Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - 2 way Wood Fireplace Conversion
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olson2334
05-14-07, 07:13 PM
Hello,
I am in the very early stages of building a home (Foundation walls in). I have access to a 2-way wood fireplace that is in good shape that I would like to convert it into a gas fireplace. Can someone explain if this is possible and what would be needed in order to do this? What sort of ventilation would i need, how about an exmample of a kit to do the conversion? Is it expensive?
Since this would be in a 2x4 wall, do you put a mantle of some sorts in since the wall is much smaller than the fireplace?
Any information you could provide would be great.
Thanks.
I am in the very early stages of building a home (Foundation walls in). I have access to a 2-way wood fireplace that is in good shape that I would like to convert it into a gas fireplace. Can someone explain if this is possible and what would be needed in order to do this? What sort of ventilation would i need, how about an exmample of a kit to do the conversion? Is it expensive?
Since this would be in a 2x4 wall, do you put a mantle of some sorts in since the wall is much smaller than the fireplace?
Any information you could provide would be great.
Thanks.
olson2334
05-16-07, 10:04 AM
I just wanted to post what I found out last night which seems to contradict some of what I read. That is, if i am reading it correctly.
I went to Home and Hearth last night and they said the only way I could convert this 2 way fireplace would be to buy 2 of these 16 inch fireplaces and put one on each side. This was extremely expensive and didn't allow for the see through affect of having a 2 way fireplace. I could have darn near bought 2 brand new gas 2 way fireplaces for what they wanted to attempt to convert this thing.
Maybe i had wishful thinking here, but I thought you could simply put a chimmney in to vent the fireplace, put in some sort of insert which contained the mechanism to output the gas and ignite it and you would be good to go? Is what this guy told me at Home and Hearth correct?
Thanks.
I went to Home and Hearth last night and they said the only way I could convert this 2 way fireplace would be to buy 2 of these 16 inch fireplaces and put one on each side. This was extremely expensive and didn't allow for the see through affect of having a 2 way fireplace. I could have darn near bought 2 brand new gas 2 way fireplaces for what they wanted to attempt to convert this thing.
Maybe i had wishful thinking here, but I thought you could simply put a chimmney in to vent the fireplace, put in some sort of insert which contained the mechanism to output the gas and ignite it and you would be good to go? Is what this guy told me at Home and Hearth correct?
Thanks.
Concretemasonry
05-16-07, 10:33 AM
2 way fireplaces are notorious for not drawing well and letting fumes into the adjacect rooms. Fortunately, with wood, you know(smell) about the situation and when the wood is consumed, the problem goes away. With gas, the problems are not apparent and the fuel source is infinite. Carbon monoxide(CO) is lethal. Did the dealer mention the problems with venting and safety?
For comfort, economy and safety, it is hard to beat the new direct vent inserts (80+% efficiency), but apparently they are not very economical in a double sided version.
Just gas log in a double sided fireplace could be a real problem and possibly not leagal, so it could be a costly investment to put it into a new home.
Dick
For comfort, economy and safety, it is hard to beat the new direct vent inserts (80+% efficiency), but apparently they are not very economical in a double sided version.
Just gas log in a double sided fireplace could be a real problem and possibly not leagal, so it could be a costly investment to put it into a new home.
Dick