Forum Archive

OK, this is for you hardcore chimney/fireplace people. We would like to figure out what it would take to have a small wood burning stove working in our living room fireplace. There are many complications.

Issue # 1 — Just look at our fireplace. It is not only all bricked and cemented up on a weird angle, it seems to have had small holes for pot bellied stove flues or something back in its working days.

Issue # 2 — the chimney brick work was actually crumbling on the roof and the top floor (finished attic), so back when we renovated, we capped it below the top floor, rather than spend money rebuildinhg it. There is simply no chimney at all above the bedroom floor.

Issue # 3 – we have a 32″ wide alley on the chimney side of the house. Perhaps that can be useful in some way.

So, what is the best way to make this happen (if at all)? What kind of flue needs to be run? What kind of chimney work needs to be done? Can we circumvent the top floor by running the flue outside at that point? What needs to encase the flue (inside or out? What is this all going to run? You get the idea? Is this project doable, by whom and for how much? Recommendations for a wood stove? Please don’t just suggest that I bring in a contractor and ask him these questions. I want to have a bit of vision/knowledge myself before I do that.

Bonus question for Donatella — do you think Manny can do this kind of job?

Thanks, everyone.