"This morning it's 30 degrees outside, 70 degrees in here... something's working!"
- Jill, as the warmth from her break-in fires started impacting her home.
Jill had never heard of a Masonry Heater before we met at a home show. I was the only person she had ever met who had heard of, let alone knew how to build a masonry heater. I understand that it can be intimidating to invest in a hearth you may not have experienced for yourself. Masonry Heaters are beautiful and enhance the aesthetic of your space, but, for me, first and foremost they are about stability and security. My goal is to be as trustworthy as they are.
Our Masonry Heaters are not cookie-cutter elements of your home, and our process is not really as linear as it is presented here. Often people know what surface finish speak to them before we start talking about shape. Sometimes people know just what traditional design (like a contraflow or five channel) that is desired before they know anything else. I work with each client personally in order to empower the best possible outcome.
1
Initial Consult
An initial visit gives us a chance to look at your home or plans together. I make sure you understand what to expect from a masonry heater in your home, including what it's like to live with a heater, fuel drying, and technical aspects of heater operation. We discuss European imports, US kits, and fully custom options.
My goal for this stage is that you have your initial questions answered and that you move forward empowered to consider seriously a stove in your home. We often end the session with a few quick sketches of what your stove could look like and a general budget that we feel comfortable with.
2
Shaping and Budgeting
I leave our first meeting with the information I need to cost your project, and will then provide a few estimates based on options and choices we discussed.
We take another look through the basics now that we have some reliable numbers to bring in to things.
We commit to the shape of your heater at this point, including wood storage, benches, and so on, and then move on to choose decorative elements.
3
Decorative Elements
Some prefer a modern look with clean lines, others prefer something more traditional. If you choose a traditional design (which tend to be basic shapes), decorative elements define areas of the stove in order to give a sense of balance to what might otherwise be somewhat pedestrian. Typically there is a base to the stove (which helps it feel grounded), somet kind of adornment above the loading door (which defines the bottom end of the heater), and a crown at the top (which gives a sense of completion to the work).
4
Surface Finish
You may already know what you want the primary surface finish to be. This is often the case with those who want stone-veneer on their fireplaces. We work with stone, plaster, brick, tile, and with traditional German Stove Kachels.
Surface finish makes a huge impact on the look and feel of a heater.
5
Money
Once we know that we have a budget range, and a basic idea of shape and aesthetic, I receive a $1000 design fee. Prior to our arriving with material, we ask for a material draw from the remainder.
From there we make progress draws based on project milestones with the final payment when your project is complete and we light our initial fire together.
6
Relationship
I answer my phone when you call. I follow your progress through initial break in, and happily meet with you to discuss and resolve any concerns you have about your heater, as well as offering inspections and service on any masonry heater out there, whether we built it or not.
