No suggestion other than keep your bend from vertical to horizontal gentle. That is, two 45* bends are better than 1 90* bend.

UPDATE: The manager sent someone out (crazy thing is that they wanted to send the original installer? HUH...I specifically requested someone else, afterall how unbiased could the original guy be? I can hear it now...UM GEE MAAM, I really did do a crappy job, what a mess, I dont know what I was thinking to leave your kitchen in this state, I should have stayed in bed that day") anyway, they apparently attempted to reach him and couldn't so they sent a different guy. Who agreed, that this guy left it a mess. He was very efficient and proficient at "fixing" the hack job the other guy left. No new countertops, but without doubt much better. this new guy showed me the paperwork (which was a print out of all the communication from all parties on this "escallation" and what's ironic is that the original guy was finally reached by them and he reported that he did the cutting at the request of the store and ME and that he told ME that HE normally doesn't do this type of work, but I INSISTED that he do it anyway, so that I could get the stove put in. YA RIGHT...he did admit that he should have sanded the cabinets down, but didn't etc. anyway, he lied and he made a liar out of one of the store manangers who very confidentally proclaimed that his installers are qualified to do the cabintry work. I think this guy will not be getting all the referrals from them too much longer. I found out that Best Buy charges the contracting company $500 a day for these types of things...until they are resolved. So they were on it like greased lightening. Well anyway, here are some after pics. The pic of the front right edge which was cut way too deep, we used quickwood on it and IRL, it actually blends much better, it's a pinkish beige color very close to the counters. He put in place also the laminate counter top edges (precut for such an application) and that will seal off the counter from the inevitable water, grease etc from the stove. it was not a match, but it does help it blend better with the stove AND I told the guy it just might become my inspiration colors to use when/if I attempt to repaint the counters. NOW, I need to touch up the paint on the cabinet bases and change out the knobs and search for a new paint color and then consider what materials/paint I can get from SW before their 25% off sale ends :)

I hope to use my direct vent fireplace as a secondary heat source in my 1900 sq. ft. home in Minnesota. There is an existing fireplace that I am replacing because of incorrect installation (before I purchased the home). This fireplace is downstairs in a split entry home without ductwork (electric baseboard heat), so I'm relying on the fireplace to supplement or replace the primary heat source during peak load times. I need pointers or recommendations to guide me in my purchase.....brand names, BTUs, etc. Any help is appreciated!!

10 mil minimum, seams overlapped by 6 inches and taped - the entire length of any seam. I like Gorilla Tape. "Brought up" 18 inches+ and taped around any non-wood supports (imagine wrapping a tree trunk) and up onto the non-wood foundation walls). Lay it loosely - no reason for it to be "tight". No stakes - you don't want holes through the barrier. Cover the plastic with 4 inches of pea gravel to prevent tearing (when crawling on it), the gravel will change color if a breach is present. Color of the plastic doesn't matter. It's a labor intensive, knees and back aching job, so have it done correctly this time.