*
I am building a decent size stone fireplace–42″ X 42″opening, Rumford style—and have been toying with the idea of using a stainless steel chimney. The fireplace is in the center of a large dairy barn that we have turned into a house so the chimney needs to be quite tall–26′ from smoke chamber. I was prepared to go traditional with ceramic and block but have been seduced by the apparent ease of new steel systems. Also, in FHB a few months back they featured a house in the North West that used this sysytem. Also, in Colorado I have seen homes that combine masonry firplaces with metal chimneys.
In our area steel is only used for wood stoves not fireplaces and the only info that I have is what the manufactures have supplied. Can anybody provide some advice, is it worth the expense of steel or should I start humping block?
Replies
*
I am building a decent size stone fireplace--42" X 42"opening, Rumford style---and have been toying with the idea of using a stainless steel chimney. The fireplace is in the center of a large dairy barn that we have turned into a house so the chimney needs to be quite tall--26' from smoke chamber. I was prepared to go traditional with ceramic and block but have been seduced by the apparent ease of new steel systems. Also, in FHB a few months back they featured a house in the North West that used this sysytem. Also, in Colorado I have seen homes that combine masonry firplaces with metal chimneys.
In our area steel is only used for wood stoves not fireplaces and the only info that I have is what the manufactures have supplied. Can anybody provide some advice, is it worth the expense of steel or should I start humping block?
*
How long do you plan to stay? I think that most stainless steel systems have a warranty period (20 years?) far less than the expected life of masonry materials. Just a thought in case you're in it for the long haul.
Obie
*We built a large masonry fireplace and ran into this problem. Our large opening (10.5 sq ft), by code, meant a 14" diameter or larger flue. The stainless steel flue we looked at came in 14" but it was only rated at 1700 degrees, vs 2100 degrees of smaller pipe. Code required 1800 degrees. So...we ended up humping block and brick and more block and more brick and...