We are adding an addition to our former vacation home, now permanent residence and are planning on installing a double sided fireplace between the old living room and the new kitchen. This will be a masonry fireplace which we do not want to have glass doors, just screens. I know this is not energy efficient but we like the sound and smell of a real wood fireplace and besides we have a wood burning stove that we have used for years to supplement the heating system. The question is that in the old living room we have a cathedral ceiling, the fireplace will be on the low edge of a 4/12 with a ridge height of about 13′. The new side will a 8′ flat ceiling. We have heard from a fireplace dealer [metal box fireplaces] that because of the ceiling differences we can expect problems in a proper draw and chances of a very uneven burn. I suggested that perhaps a glass door on one side would correct the problem but he did not have an answer. Does anybody have any suggestions.
Thanks,
Sportdog
Replies
I'm just taking a blind stab at this until some better answers come along: You could provide an outside air inlet at the bottom of the hearth (I would do this on any fireplace anyway) and that should help it draw. I would think what's happening at the base of the fire box is more important than room ceiling height. If you imagine everything upside down and the fireplace and flue as a funnel, the water will run out no matter what shape the top (now bottom) of the tank the funnel is in. What's important is keeping the flow going by having higher pressure inside than outside (i.e., by providing combustion air at the base of the fire). Just some thoughts.
Edited 3/11/2005 7:49 am ET by Danno
Be sure the mason you hire to build the fireplace has built this type before and speak with the HO's who have used it. Double sided units are very tempermental and difficult to build. I have seen many more failures than successes. They are great when they work and awful reminders of wasted $ when they don't.
F
You run the risk of drafts from one side through the other if not careful. That'll put smoke into the room. Glazing one side should prevent that.