Wood Inserts: Give Your Masonry Fireplace a Second Life

How to calculate your heating area before buying a heater Before you pick a wood stove, fireplace, or furnace, you need to know how much space you want to heat. Once you have that number, it gets much easier to filter products and choose a model that fits your home instead of guessing. Step 1: Calculate your theoretical heating area The “theoretical” heating area is your starting point. It is based on the size of your floors and where the appliance will be installed. If you only want to heat one floor Your heating area is simply the area of that floor. Example:A single storey house that is 30 ft by 30 ft. 30 ft x 30 ft = 900 sq ft So your theoretical heating area is 900 sq ft. If you want to heat two floors Start with: 100% of the floor where the unit is installed plus 50% of the floor above Example:You install the unit in the basement of a house with 900 sq ft per floor. Basement: 100% of 900 sq ft = 900 sq ft Main floor: 50% of 900 sq ft = 450 sq ft Total theoretical heating area:900 + 450 = 1,350 sq ft So you should look for a unit that can heat at least 1,350 sq ft. If you want to heat more than two floors Use the same logic, but you add one more level: 100% of the floor where the appliance is installed plus 50% of the middle floor plus 25% of the upper floor Example:You install the unit in the basement of a three storey house with 900 sq ft per floor. Basement: 100% of 900 sq ft = 900 sq ft Main floor: 50% of 900 sq ft = 450 sq ft Second floor: 25% of 900 sq ft = 225 sq ft Total theoretical heating area:900 + 450 + 225 = 1,575 sq ft At this stage, you know the basic area your heater needs to cover. The next step is to adjust this number for real life. Step 2: Adjust to get your real heating area Now you take the theoretical number and add a “comfort margin” to get your real heating area. This accounts for how your home actually behaves in winter. Here is what you need to consider. Insulation levelThe better your home is insulated, the more heat it will keep inside. Things that affect insulation include: How many doors and windows you have The type and quality of those doors and windows Their orientation (for example, large north facing windows may lose more heat) The thermal resistance of your walls and roof Air circulationHeat travels more easily in open spaces. It is harder to heat: Homes with many small closed rooms.Spaces with poor air movement High or cathedral ceilings, where heat rises and stays up high Type of useHow you plan to use the appliance changes what you need. If you run it almost all the time as a strong extra heating source, it has to be powerful enough to handle that load without being pushed to the limit every day. If you mostly use it for ambiance, with occasional fires, you do not want a unit that is too powerful, or you will be tempted to make very small fires. Small fires burn less cleanly and can create more creosote. Location and climateThe further north or the more exposed your home is to wind and harsh weather, the more performance you will need from your stove or furnace to reach the same level of comfort. How much should you add to your theoretical area? To balance all these factors, a simple rule is: Add about 15% in an ideal environment Add up to about 35% in a tougher environment Here are two examples using a theoretical heating area of 1,400 sq ft. Very favorable conditions Ambiance use Good insulation Good air circulation In this case, it makes sense to choose a unit that slightly exceeds the theoretical area. You would aim for a real heating area of around 1,600 sq ft. Less favorable conditions Sustained use Poorer insulation Poorer air circulation Here, you want a larger comfort margin. You would aim for a real heating area around 1,800 sq ft, or even up to 2,000 sq ft. Turn your calculation into the right heater Once you have your real heating area, you can: Use that number as a filter when you look at our wood stoves, fireplaces, or furnaces Compare the “heating area” listed on each product page with your calculation Focus only on the models that are actually sized for your home This way, instead of guessing, you choose a heater that matches your space, your climate, and how you plan to use it. That means better comfort, better performance, and a purchase you will be happy with for years.

How to Choose the Right Wood Stove for Your Home Picking a wood stove is not just about looks. To get the right model, you need to think about where it will be installed, how your home is laid out, and how you plan to use it. Then, you can calculate your heating area and match it with a stove that actually fits your needs. Once you know your numbers, you can browse stoves that match your heating area and lifestyle and choose the unit that will work best in your home. 1. Where will the wood stove be installed? Location matters a lot. If you install a stove in the basement, the heat will rise and help warm the first floor. If you install it on the first floor, it generally will not heat the basement. High or cathedral ceilings let a lot of heat move upward, so some of that warmth is lost higher up instead of staying at your level. Knowing where you plan to place the stove will help you judge how far the heat can realistically spread. 2. Does heat move easily through your space? The layout of your home changes how well a wood stove can do its job. Open floor plans and nearby rooms are easier to heat. A home with many small, closed-off rooms is harder to warm evenly because hot air does not circulate as well. A wood stove should be seen as a secondary heat source. It adds comfort, reduces the load on your main system, and gives you that cozy fire feel. If you want more even heat throughout the house: A blower can help push warm air into nearby areas. For full-house, balanced heating, a wood furnace is often more efficient than a stove alone. When you shop our stoves, think about whether you want targeted comfort around the unit, or something that works with your overall heating strategy. 3. How good is your insulation? The better your home is insulated, the more heat it can hold. Factors that affect this include: Number and size of windows and doors Type and quality of windows and doors Orientation (for example, large north-facing windows may lose more heat) Thermal resistance (R value) of your walls and roof Two stoves with the same heating capacity will not perform the same way in a drafty house versus a well-insulated one. If your home is older or less insulated, you may need a stove with a bit more power than the basic calculation suggests. 4. How do you plan to use the wood stove? Your usage makes a big difference: Sustained use: You use the wood stove as a strong additional heat source and run it regularly to get as much heat as possible. Ambiance use: You mainly want comfort and atmosphere around the appliance, with gentle extra heat rather than maximum output. Being honest about how often and how intensely you plan to use the stove will help you choose the right size and model. On each product page, look at both the heating capacity and the type of use it is best suited for. 5. Calculating the theoretical heating area The theoretical heating area is your starting point. It is a basic estimate of the space your stove could heat, based on the floor it is on and the floors above. Here is a simple rule: Theoretical area to heat =100% of the floor where the stove is installed 50% of the floor above 25% of the next floor (if there is one) Example: You install a wood stove in the basement of a 2 storey house with 800 ft² per floor. Floor 1 (basement, where the stove is): 100% of 800 ft² = 800 ft² Floor 2 (main floor): 50% of 800 ft² = 400 ft² There is no third floor in this example, so 25% of floor 3 = 0 Total theoretical heating area: 800 + 400 + 200 = 1,400 ft² (If there was a third floor, you would add 25% of that floor as well.) Once you have this theoretical area, you can start looking at stoves that list a similar heating capacity in their specifications. 6. Adjusting to get the real heating area Theoretical area is a baseline. To get closer to real life, you adjust that number with a comfort margin based on your conditions and how you will use the stove. Other factors that affect performance: Humidity Wood quality Chimney design and draft Outdoor temperature and wind Here are two examples, using a theoretical heating area of 1,400 ft²: 1. Very favorable conditions Ambiance use Good insulation Good air circulation In this case, it is recommended to choose a stove that slightly exceeds the theoretical area and aim for a real heating area around 1,600 ft². 2. Less favorable conditions Sustained use Poorer insulation Limited air circulation Here, it is better to add a larger comfort margin and aim for a stove rated around 1,800 ft² to 2,000 ft². When you visit our wood stove collection, you can compare the heating capacity listed on each product page with your real heating area to quickly narrow down the best models. 7. Finding the right power: not too big, not too small Choosing a slightly more powerful unit has clear advantages: Higher overall heating capacity Ability to load larger or longer logs Longer burn times between reloads But you also need to avoid going too far in either direction. If the stove is too big:Many people compensate by making small, cool fires. That leads to poor combustion, more creosote in the chimney, and lower efficiency. If the stove is too small:You may end up running it at maximum output all the time. This can cause faster wear on the appliance and still may not fully meet your heating needs. The goal is to match the stove’s rated heating area with your real heating area and how you plan to use it. Turn your numbers into the right stove Once you know: Where your stove will be installed How open or divided your space is How well your home is insulated Whether you want ambiance or sustained heat Your theoretical and real heating area you are ready to choose a model with confidence. From there, you can head our Wood Stove collection, filter stoves by heating capacity, and compare a few models that match your real heating area. That way, you are not just buying a beautiful wood stove, you are choosing one that will actually keep your space warm and comfortable for years.

Installing a wood stove or fireplace is a great way to make your home feel warm and welcoming, while cutting down on heating costs. But there is one step that should never be skipped: protecting the floor under and around your unit. A hearth pad or floor protection board is not just a nice accessory. It is a key safety component and, in many cases, a requirement to meet Canadian installation standards. If you are planning to install or replace a stove or fireplace, this is the first upgrade you should look at. You can see our full selection of hearth pads Why Floor Protection Is Required A stove or fireplace produces very high temperatures. Over time, that heat can damage flooring like wood, vinyl, or laminate. On top of that, sparks or embers can escape the firebox and land on the floor. Without protection, that can cause burns, scorch marks, or even a house fire. Floor protection is designed to shield any combustible material around your stove, such as: Wood or laminate flooring  Vinyl floors Rugs and carpets Furniture and nearby decor In Canada, a properly sized, non combustible floor protector is part of a code compliant installation. Standards such as CSA B365 apply across the country, and your province or municipality may have extra rules. Your appliance manual will also specify what type of floor protection is required. If you are not sure what you need, choosing a certified hearth pad from a trusted store is the easiest way to stay within code. How To Choose the Right Hearth Pad To protect your home and stay compliant, your floor protection needs to meet a few basic criteria. 1. Size of the hearth pad The pad has to cover the floor directly under the unit and extend far enough in front and on each side. In many Canadian installations, minimum clearances are: 18 inches in front of the appliance 8 inches on each side These are general guidelines only. Every stove or fireplace model is different, so always follow the clearances in your manufacturer’s installation manual. When in doubt, choose a pad that is a bit larger rather than too small. In our hearth pad collection, you will find different shapes and sizes so you can match your appliance and layout. 2. Material of the hearth pad The floor protector must be made from non combustible materials. Common examples include: Metal Tempered glass Ceramic tile Brick Cement or concrete board These materials handle high temperatures and offer the durability you need for daily use. When you shop our hearth pads, you can filter by material and pick the look and performance that best fits your stove and your decor. 3. R value and thermal protection Some appliances require a hearth pad with a specific R value. R value is simply a way of measuring how well a material resists heat transfer. If your stove or fireplace manual mentions a minimum R value for floor protection, your pad must meet or exceed that number. That is what ensures your installation is safe and compliant. If you need help choosing a hearth pad with the right thermal protection, you can start by browsing our certified models   Clearances and Combustible Materials Flooring is not the only thing at risk. Anything combustible near your stove or fireplace has to be protected and kept at the right distance. This includes: Wood: walls, trim, floors, shelves, furniture Fabrics: curtains, rugs, cushions, clothing Plastics: decor, storage bins, furniture Paper or cardboard: books, newspapers, boxes Composite panels or laminate wall coverings If these items are too close, they can: Overheat and catch fire Dry out and deteriorate over time Become uncomfortable to use because of excessive heat Your installation manual will list required clearances to combustibles. Floor protection and a properly sized hearth pad help you respect those clearances, especially in front of the stove where sparks are most likely to fall. What Happens if You Skip Floor Protection Installing a stove or fireplace without proper floor protection is a serious risk. The combination of radiant heat, hot embers, and falling logs can: Burn or permanently stain your flooring Damage wood or composite subfloors Start a fire that spreads beyond the appliance Wood and many composite materials are not made to handle the temperatures generated by a stove or fireplace. A hearth pad acts as your first line of defense. It is not a luxury item. It is a basic safety measure that protects your investment and your home. Make Your Installation Safe and Code Compliant Whether you are setting up a new stove or updating an existing hearth, floor protection should be part of your plan from day one. The right hearth pad will help you: Meet Canadian installation standards Protect your floor and nearby materials Improve safety and extend the life of your appliance If you are ready to upgrade, you can browse our collection of certified hearth pads Pick the size, material, and style that match your stove, then complete your order online. That way, by the time your installer arrives, you already have a compliant, good looking hearth pad ready to go.