We have recently purchased a woodstove (barrel type kind of small) to heat a 200 sq. ft room and possibly the garage. We are needing to know what is the best way to install the chimney. Through the ceiling (which would involved going through the ceiling and the pitched metal roof) or through the wall? Which is better and how much does it cost. Since i will do the work myself, I would like the easiest (of course) but also want to the best method. Also, I am not one who has every tool made, so it has to also be do-able with what tools I have. I thank you in advance for your input and advise.

-- Jonathan Sanchez (jonathan_sz@yahoo.com), October 09, 2001

Answers

What does the manufacture say about chimney? Start there for info. Next check with your insurance company, what do they require? Some will not allow self installs.

As soon as you puncture the roof, you have a whole lots of issues about sealing around the hole. A metal roof complicates this even more. Going through a wall may work but you still have to get the chimney up high enough to clear the roof for a good draw. This may or may not be possible going though the wall.

-- Gary (gws@redbird.net), October 09, 2001.

When we installed our chimney we were told that the less bends in it, the less places for the creosote to really build up. Apparently it tends to collect more in bends than in straight pipe. While installing ours, we discovered that the new addition roof was put directly over the old roof, shingles and all about 2 feet higher. We cut the first hole and couldn't understand why we weren't anywhere close to the roof. The only way my husband could figure to mark the roof for cutting in the correct place (all measurments were off becxause of the old roof) was to stick his shotgun up the hole in the ceiling and shoot. It put a hole in the roof exactly where the hole needed to be. It worked but I would not recommend this method to others. I left when I realised what he was planning. We have always been unconventional in our methods but this was a bit much even for us. It turned out great though, our wood cookstove has gotten lots of use and we love it. Joanie

-- Joanie (ber-gust@prodigy.net), October 09, 2001.

My sweetie (now Hubby) installed my airtight woodstove in '99. We just followed the directions for clearances and such in the manual. We sent ours straight up through the roof, no bends. It drafts wonderfully and there is almost no creosote buildup at all. If I had it to do again I would go through the wall though. We had a heck of a time getting the roof sealed around it so it doesn't leak. Also, make sure that the flue extends at least 2 feet taller than the tallest part of the roof. We did, and that is why it drafts so well and there is never any blowback down the flue. We had the city inspector come and give it the A-OK after we were done so the insurance company would be happy. If you did't get it square with your insurance company and your house caught fire, you'd probably have to pay for all repairs out of your pocket.

We love our woodstove! After we got it inspected I invited the sweetie over, started a fire in the stove, opened a bottle of wine and ...well lets just say I thanked him properly for all the good work he did. :) Enjoy!

-- debra in ks (windfish@toto.net), October 09, 2001.