Placement for new wood stove

[Lee Spencer]

We would like to install a wood stove in the living room of our small 3 season cottage in the Catskills. There isn't any fireplace now so we can put it either in the corner or in the middle of the wall more like where a fireplace would be--we like the middle of the wall but are worried it will take up too much space, especially in summer when we don't need it. Any thoughts about this?

We are looking at the Jotul F3CB--has anyone had any problems with this stove?

 

[anlrolfe]

I'd think about the venting as the #1 issue.
The flue will be best if it exits the roof near the ridge line minimizing or eliminating the need for external support.
The flue will need to extend above the ridge anyway (check codes and standards) so room placement may be more of an issue of the chimney location.
Dealing with external brackets and supports can be a PITA and being outside the chimney runs cooler condensing more creosote.

 

[sawjunky23]

I'd think about the venting as the #1 issue.
The flue will be best if it exits the roof near the ridge line minimizing or eliminating the need for external support.
The flue will need to extend above the ridge anyway (check codes and standards) so room placement may be more of an issue of the chimney location.
Dealing with external brackets and supports can be a PITA and being outside the chimney runs cooler condensing more creosote.

+1 and the stainless chimney is spendy so the less you have to use the better. The farther u get from the peak of your roof the more you are going to use.

 

[Whitespider]

I'd put it as close as possible to where you bring the wood in, carry ashes out.
And I wouldn't bother with a stainless steel chimney for a three-season cottage neither.
But that's just me.
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[Marine5068]

Chimney installation has a building code specification standard so it's not just as easy as putting it here or there and making it any length.
It really depends on a number of factors. Type or class of chimney, roof pitch and of course best locations inside the home or cottage.
A general rule, the top of the pipe(not including the cap) has to be two feet above the highest point of the roof, within ten feet of that highest point horizontally.
Also the minimum height of the chimney pipe(not including the cap) can be no shorter than 3 feet above the roof opening for the pipe.
If this sounds confusing, then just Google "stainless chimney pipe installation" to see examples.
Good luck with the new stove and chimney install.

 

[Oldman47]

As Marine5068 said, the 2 feet above the highest point within 10 feet pretty much defines how much chimney pipe there will be, unless your roof is quite wide. What that means in terms of buying expensive chimney pipe is that your chimney top will be the same height regardless of placement although the part showing above the roof surface will vary with location. The added bracing required when a chimney extends more than 5 feet above the roof surface will add expense but there is no added chimney pipe to buy when you get near a roof peak. In fact costs, due to those braces, increase as you move away from the peak. Place the stove based on other criteria such as heating efficiency or, as WS suggested , convenience. Unless you have a difficult chimney pipe path, costs won't change much with location.

 

[Whitespider]

Chimney installation has a building code specification standard so it's not just as easy as putting it here or there and making it any length.

It's not?? Everywhere??
Well, where I live, it is that easy if installing a wood stove in an existing structure. "Code" only applies to new construction and licensed contractors. Three years after construction, the home/building owner can do whatever he sees fit, including doing his own electrical, plumbing and HVAC work (no post inspection required). It has a legal term here, it's called "owner responsibility"; meaning you can do as you see fit, but you, and you alone, are responsible for what happens afterwards... no whining.

We really need to be careful when speaking of "codes", "standards", and whatnot... "codes", as well as who's required to follow them, change from state-to-state, county-to-county, town-to-town.
*

 

[sawjunky23]

It's not?? Everywhere??
Well, where I live, it is that easy if installing a wood stove in an existing structure. "Code" only applies to new construction and licensed contractors. Three years after construction, the home/building owner can do whatever he sees fit, including doing his own electrical, plumbing and HVAC work (no post inspection required). It has a legal term here, it's called "owner responsibility"; meaning you can do as you see fit, but you, and you alone, are responsible for what happens afterwards... no whining.

We really need to be careful when speaking of "codes", "standards", and whatnot... "codes", as well as who's required to follow them, change from state-to-state, county-to-county, town-to-town.
*

lol...lookout Spidey we might be going down the same path as we did on that EPA wood stove regulation /property devaluation/septic system code thread!

 

[Marine5068]

As Lee stated, it is new construction so his installation would be classed as a new install under the US National Building Code and may require a building permit.
How large is your cottage Lee? Is it a single level and would there be any difficulty directing the chimney either straight up and through the roof or eaves (if your run it through the wall our then up)?
Other things to watch out for would be any system infrastructures that would inhibit the chimney's path through the walls or ceiling, attic and roof structure.
Examples would be plumbing lines, electrical wires or HVAC duct-work. Also structural elements in the way such as wall lintels or ceiling beams.

 

[Whitespider]

As Lee stated, it is new construction so his installation would be classed as a new install under the US National Building Code...

The US Code?? The US Code is voluntary, not mandatory... local governments may adopt it as is, modify it as they see fit, or ignore it totally. It is true that most major cities in the US have adopted it for simplicity reasons (last I knew, Chicago has not)... but that don't hold near as true for small towns and rural areas. Lee said the "cottage" is in the Catskills, did he not??

Again... codes vary from location to location. Where I live, putting a wood stove (space heater) in an existing structure would not be classified as new construction... but, installing a permanent chimney (such as brick or masonry) would be. A homeowner, simply running a vent pipe from a space heater would not require any permit, inspection, or whatnot. Heck, I could run single-wall pipe out a window and leave it well short of the roof line if I wanted... "owner responsibility". I can build a pole shed without any restrictions, as long as it's not placed on a "permanent" foundation. But, the "rules" may be different in the next county over...just 4 miles from me.

"Code" is not universal throughout the United States... the Constitution does not give federal government authority to enforce a "national" building code.
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[sawjunky23]

We may or may not have ran single wall out a window at my in laws for a party this winter.

 

[Lee Spencer]

Thanks for all your comments... You have given me a lot to think about. The cottage is old, not new construction. the deed says 1820. Low ceilings two floors. I think we will put the stove in the middle of the wall with the chimney going beside the peak of the roof.