Wood burning fireplace, insulation

[Randyjr.]

When we bought our home, it came with a wood burning fireplace. We are using it and love it. When not in use and cold, is there something you have made or bought that we can place inside the glass door to keep the cold from coming down the chimney and into our basement? Would love to hear your thoughts about this and would appreciate any help.

[Steve Foss]

I'm assuming you shut your damper when the fireplace isn't in use, which should cut out downdrafts if the damper still is tight.

Additionally, you can cut a piece of rigid 2-inch insulating foam that fits snugly up the chimney. It'll be held in place by tension against the four inner chimney walls. It depends, of course, on how far up the chimney your damper is and if there's enough room below it for the styrofoam.

You can make a handle to help you pull the foam piece down by cutting a piece of board or plywood, drilling a center hole in the foam, inserting a wooden dowel through the hole and screwing it to the plywood so you can pull down on the dowel and the foam will come out.

[Bigsmitty]

Hey Randy,

What you need is called a chimalator top sealing damper. I've installed tons of them and they work great. They are a stainless cap with a plate that seals the chimney at the top by way of a stainless cable that runs down to an actuater arm mounted on the side of your firebox. The lever comes off and hangs on your tool set when not in use. The lever has five settings and you can actually adjust it so you get more heat into the home. Another nice thing is that when you go to light a fire the flue temperature is already warm and it makes for a good draft right away.

[Randyjr.]

I appreciate both the suggestions. Yesterday, I made an insulated one like Steve Foss described. I looked up the Chimalator after I read the second post but they are a bit out of my price range at this time, but they look pretty dang handy. Thanks again.