Freestanding Wood Stove Vs. Zero-Clearance Wood Stove

Freestanding Wood Stoves

• You get a lot of freedom with a freestanding wood stove. Unlike a masonry fireplace that connects to a chimney as is usually placed against a wall or corner, you can place a freestanding stove right in the middle of a room if you like because freestanding units don't require a traditional chimney system. A stovepipe or duct ventilation system that vents the smoke outdoors is the extent of all that's required, which means you have more freedom to place the unit closer to what you want to heat (such as human bodies). And all of the basic components for the fireplace are contained right within the stove -- from the firebox to the ash receptacle. Styles can range from simple, utilitarian models to contemporary designs that look like a functional piece of modern art.

Zero-Clearance Wood Stoves

• Zero-clearance wood stoves are great imposters. They look like a fireplace, but they are not fireplaces -- they're a combination of a fireplace and a stove. The term "zero clearance" refers to the fact that the firebox (the interior compartment where the wood is burned) can be placed smack dab against the walls of a preexisting fireplace or even within the frames of a wall, which is do-able because the firebox is heavily insulated. So when you see a fireplace-looking unit that's installed inside of a wall, it's burning wood and there's no traditional "hearth" on the floor, chances are what you're looking at is a wood-burning zero-clearance wood stove.

Similarities

• Freestanding wood stoves and zero-clearance wood stoves have several important features and capabilities in common. Both give you the capability to burn "genuine" real wood instead of using artificial logs as with a gas unit. You can also "go eco" and use wood pellets with freestanding and zero-clearance stoves. Wood pellets are made of wood byproducts like wood chips, bark and even agricultural byproducts such as corn husks. They are a lot cheaper than logs, running around $150 for a ton, as of August 2011, which is the equivalent of about one and a half cords of wood. Best of all, both types of stoves are a lot more efficient than fireplaces because they have a smaller firebox, so heat disburses more efficiently into a room and less heat goes up the chimney.

Differences

• Freedom of movement and placement is the biggest difference, and that's what you get with a freestanding wood stove. Freestanding units can be moved to other rooms (providing you have ventilation) and you're not stuck to placing them against a wall. These units literally have legs, which is another reason why they are called "freestanding." The stoves look more like a piece of furniture or an appliance. Zero-clearance stoves, on the other hand, will give you that ability to fake out your friends because, structurally, they look more like fireplace inserts. A zero-clearance wood stove will make a better choice for those who want a unit with the look of a traditional fireplace.