Ideas wanted for Log burning stove installation

[Handyman]

I'm getting very near to replacing my gas fire with a log burning stove.
When I remove the gas fire, I will remove everything else that I find to take the fireplace back to a "builder's opening", then install the stove in the space. The fire surround and mantle is made out of square-cut but rough-faced granite-looking blocks. I don't want to change these.

Has anyone got any bright ideas as regards what might be an effective finish for the bare bricks (or blocks) in the fireplace? I thought of Victorian-looking tiles, but these might look a bit naff, especially as my house is 1950 vintage. Then I thought of just painting the bricks/blocks and then thought that would look naff as well. Has anyone got any other ideas? What have other people done?

 

[noseall]

just one little snippet, make sure your flue is large enough to handle burning wood, as the tar like deposits left behind, when burning wood, can soon choke up an insufficient flue.

 

[Scrit]

Has anyone got any bright ideas as regards what might be an effective finish for the bare bricks (or blocks) in the fireplace? .......I thought of just painting the bricks/blocks and then thought that would look naff as well. Has anyone got any other ideas?

How about painting with a textured exterior wall paint such as Snowcem? This can hold extra sand to give it more texture and comes in a variety of colours.

As to the flue pipe, make sure that you have an access panel so that the flue can be cleaned easily (people do forget this!) and get the flue cleaned twice a year to reduce the chances of a flue pipe fire

Scrit

 

[Handyman]

Actually, the stove is going to be fitted by a "professional". He will sweep the flue (having removed the existing gas liner", fit a new chimney pot, closure plate, and stack pipe. I'm using the existing chimney without a liner as it is in good condition and plenty of droaght, and the stove is only going to be used occasionally.

Now, back to the fireplace: I like the idea of the Sandtex-type finish, but shoudn't the existing blocks be cement screeded first? Otherwise, they'll just look like....well, painted blocks?

 

[Scrit]

Yes, but you can mix sand in with the Snowcem to thicken it and add texture. For anything else you'll have to render.

Scrit

 

[noseall]

sorry to be a bore handyman, but a timber merchant friend of mine only used one of his burners intermittently. because of this, the flue never stayed hot enough to fend off condensation, particularly when starting a fire. within 2 years there was enough crust, on the chimney to only let a mouse crawl through. mind you there were a few twists and turns in his stack!

 

[Scrit]

You're spot-on noseall (Gnosall? <G>) I've had wood burners in a couple of workshops and always been advised to sweep the flues every 6 to 9 months to avoid this problem. A near neigbour of mine installed a wood burner 5 years ago and didn't bother sweeping it that often (once, to be exact). Guess who had a flue fire last year?

Scrit

 

[noseall]

noseall, cause ive got a big nose!

 

[Missdoitall!]

Hi, As you can see i've just joined! I am looking for some advice on installing a log burner. I live in central bham and am sick of energy prices going through the roof!!
I was thinking of installing a log burner. Am i mad or would this be a good idea? I do however live in a smokeless zone. would i be able to do this? HELP!!!!

 

[sidecar_jon]

Energy price wise..ive involentarily gon from gas to coal/wood/peat/anything burnable.... and id say its Ok if your willing to get your own wood to burn but your going to go through a lot of it! basicaly Anthracite is number one, coal then smokeless, then peat then wood... Anthracite can be burnt in a smokeles zone, coal cant and neither can wood. Wood clags up the chimney too, so get soem chimey brushes, and takes some preperation. And cost wise, yesterday i was informed that Antracite had gon up in price "Cos gas has gon up in price".... which is some sort of twisted logic that i cant fathom.

 

[JohnD]

I had a "smoke eater" multifuel iron stove (with water circ for cylinder) a while ago, I have an idea it was Scandinavean.

 

[oilman]

Hi, As you can see i've just joined! I am looking for some advice on installing a log burner. I live in central bham and am sick of energy prices going through the roof!!
I was thinking of installing a log burner. Am i mad or would this be a good idea? I do however live in a smokeless zone. would i be able to do this? HELP!!!!

There are some woodburners which can be used in a smokeless zone like this . Not mad at all, the oil will be in short supply soon, so will gas.

 

[NigelKing]

I've fitted plenty of woodburners but wouldn't dream of fitting one without the correct liner.
The existing gas liner is no good as it's not double skinned. I would seriously consider fitting a liner. Heres why.

With a stove, 80% of the heat goes into the room, with an open fire 80% of the heat goes up the chimney and this means that the smoke from a stove is great deal cooler than from a fireplace. The result of this is that a stove will usually never manage to bring a masonry chimney up to operating temperature. This can mean that the stove will never draw properly, and the cooling smoke will condense, causing excess soot and, more dangerously, tar deposits. Tar deposits are not removed by a sweeps brush and cause chimney fires.
You don't ever want a chimney fire.

 

[bobyboy]

I've fitted plenty of woodburners but wouldn't dream of fitting one without the correct liner.
The existing gas liner is no good as it's not double skinned. I would seriously consider fitting a liner. Heres why.

With a stove, 80% of the heat goes into the room, with an open fire 80% of the heat goes up the chimney and this means that the smoke from a stove is great deal cooler than from a fireplace. The result of this is that a stove will usually never manage to bring a masonry chimney up to operating temperature. This can mean that the stove will never draw properly, and the cooling smoke will condense, causing excess soot and, more dangerously, tar deposits. Tar deposits are not removed by a sweeps brush and cause chimney fires.
You don't ever want a chimney fire.

Nigel i have just brought a invicta inset stove and i am fitting it were my Gas fire is could i use the same flue or not also the cap on top

 

[Estrella]

Nigel i have just brought a invicta inset stove and i am fitting it were my Gas fire is could i use the same flue or not also the cap on top

No you cannot use the same flue. You need a multifuel flue. Have a look at this site > http://www.fluestore.com/index.php .

You will need :
Flexi Flue
Flexi flue to vitreous flue connector
Sleeve for the inside of the flue at the top
Rain Cap
Register plate
Top plate
Top clamp

On saying all of that, if you have a sound, leak free chimney with a decent draw you will just need a register plate and vitreous flue, and remove the existing flue. Get it checked by a HETAS engineer.

EDIT: Sorry, just noticed you have an inset stove, you will need a flexi flue, although you wont need a vitreous flue section.