Blog Entry
West Chester, PA: Fieldstone Finnish Contraflow Masonry Heater
January 30, 2010 by admin, under Fire Works Masonry News.
This project is a large stone masonry heater in a West Chester, PA home. The family’s old natural gas boiler was due for an expensive repair and servicing or complete replacement. The family decided to go for clean burning masonry heater instead for the home’s primary heat source.
After several design consultations the location and layout of the heater and chimney are determined. The first design was for a basic stone heater with a short bench.
After some deliberation, the family opted for a large stone heater with long bench runs. This heater would aesthetically and functionally better suit the space available.
The heater layout is finalized in the space. The heater’s rear wall will replace a load bearing beam so special design attention is placed on structural considerations as well as meeting or exceeding building codes.
The job begins with some demolition. A non-load bearing framed wall and flooring are removed to prepare for the heater installation.
A load bearing, steel reinforced concrete pad is tied into the existing concrete floor. This will be the base for the new heater construction. The heater starts with a load bearing block wall behind the heater. This will serve as the rear wall of the heater as well as support the floor above.
The heater’s core begins next. The construction goes quickly with the use of a Heat Kit core.
The core is completed as well as the base of the chimney up to the chimney shut-off damper. The chimney is lined with firebrick splits.
Next the internal masonry for the long heated benches are constructed. The benches are built using 8×12″ clay flue tile liners as well as firebrick channels for the more intricate bench turns. The multiple ash clean-out doors are visible.
With the core and heat exchange channels completed, the stone veneer starts.
The pictures below show the completed side stone panel as well as the bake-oven arch and large bluestone door lintel.
The heated benches are faced and capped in stone.
The heater doors are mounted to the stonework.
The colorful completed stone chimney.
Fire Works Masonry