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Freestanding Stoves and Fireplaces
Gas stoves
Looking much like their wood-burning counterparts, most gas stoves require venting through a metal chimney. Like manufactured gas fireplaces and inserts, gas stoves may be direct-vent, B-vent, or vent-free. Most burn natural gas, but many offer a conversion kit for burning propane. At least one manufacturer offers a highly durable ceramic burner; most stoves feature steel tube burners.
Options available with a gas stove are nonelectric ignition systems, fans, wall thermostats, and remote controls. Although in many older models a high flame meant high heat, some stoves now vent out excess heat, so you can have high flames with less heat. You can even program ON and OFF times on some models.
Electric stoves
Electric stoves have all the same qualities, attributes, and drawbacks as their manufactured fireplace counterparts. They're clean, portable, and simple to operate -- just plug in and enjoy. They require no venting or clearances from combustible surfaces, and they are being manufactured to look much like their wood- and gas-fired counterparts. Of course, their "flames" don't give you the same ambience as a real or even a gas fire, but they can be used everywhere, from a trailer to a tenth-story condo.
European fireplaces
Made of heavy soapstone that absorbs heat from a short, hot fire, freestanding European fireplaces radiate warmth gently into the room for 12 to 24 hours. Depending on their size, some models can heat up to 2,000 square feet. They may be vented from the sides, rear, or top through masonry, poured-in-place, or prefab chimneys.
These heaters, pictured on pages 15 and 82, feature clean-burning technology like that of wood stoves. Most have interior channels that circulate heat so it warms the fireplace walls. You can view the fire through glass doors on the firebox. Some feature bake ovens, too.
Hearth pads
For safety, a wood stove must sit on a noncombustible base; the manufacturer's installation directions dictate how large this should be. The base can be a concrete slab (either bare or with a decorative surface of tile or brick), ceramic or stone tile on top of cement underlayment board, or a prefabricated stove board or mat. A stone slab of sufficient thickness is another option, as are floor plates of steel and even clear tempered glass.
The stove must also be a prescribed distance from any combustible wall, unless the wall is protected with a panel of brick, stone, or cement board, or with a stove shield. Your stove dealer can advise you as to what is needed for your situation.
Some pellet and gas stoves can be installed directly over any floor surface except linoleum and carpeting, while others require a hearth pad or floor plate. Some clearance from walls is usually required for stoves; check the manufacturer's installation directions.
Looking much like their wood-burning counterparts, most gas stoves require venting through a metal chimney. Like manufactured gas fireplaces and inserts, gas stoves may be direct-vent, B-vent, or vent-free. Most burn natural gas, but many offer a conversion kit for burning propane. At least one manufacturer offers a highly durable ceramic burner; most stoves feature steel tube burners.
Options available with a gas stove are nonelectric ignition systems, fans, wall thermostats, and remote controls. Although in many older models a high flame meant high heat, some stoves now vent out excess heat, so you can have high flames with less heat. You can even program ON and OFF times on some models.
Electric stoves
Electric stoves have all the same qualities, attributes, and drawbacks as their manufactured fireplace counterparts. They're clean, portable, and simple to operate -- just plug in and enjoy. They require no venting or clearances from combustible surfaces, and they are being manufactured to look much like their wood- and gas-fired counterparts. Of course, their "flames" don't give you the same ambience as a real or even a gas fire, but they can be used everywhere, from a trailer to a tenth-story condo.
European fireplaces
Made of heavy soapstone that absorbs heat from a short, hot fire, freestanding European fireplaces radiate warmth gently into the room for 12 to 24 hours. Depending on their size, some models can heat up to 2,000 square feet. They may be vented from the sides, rear, or top through masonry, poured-in-place, or prefab chimneys.
These heaters, pictured on pages 15 and 82, feature clean-burning technology like that of wood stoves. Most have interior channels that circulate heat so it warms the fireplace walls. You can view the fire through glass doors on the firebox. Some feature bake ovens, too.
Hearth pads
For safety, a wood stove must sit on a noncombustible base; the manufacturer's installation directions dictate how large this should be. The base can be a concrete slab (either bare or with a decorative surface of tile or brick), ceramic or stone tile on top of cement underlayment board, or a prefabricated stove board or mat. A stone slab of sufficient thickness is another option, as are floor plates of steel and even clear tempered glass.
The stove must also be a prescribed distance from any combustible wall, unless the wall is protected with a panel of brick, stone, or cement board, or with a stove shield. Your stove dealer can advise you as to what is needed for your situation.
Some pellet and gas stoves can be installed directly over any floor surface except linoleum and carpeting, while others require a hearth pad or floor plate. Some clearance from walls is usually required for stoves; check the manufacturer's installation directions.
