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March 3, 2009
Modern wood fireplace inserts?
I have a wood burning fireplace that is no doubt a big energy sucker and doesn't put out all that much heat. Though it's not shallow like the old coal burning ones (the previous owners had it redone to be wood-burning capable), it's still too shallow to get going a big enough fire to put off enough heat to warm the (big) room. I've been looking into wood-burning fireplace inserts (like a stove that inserts, sometimes projecting out like a bay window), but they're all far too country-style for our modern-industrial interior. Anyone know of a source for more modern ones? Know of a good fireplace contractor (or do you use a GC?)? Have experience with fireplace inserts?? Thanks!
Comments
If the opening is big enough, you might be able to slide a self-contained unit like a Heat-N-Glo, Lennox or Heatilator into it. You could then give it a modern aesthetic by boxing it out with sheetrock or other more modern materials. It's actually quite easy to do and all of these mfr's have some decent minimal looking units.
Jim Hill
Urban Pioneering Architecture
Posted by: JimHill at March 3, 2009 10:05 AM
Or you could go to a gas one...these are beautiful
www.gascoals.com
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 10:09 AM
We bought a brand called kozy heat, installed it on the ist floor and vented it to upper floors. It does a good job of heating the house and burns very efficiently.
Posted by: Boerum Hill at March 3, 2009 10:23 AM
Thanks-
I saw the manufacturers you noted, JimHill, but it looks like Heat-N-Glo and Heatilator (who have some styles I like!) are only gas, not wood. There's one Lennox model that might work, though...
And as for converting to gas: how expensive is that to do? Our furnace, which is located off the same room, is gas fueled, if that helps... I'd always understood that gas fireplaces were mostly just for aesthetics, not for warmth. Maybe that's not true with a gas insert that ups the output??
Posted by: tanner at March 3, 2009 10:28 AM
Running a gas line, even up 2 floors from the basement should cost less than $500. Put a dhut off valve in at the basement and at the fireplace.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 10:34 AM
Boerum Hill, is it a wood insert? I only see gas inserts on their website... Or totally new fireplaces...
Posted by: tanner at March 3, 2009 10:34 AM
Tanner,
Our Kozy heat is wood burning. Go to the company website. The click for gas fireplaces is on the left. The click for wood burning fireplaces is 3-4 columns over.
Posted by: Boerum Hill at March 3, 2009 4:57 PM
We recently installed a wood-burning metal insert from Bellfires (www.bellfiresusa.com)
Haven't moved in yet so can't comment on whether it's good but is relatively unobtrusive and traditional-looking (for a metal insert)
Posted by: 146steven at March 3, 2009 8:54 PM
Tanner,
Both Heat-N-Glo and Heatilator make wood burning. If you can't find one on the site, call them directly. I know they both have gas and wood.
If you can't find what you're looking for and the manufacturer is no help, click on my profile and go to my website to get my phone and I'll help you.
Jim Hill
UPA
Posted by: JimHill at March 5, 2009 11:59 AM
Hey Tanner, I have a question for you about a prior post. If you don't mind, can you email me at colonelak@hotmail.com when you have some time (no rush at all). We may be working with the same people and I would love to swap notes. Sorry, I have nothing for you regarding the fireplace thouhg :-) Thanks! A
Posted by: Colonel at March 5, 2009 2:50 PM
Thanks, everyone. Very helpful.
I'll repost this summer or fall when we get it done!
Posted by: tanner at March 6, 2009 11:22 AM
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