Hello everyone,
we are currently building a townhouse and are also planning to include a fireplace. To cover everything in the execution planning, we are now focusing on the fireplace design. In our house, between the living and dining rooms (41 m² (440 sq ft)), there is a corner where the masonry chimney will be installed and where the fireplace is supposed to be.
The planned fireplace should:
- fit into our corner (1.00 x 1.27 m (3.3 x 4.2 ft), including the chimney)
- offer a view of the flames through a two-sided glass
- provide gentle radiant heat
- store heat for as long as possible; ≥ 6-10 hours (my parents have a hypocaust system)
- ideally have a modern look, with a stepped design over two levels and an overhang for the chimney to visually integrate it # link removed by moderation; building expert
Now, two fireplace installers have presented us with completely different concepts. One wants to sell us a warm air stove with storage (e.g., a fireplace insert from the company Spartherm Varia 1 V-4S with magnetic storage, possibly also a fireplace insert with storage). The other offered a fireplace with double-chamber storage technology without warm air circulation (e.g., Rüegg Venus). Both concepts are similarly priced around 8,000 EUR plus.
What do you think? Which concept stores heat longer and offers better quality? The installer with the warm air stove said we wouldn’t manage with a closed system within our space and budget and that his system stores heat for a very long time as well. The colleague with the storage fireplace said that the warm air stove alone can only store about 3 hours architecturally, even if fully equipped with storage.
Thanks and best regards, Redsonic
we are currently building a townhouse and are also planning to include a fireplace. To cover everything in the execution planning, we are now focusing on the fireplace design. In our house, between the living and dining rooms (41 m² (440 sq ft)), there is a corner where the masonry chimney will be installed and where the fireplace is supposed to be.
The planned fireplace should:
- fit into our corner (1.00 x 1.27 m (3.3 x 4.2 ft), including the chimney)
- offer a view of the flames through a two-sided glass
- provide gentle radiant heat
- store heat for as long as possible; ≥ 6-10 hours (my parents have a hypocaust system)
- ideally have a modern look, with a stepped design over two levels and an overhang for the chimney to visually integrate it # link removed by moderation; building expert
Now, two fireplace installers have presented us with completely different concepts. One wants to sell us a warm air stove with storage (e.g., a fireplace insert from the company Spartherm Varia 1 V-4S with magnetic storage, possibly also a fireplace insert with storage). The other offered a fireplace with double-chamber storage technology without warm air circulation (e.g., Rüegg Venus). Both concepts are similarly priced around 8,000 EUR plus.
What do you think? Which concept stores heat longer and offers better quality? The installer with the warm air stove said we wouldn’t manage with a closed system within our space and budget and that his system stores heat for a very long time as well. The colleague with the storage fireplace said that the warm air stove alone can only store about 3 hours architecturally, even if fully equipped with storage.
Thanks and best regards, Redsonic
Yes, there are also some stove makers near us who design and build custom masonry heaters. I had a very good initial meeting last week. Since we want a small seating area, our heater will probably be about 2m long (6.5 feet).
If your masonry heater can extend up to the ceiling, one might be possible for you as well. However, I think there are significantly more stove builders active in the south than in Brandenburg. Alternatively, you could check out the stove builders mentioned by Tom1607 who work nationwide in Germany. An initial, non-binding consultation about your situation is always free, and you would find out whether a masonry heater is even a feasible option for your space.
If your masonry heater can extend up to the ceiling, one might be possible for you as well. However, I think there are significantly more stove builders active in the south than in Brandenburg. Alternatively, you could check out the stove builders mentioned by Tom1607 who work nationwide in Germany. An initial, non-binding consultation about your situation is always free, and you would find out whether a masonry heater is even a feasible option for your space.