Why Rumford?

The answer is Radiant heat.

The shallow fire box, being as tall as it is wide, emits abundant radiant heat about an entire room. lower primary heating costs will result.

The smoke Chamber and Smoke shelf allow a draft to enter from the flue and exit the same way, giving a continuous and even burn. The results are heat, efficiency and ambiance.

So why doesn’t every house have one?

Many of the older homes do. In fact many of the larger older homes have several.

The advent of the Franklin wood stove, the furnace and the fact that Lord Rumford was considered a Scoundrel in Colonial America didn’t help matters for the Rumford Fireplace.

However there is no question as to what the most efficient, effective and attractive fireplace is. It is the Rumford.

Although a wood stove will offer acceptable heating results it will never match the ambiance of dancing flame of a true Rumford.

Modern fireplaces were designed for occasional use. The drafting is often poor due to low cost designs.They are not practical for heating purposes.Though corners are cut, the fire place looks ok. The Masonry substructure which is not visible,is the back bone of a fire place.

Rumford designed the most efficient fireplaces to resolve issues In London England where poorly designed fireboxes and chimney systems smoked up city streets.

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How much do they cost?

The inexpensive approach:

Prefabricated units are available for installation.

R.L. Sanborn Masonry recommends conventional masonry.

Why?

Ben Rumford’s massive structures themselves retained heat for hours after the last flames withered out. The hearth is still too hot to touch and the entire structure holds it’s heat for hours after the flame has gone. The majority of banked heat radiates hours later still warm to the touch.

We design Our Rumford fireplace throats, Flues, smoke chambers and smoke stacks (chimneys) with exacting standards.

The Large opening and shallow box radiate heat into the room much like a mirror reflecting a ray from the Sun. This heat rapidly warms anything in it’s path. When the flame is gone it continues to heat.

In a New England climate the exterior masonry will be susceptible to the Harsh cold, heavy rains, snow, Ice, Frost heaves, Ice heaves, hail, sleet etc and must be built to withstand.

Our aim is to build Fireplaces with the most efficient working mechanics as well as asthetics and durability. We choose to build our Fireplaces with Granite, Soap Stone, Brick and other natural masonry materials.

How Much will a fireplace cost?

That all depends on the materials and size. Certainly brick is the least expensive way to go and do the job right. If you are thinking of field stone or granite think higher. Stone is not for everyone. There are alternatives such as veneers and Cultured stone. Cultured stone has become popular as an inexpensive alternative to stone.

A brick Rumford can be built anywhere from $15,000 to $40,000 or more depending on the size of the firebox, the structural height and the foundation requirements which will vary depending on your current foundation.

Don’t forget the flashing. Leaks are much more costly down the road. The flashing needs to be professionally smithed.

The height of your home and whether the unit will be inside or outside are also factors.

R.L. Sanborn Masonry has been building Rumford fireplaces for over 20 years.

We are highly sought after, recommended and on the search for interesting projects.

We look forward to working with existing Clients as well as meeting new clients. Please call us for a consultation and estimate.(207) 479-7567