Blog Entry
Kutztown, PA Hand-Built Finnish Contraflow Heater.
October 10, 2008 by admin, under Fire Works Masonry News.
This hand built Finnish contraflow masonry heater warms the center of a masterful Amish timber frame home surrounded by Pennsylvania farmland. The owners designed an energy responsible home including passive and active solar, high insulation ratings, and a masonry heater in the center of the open floor plan. The heater lays between the kitchen and main living space of the home. The thick concrete floor and the massive heater also compose the thermal storage battery for the ample southern exposure windows providing passive solar heat storage .
The clients excavated the heater’s local limestone veneer stone from the partially buried foundation remains of a building on the farm property. Two inch thick bluestone slabs cap the heater and small benches. There is a soapstone mantle above the loading doors. There is an additional small soapstone shelf before the bakeoven door as well as a spacious soapstone preparation counter at waist level. The client also provided clay tiles from a local artist to accent the heater and chimney.
The clients were excited about the many possibilities for the bake oven on the rear of the heater. Fresh scones were the first product.
The heater began with a discussion to determine the best location for the heater in the floor plan. Once the basic location and elements were finalized, detailed concept sketches were reviewed.
The heater starts with the core. Here we see the firebox floor followed by the completed firebox.
Once the core is completed, including the bake oven chamber, the side down draft channels are constructed. Here we see the beginning of the chimney side channel. When both side channels are completed the chimney base begins, as seen here from the kitchen side.
The masonry chimney is constructed and plastered.
After the completion of the core and chimney, the stone veneer starts.
A temporary wooden crosspiece supports the freshly laid hearth in front and cook shelf the rear.
The stone work is completed and capped with local Pennsylvania bluestone.
For more pictures and information on this green home, check out the homeowner’s blog.