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I heat a barn (literally) in Central Vermont — 32′ ceiling, 2500 square feet — using a VT Castings Defiant II woodstove. The Defiant is great, but its heat retention is marginal.
Currently it sits on a brick surround — 4′ up the wall, 6′ wide, 5′ into the living room — which adds some thermal mass, but doesn’t retain heat well.
I’ve looked at soapstone masonry heaters (pricey!), and soapstone stoves (ugly, in my humble opinion), but am considering replacing the brick surround with a soapstone surround. Here are some questions — any/all input is appreciated:
1. Has anyone ever done this? Did you use large pieces of soapstone or 12 x 12 tiles?
2. I assume expoxy thinset and epoxy grout are the materials to use — anyone have any thoughts otherwise?
3. The tiles are 1/2″ thick, but pieces are 1 1/4″ thick. How much heat retention will be lost, if any, using the tiles instead of the thicker pieces (assuming the mathematical difference between 1/2″ and 1 1/4″ isn’t the difference).
4. General thoughts about this idea — is it worth it?
Any info is appreciated, particularly from anyone who has done this. If you’re in the New England area in driving distance to central VT, email me directly if you’re interested in the job. I’d rather hire a pro.
Thanks.
Replies
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I heat a barn (literally) in Central Vermont -- 32' ceiling, 2500 square feet -- using a VT Castings Defiant II woodstove. The Defiant is great, but its heat retention is marginal.
Currently it sits on a brick surround -- 4' up the wall, 6' wide, 5' into the living room -- which adds some thermal mass, but doesn't retain heat well.
I've looked at soapstone masonry heaters (pricey!), and soapstone stoves (ugly, in my humble opinion), but am considering replacing the brick surround with a soapstone surround. Here are some questions -- any/all input is appreciated:
1. Has anyone ever done this? Did you use large pieces of soapstone or 12 x 12 tiles?
2. I assume expoxy thinset and epoxy grout are the materials to use -- anyone have any thoughts otherwise?
3. The tiles are 1/2" thick, but pieces are 1 1/4" thick. How much heat retention will be lost, if any, using the tiles instead of the thicker pieces (assuming the mathematical difference between 1/2" and 1 1/4" isn't the difference).
4. General thoughts about this idea -- is it worth it?
Any info is appreciated, particularly from anyone who has done this. If you're in the New England area in driving distance to central VT, email me directly if you're interested in the job. I'd rather hire a pro.
Thanks.