Installing Small Woodburners Safely

A small woodburner can bring warmth to any home, whether it is small or an outdoor cabin. There are certain rules that you must adhere to in order to set up your stove in a safe manner.

These rules require you to keep certain distances between your stove and combustible materials. To help you, we've created this guide.

Room Size

Woodburners come in a range of outputs, and it's crucial to take into account the size of your room when choosing the stove. Many people make the mistake of purchasing a woodburner that is too large for their home. This can adversely affect the efficiency and performance of the stove. It is crucial to visit a showroom to determine the size of the woodburner that is best for your home and to use a stove-sizing calculator determine the amount of heat it will generate.

A good rule of thumb is to determine the length the width and height of the room in metres and then multiply them. Then divide the result by 14 to determine the approximate heat output required. This is however only a rough guide and other factors like the quality of insulation in the building, whether there are any exterior walls or how big the windows are in the room could impact on the actual heat output needed.

It is also important to note that any stove with an output greater than 5kW will require proper ventilation and a ventillation kit or basic air brick will be required. This will ensure that the wood is burned efficiently and that the stove isn't too hot. This can reduce the efficiency of the stove, and cause excessive soot to build up on the glass and inside the chimney.


It is also important to know that your small woodburner must be installed at a specified distance from both combustible and non-combustible surfaces with a certain value. The manual for the manufacturer will outline these parameters, so be sure to refer to it when installing your stove. Keep your stove free of combustibles and non-combustibles to avoid fire safety concerns and ensure safe operation of your wood burner.

Recommended Reading Links to an external site. is a passageway that allows the exhaust gases from your woodburning stove to be vented outdoors. This helps to maintain the air quality inside by preventing the accumulation of harmful odours and pollutants. The flue also prevents the transfer of heat to combustible materials in your home, reducing the risk of fire and smoke damage.

Your flue is a crucial part of your stove or fireplace, and it's important to maintain it. This can be accomplished by regularly cleaning your flue and making sure it is ventilated properly. You may have to hire an expert to examine and clean your chimney if it is clogged. Creosote can build up in the flue due to the flammable wood products that are burned. If it builds up to an excessive amount it could ignite and cause chimney fires and other issues.

There are many different types of flues you can choose from for your fireplace or woodburning appliance, including double-wall and masonry flue systems. Double-wall flues are made from stainless steel chimney liners. Masonry chimneys are, however are typically constructed using mortar and bricks. Masonry chimneys can be used with almost any fireplace, but you should be inspected by a Gas Safe registered engineer with a flue gas analyser in order to make sure the lining is in good condition and that the chimney is functioning properly.

You can use an elastic liner if you have an old masonry chimney that is in need of being relined. This will give you an even surface from the fireplace up to the outlet. They are available in a variety of sizes, and can be fitted either externally or internally, according to the layout of your fireplace. These liners also have insulation, which keeps the flue gas warmer and enhances performance.

Twin wall flue systems are a popular option for homes with no traditional chimneys. Easy to install, they come with a double-skinned stainless steel that is smooth inside and corrugated outside. This is perfect for high temperatures. They can be installed with masonry or double-wall chimneys. However they are only permitted to be used in homes that comply with strict building codes.

Distances from Combustible Surfaces

When choosing a woodburner, the space around your stove will be the most important aspect. You shouldn't want your small woodburner to be close to any combustible material as they can become very hot and pose danger of fire.

The majority of woodburners have guidelines for the distance from surfaces that are flammable you should keep them, this information can be found in the stove's instruction manual and is usually stated in terms of distances to the front, rear and sides. These guidelines may differ based on the type and output of the wood stove.

To prevent any risk from arising We strongly recommend that to follow the guidelines set by the manufacturer for your woodburner. Regular inspections and maintenance performed by a professional are vital to ensure that your woodburner is in good working order.

During these inspections the woodburner technician will be looking for potential problems or safety concerns and ensure that you're following the right guidelines in order to protect your home and family. Install carbon monoxide alarms near your woodburner, and be sure they are in good working condition.

To decrease the risk that combustibles can reach their ignition point, some woodburners require a very large distance between them and combustibles. This is usually specified by the manufacturer in the stove's instruction manual, which can be downloaded from their website.

As an alternative to maintaining the space, you could use a wall shield to decrease the minimum clearances needed for your stove. These are subjected to rigorous tests, and are certified by the manufacturer to be able to safely reduce the necessary clearances.

A wall shield is a thin, metal frame that covers the flue system on the back of the stove. This type of barrier prevents the walls from heating up and igniting the combustible material behind them. This is a great choice for new homes where the construction typically consists of sheetrock (gypsum) or brick veneer, which does not offer much protection against the extreme heat generated by woodburners.

Shielding Combustible Surfaces

Woodburning stoves can be extremely hot, and this means they could damage walls in the area around them. Installing a wall protection will cut down on the heat coming from the stove while protecting the wall. Wall protectors come in many different forms, from simple heat shields, to more sophisticated built-in models. The best wall protections combine brick and metal to stop the heat from the stove from transferring to the walls, and reflecting it away.

The kind of wood used to heat the stove is another important aspect to consider. Certain types of wood are known to create creosote, which can block the fireplace and increase risk of fire. It is recommended to use only seasoned hardwoods for the stove. This will ensure that the fire is sufficiently hot to eliminate any moisture and reduce the accumulation of creosote.

Some examples of suitable seasoned hardwoods include Ash, Elm, and Beech. Pine is not a great option as it creates lots of smoke and may cause creosote-like deposits in the flue system. Larch wood is not recommended as it is susceptible to Phytophthora the ramorum disease. It can also pose health risks when it is removed of its natural habitat.

If you require a smaller woodburner for your loft apartment or country nook, there's an option that will fit your living space and budget. It is important to choose the best woodburner to maximize efficiency and comfort. By staying clear of bigger and more expensive stoves, you can make savings on operating costs while enjoying the warm ambience that is a part of a traditional woodburner.