While we were working on the rot repair for the east-facing exterior wall, we were also gathering parts for the stove, and watching YouTube tutorials on how to install a wood stove. My dad has been in construction for many years but installing wood stoves in Santa Barbara never came up for him.
This is what we started with. We knew we had to move the hole further from the exterior wall because we decided not to use a fire shield. Starting over also felt safer, and cleaner.
We took apart the chimney and started making cuts to remove all the old parts with shiny new ones.
The natural light spilling in from our hole in the roof was so wonderful to see. It reinforced the necessity of putting in a window on the east wall of the living room/kitchen. Because of the orientation of the barn, the ADU has no south-facing windows so getting light in is extra important.
The Boss standing on the sawhorse he made, just being a Boss. I'll show the sawhorse construction in a future post but Dad made all the cuts in his wood shop back home so we had an easy assembly.
We hung a plumb bob to find center, and once we figured out how far from the wall the stove would safely sit, and at what angle, we expanded and shifted the hole in the roof and closed up where we needed.
All the parts fit nicely and we caulked everywhere. The red caulk is for high heat and I didn't realize it would be red until we were already in it. I do wish it was clear instead, but it doesn't keep me up at night. We found extra roof shingles in the barn that don't completely match but we used them for the patch job.
I love the view from the roof. In the warmer months, I sometimes sit up there and watch the birds and listen to the poplar leaves blowing in the wind.
Nearly there. I think we were still without the correct connection part at this stage. The ceiling is drywalled, and lastly, we will hook up the chimney connector, triple-check that everything is lined up then secure the feet to the concrete.
Mom captured us feeling very proud. This is currently my only source of heat, except for a supplemental plug-in oil heater I use infrequently. I'll put in a heat pump once I have access to the new Washington State rebates.
I'm also going to put in a firewood storage cabinet or shelving next to the stove, but I haven't settled on placement yet. Also, I've been distracted with redoing a brick patio at the main house.
I love my wood stove, and the heat it puts off is so luxurious. But keeping it rolling through the long and cold winter nights is a science I have not yet mastered. Depending on my wood delivery and the species I have available, I can keep the house warm until the early morning before the sun rises, which is usually when I stoke it up again.
Thanks for reading along, I'm so happy you're here.
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