeks to go over the whole house.

 

[begreen]

A good mason can definitely raise the lintel and with that there are more stove options, including putting in a freestanding stove in another location. Try to think creatively and be open minded to all the alternatives.

 

[Dave A.]

Something about that whole fireplace area just says older than 1942. Very few houses were built in the US in 1942, everything pretty much stopped by 1942 after the war started. But anyway.

Sure, a mason would be a good idea too, get an estimate, give you some idea what's involved. I'd be wanting to make the fireplace as large as possible to accommodate a nice large stove inside it. If you just put the stove in front, might save some money, rather than rebuilding it as an attractive fireplace.

 

[NateH]

I definitely have an open mind. Just don't like not knowing one way or another... I thought I could move the lintel, and was confident about busting out some brick and reclaiming them for the base... now not sure.

 

[kingquad]

BeGreen's suggestion is probably your best bet, although I think a Fireview would work as well. I'm not sure if Nicko's is a certified mason. You want a specialist for this. Do you have Angie's List by chance?

 

[NateH]

No I don't have Angie's list. Thinking about getting it...

King, what do you mean, fireview?

 

[kingquad]

Woodstock Fireview

 

[robertmcw]

My house has an open plan – all 1200 sq ft of it. The stove I have is really too large. If you are looking at a smaller home with long burn times, I would think you can look at the Sirocco20 from Blaze King.


(broken link removed to http://www.blazeking.com/EN/wood-sirocco20.html)


Robert

 

[NateH]

Well, ripped part of the back out... its much deeper. 26" deep. However, as I loom up the chimney it gets considerably more narrow. Not sure if I'll fit a liner up there.

 

[erikb45]

Im a residential contractor. Many people have there fireplaces closed up just like yours for numerous reasons like animals and cold drafts. In my opinion that is just what you have there. Most likely you could bust out the brick and get to the real fireplace chimney.. If you get on a ladder you can check what the chimney is lined with if anything. With that said - I cannot see your house from here in long island so as said above getting a mason or a fireplace expert out there is a must just to be sure.

If it was me i would get a protruding insert.
and if you dont have a generator already get a inverter to run fridge and blower