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Chimney & Fireplaces/Two sided fireplace options?

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Expert: - 2/16/2008


Question
Bart, What a terrific service. Thanks for you time.  My question relates to a renovation.  I have taken down an existing fireplace and chimney and am starting over. The original was two sided (had two fireboxes and one flue which was unlined) Now you see why I took it down. I would like to be able to design a fireplace that can be visible from both sides (dining room/living room) but many are telling me they work very poorly. I am building from the ground up so I have some flexibility.  Should I just stick w/ 2 seperate fireboxes and 2 flues or is there a way to design a double sided fireplace properly.  (Without an insert as I don't like inserts) Any input is appreciated and any direction to additional resources for design ideas would be great too. Thanks

Answer
Hi Peter,

2-sided fireplaces can work if you have enough venting area, an outside combustion air supply and a properly designed breast and smoke chamber assembly.

You'll need to make sure the smoke chamber area is smooth.

Calculate the opening area of both fireplace openings and you'll need 10% of that opening in cross-sectional inches of venting area.

I would recommend using round, insulated metal chimney for the flue and a top-mounted damper assembly.

I would recommend outside combustion air be installed to feed the fireplace during operation.

Additionally, I would recommend high-quality doors such as those made by Stoll Fireplace Equipment, Inc.

Depending on where you are located, I might be able to point you to a local source for constructing this fireplace.  It's typically not something the average mason will be able to construct correctly.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc.
Wichita, KS
Voice: 316-265-9828
Fax: 316-265-9890
www.homesafeks.com  

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Bart Ogden

Expertise

I can answer questions related to chimney and fireplace cleaning, construction and repair as well as questions related to the performance of chimneys and fireplaces. I can also answer questions related to clothes dryer vent cleaning and repair. Additionally, I can field questions related to masonry repair.

Experience


Experience in the area:
28 years experience in the chimney service/installation/repair field
President, Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc. Wichita, Kansas

Professional Organizations:
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG)
Member, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA)
Member, Kansas Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps (KGPCS)
Member, Midwest Chimney Safety Council (MCSC)
Member, Kansas Association of Real Estate Inspectors (KAREI)
Past At-Large Director of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past At-Large Director of the Chimney Safety Institute of America
Past Secretary, National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past Secretary, Chimney Safety Institute of America
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild Technical Advisory Council
Member, Chimney Safety Institute of America Certification Committee
Past Chairman, CSIA Chimney Safety Education Brochures Committee
Past Chairman, NCSG Nomination Committee

Publications:
SWEEPING Magazine, The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technoloty, A Publication of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
SNEWS, The Chimney Sweep News
THE KANSAS SWEEP, The Voice of the KS Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps

Education/Credentials:
BA, Wichita State University
C.S.I.A. Certified Chimney Sweep
C.S.I.A. Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician
N.F.I. Woodburning Specialist
N.F.I. Gas Specialist
Chimney Diagnosis & Documentation Seminar
Ahren's Masonry Restoration School Graduate
Advanced Gas Certification
Master Gas Certification
Licensed Mechanical Contractor
Pellet Appliance Specialist
Venting Design Specialist
Dale Carnegie Course Graduate

Awards and Honors:
Superior Dealer Award, Ventinox Chimney Lining Systems

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