Adding a Fireplace

Hi, On this snowy morning, I am missing having a fireplace in my home. Has anyone added a wood-burning or gas fireplace to a home that did not have one? And does anyone know if there are any building codes regarding this in Maplewood? Also wondering if anyone has recommendations for a reputable company that may complete this work? Thanks in advance. 


I've thought about this myself, especially as a back-up form of heat. But with our gas line on the opposite side of the house from where I'd put a fireplace, it's likely very impractical in my case. 

If you do move forward with it, I would be curious about costs and other considerations!


sprout said:

I've thought about this myself, especially as a back-up form of heat. But with our gas line on the opposite side of the house from where I'd put a fireplace, it's likely very impractical in my case. 

If you do move forward with it, I would be curious about costs and other considerations!

I understand it's not a fireplace suggestion but I would like to suggest an easier alternative. Radiant heating mats under an area rug.

I have to work in a little 7x9 room that has two walls of windows and is situated above an unenclosed outdoor crawlspace. The radiator that is supposed to keep it warm has never worked well. It was miserable the past 2 winters so I decided to try one more thing and it is working pretty well so far this weekend.

It consists of a reflective mat on the bottom and on top of that is a mat of thin heating coils that plugs in at a wall socket with a thermostat. I found an inexpensive area rug as the top layer. I like the warm feeling in my toes when I'm in my stocking feet. It was easy to do. And inexpensive.

It definitely wouldn't have the visual appeal of a nice mantel and glowing embers though. I can show you if you want.


@sprout  When we had a new heating system installed in our attic, they ran the gas line from our basement all the way up to the 3rd floor, so I don't think your gas line location would be an issue.

As far as installing a fireplace, putting in a gas fireplace is much less complicated than installing a wood burning one, since it's easier to exhaust it to the outside.  Chimneys and the importance of the draw with wood burning fireplaces (and wood stoves) make it challenging, and I would assume, more expensive.


You could add a ventless stand alone fireplace.  Something like this:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Pleasant-Hearth-20-000-BTU-36-in-Compact-Convertible-Ventless-Natural-Gas-Fireplace-in-Cherry-VFF-PH20NG-C1/304094513?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US

Also try the Fireplace store in Summit, they might have ideas\resources for you to contact.

Regards,

RCH


rch2330 said:

You could add a ventless stand alone fireplace.  Something like this:

Also try the Fireplace store in Summit, they might have ideas\resources for you to contact.

Regards,

RCH

Absolutely check out a place like that store in Summit. If you're okay with running a gas stove for a while, this model should work for you then. Some do not like the way this kind of model smells.

https://fireplacetips.com/vented-vs-ventless-fireplaces/


PeterWick, would your heated mat be ok on a wood floor?  Would not damage a fairly recent modern finish (2007)? 

I ask because when we bought this house, the wood floors were imprinted with the pattern from a rubbery rug pad, and since then a floor was also scorched by a heated doormat-sized foot warmer with i think a rubber back.

Thanks for info (or best guess).  We had the pleasure of living with a heated (tile) floor for a little while overseas, and your heater sounds like a great thing.


when we moved here in 2008 we knocked down the wall in the den so we can have the fireplace in the living room and den. Had to get approval from the town before the work even started and have a structural engineer opine. A lot of work but worth it to have a see through fireplace   


This is the company I went with after looking around a bit. The room I was looking to heat had some cheap carpet tiles laid down over the plywood subfloor. I just purchased the reflective underlayment and the heating coil mat. I put it all down over the carpet tiles. I don't know about the possibility of the base layer mat affecting the floor's finish but they do note that the pad is made with hardwood floor in mind. Here's the installation tips sheet. 

Step 3 does say: Lay the correct side facing down towards the flooring (white side down for carpet, or flip it to the gray side down for use on hardwood floors).

https://cozywinters.com/shop/rugbuddy-under-rug-heater.html


WOODLANDDIRECT sells ventless gas fireplaces. This one is under $1000.

Of course running a gas line would need a permit. They use flex pipe. 


Jaytee said:

WOODLANDDIRECT sells ventless gas fireplaces. This one is under $1000.

Of course running a gas line would need a permit. They use flex pipe. 

That does look nice.



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