There are several types of stoves and fireplaces. All are useful, functional and attractive. The following is a short description of each type and the corresponding pipe applications.

Wood fireplaces
Despite building and air quality codes prohibiting traditional wood-burning fireplaces in many communities, they remain immensely popular, offering both an old-style ambiance and an alternate source of heat.

EPA-certified fireplaces
RSF and BIS produce EPA Certified Wood Burning Appliances that heat like a stove but can be open to view like a fireplace. These are zero clearance fireplaces (approved for placement next to combustible surfaces) that can also be used to direct heat to other rooms. These are permittable as wood stoves.

ZC (zero clearance) wood-burning fireplaces
Wood-burning pre-fab fireplaces are zero clearance, decorative and convenient, but are becoming harder to permit. Check with local building codes before ordering. Many are low-cost and easy to install.

Wood-burning fireplace inserts
Inserts slip into the fireplace and use the existing flue to vent. A liner system is required. These are convenient to install and are very efficient. These are the simplest way to increase the heat in a home, and customers report they work well for that purpose. All of our inserts are EPA certified.

Wood-burning stoves
Our Jotul and Avalon wood stoves are EPA-certified airtight stoves. Wood stoves are more efficient than fireplaces, heating spaces from 600 to 2500 square feet. Jotul’s radiant stoves warm the room by radiating heat (as the name implies) while convection stoves (most of Avalon’s line) heat by circulating hot air around the stove and into the room. Radiant stoves work better in rooms with high ceilings better than convection stoves. All stoves have different clearances, and we can assist you in determining clearances.

Gas fireplace inserts
Gas inserts are very convenient, and they can be thermostatically controlled. They use a millivolt valve so they work without electricity, a feature important to most customers shopping for an alternate heat source. Direct Vent inserts use outside air for combustion, the safest and most efficient alternative. The flames are impressive and the inserts are available in many styles.

Gas freestanding stoves
Direct vent gas stoves look like wood stoves but are operated with natural gas or propane. They are very efficient, work without electricity and can be thermostatically controlled. They are very convenient and are great for bedrooms, kitchens or dens. These stoves display lovel flames and do a terrific job of producing heat. Direct vent stoves use outside air for combustion, the safest and most efficient alternative.

Chimney pipe
There are several types of pipe that are used in chimney applications. Each has its function, and some are used in combination.

Wood venting
Class A: Insulated stainless steel pipe. Insulated with 1 inch of ceramic insulation. Required for any wood burning stove (including EPA Certified Fireplaces) when the pipe penetrates walls or ceilings. Also required for any Exterior pipe runs.
Double Wall: required for close clearances. Reduces the distance that a stove must be away from combustible surfaces.
Single Wall: Standard stove pipe, for most applications using interior pipe. Standard pipe is 6”.
Air cooled: Both Double Wall and Triple wall: Pipe that is used for Pre-fab chimneys. Galvanized steel pipe that is built by the manufacturer for their specific products. Most of these pipes are not useable with other manufacturers.
Liners: Usually rigid stainless steel pipe that is used to line an existing chimney for a wood fireplace insert or hearth stove. Some liners are flexible, and liner systems often include both flexible and rigid pieces.

Gas venting
Direct Vent: This system uses air from outside the home for combustion.
A œCo-Axial” system, a pipe that has an inner pipe for exhaust and an outer section for intake, is used for freestanding applications where no fireplace is existing.
A "Co-Linear" system , two flexible pipes running side by side (one for intake and one for exhaust), is used for insert applications where there is already an existing firebox and flue.

œB Vent”: This system uses air from inside the home for combustion. There is a single pipe system for venting gas appliances which can be either rigid or flexible depending on the application.


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