You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
Hi. We're thinking of installing a fireplace. I'm beginning to read about steel pre-fab fireplaces that do not extend into the room. Our living room is small, but we have room in the garage behind the wall to build the supports for the firebox and for the duct. Does anybody have experiences with this type of fireplace. I'm told the heating is good and a combustion air source from the exterior will help keep warm household air being drawn up the chimney. Any recommendations? Thanks! Brian
We elected to install a zero clearance fireplace when we built our house in 1988. The manufacturer was Clayton. It is still in use and is our main source of heat. Our burning season lasts about 6 months. We live on 9 acres which is mostly covered with trees. Madrone and Oak are our primary source of fuel. We cut and split in the early spring for the next winter. Yes, it is a lot of work when you consider the gas, oil, chainsaws, etc. but we (my wife especially) likes wood heat.
The front of the fireplace is surrounded by rocks which extend about 10 feet high and also has a 15" high hearth. After all these years it is still working well and heats most of the house. There is a duct behind the rocks which supplies heated air through the rocks and another duct pointing the opposite direction to a vent in the kitchen. Our house is about 4000 sq. ft.
The one problem we had was after a season I noticed some disfiguring (canning) in the back of the stove. I was told that this was caused by not using the fans when burning. The problem was corrected by installing a 3/16"plate inside the back of the stove.
A catalytic combustor keeps the chimney nice and clean and increases the efficiency significantly. This will break down after 2 or 3 seasons and must be replaced. Also, they need to be cleaned (removed and brushed off) every so often depending on how much you use the fireplace. Hope this helps.
