Installing Small Woodburners Safely

If you reside in small homes or cabins, a small woodburner can bring warmth to your living space. However, there are certain rules you must adhere to to ensure the stove is properly installed.


These rules include maintaining certain distances between the stove and any combustible materials. To help you, we've put together this guide.

Room Size

Woodburners can be found in a wide variety of outputs and it is important to take into consideration the size of your home when selecting the stove. Many people make the error of buying a woodburner that is too large for their home. This could negatively impact the efficiency and performance of the stove. This is why it is essential to visit a showroom to determine what the best size for a woodburner is for your home and make use of a stove sizing calculator to determine how much heat your stove can generate.

Multiply the length, width, and the height of a room in metres. Divide the result by 14 and you will get an approximate estimate of the amount of heat required. This is a rough guide. Other elements, such as the amount of insulation within a home and the number of walls outside, or the size of the windows in a room can influence the actual heat output required.

A ventillation kit, also known as a basic air brick, is necessary for any stove that produces more than 5kW. This is to ensure that the combustion of the wood is completed efficiently and the stove does not become too hot, which could make it less efficient and cause excessive soot accumulations on the glass of the stove and inside the chimney.

It is important to remember that your small woodburner needs to be installed at a specified distance from both combustibles as well as non-combustibles surfaces. This distance will be determined by the manufacturer. The manual for the manufacturer will outline these values, so make sure you refer to it when installing your stove. Make sure your stove is free of combustibles as well as non-combustibles, to avoid fire safety concerns and ensure the safety of your wood burner.

Flue System

The flue system is a channel that allows the exhaust gases from your wood-burning stove to be vented outdoors. This ensures clean indoor air quality, preventing the buildup of harmful odours and pollutants. The flue also prevents the transfer of heat to combustible materials in your home, avoiding the possibility of fire and smoke damage.

Your flue is a crucial part of your stove or fireplace and it is essential to maintain it. You can clean it regularly by cleaning the flue and making sure it has proper ventilation. It is possible to engage an expert to examine and clean your chimney if it is blocked. The flammable byproducts of burning wood in your stove can cause creosote to build up inside the flue. If it builds to a high level, it can ignite, causing chimney fires and other issues.

There are a variety of flues you can use for your woodburning stove or fireplace, including masonry chimneys and double-wall flue systems. Double-wall flues are constructed of stainless steel chimney liners. Masonry chimneys, on the other hand are constructed with mortar and bricks. Masonry chimneys can be installed with any fireplace, however, it is recommended to be inspected by an Gas Safe registered engineer with a flue gas analyser to ensure that the lining is not damaged and that the chimney is operating correctly.

You can opt for an elastic liner if you have an old masonry chimney in need of relining. This will give you a smooth surface from the fireplace up to the outlet. Liner options are available in different sizes and can be used either externally or internally depending on the arrangement of your fireplace. They are also lined with insulation, which helps keep the flue gas warmer and enhances the performance.

The twin wall flue system is a popular option for homes without chimneys. They are easy to install and feature a double-skinned Stainless Steel that is smooth inside and has a corrugated outside. Wood Burning Stoves is perfect for high temperatures. They can be used with masonry and double-wall chimneys, but they can only be installed in houses that meet strict building regulations.

Distances from combustible Surfaces

When choosing a woodburner, the space around your stove is an important factor. It isn't necessary to place your small woodburner too close to combustibles since they can quickly get extremely hot and ignite.

The majority of woodburners have guidelines regarding the distance from combustible surfaces you should keep them. This information is available in the stove's instruction manual and is typically specified in terms of distances from the front, rear and sides. These guidelines may differ based on the type of wood burner and the heat output of the wood stove.

To avoid any dangers from arising We strongly recommend that you to adhere to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer for your woodburner. Also, regular inspections and maintenance by professionals are crucial to ensure the safety of your woodburner.

During these inspections your woodburner technician will look for any safety or potential issues concerns. They will also make sure that you're following the right guidelines to safeguard your family and home. It's also advisable to install carbon monoxide detectors close to your woodburner, and keep them in good condition.

To minimize the chance that combustibles can reach their ignition point, certain woodburners require a very large distance between them and combustibles. This is usually stated by the manufacturer in the instruction manual, which can be downloaded from their website.

To preserve this space, you can utilize a wall shield to limit the clearances for your stove. They're subjected tests, and are certified by the manufacturers to be safe to reduce the necessary clearances.

A wall shield is a thin, metal frame that is positioned over the stove's back and covers the flue system. It serves as a barrier to stop the walls from heating up and igniting any combustible materials behind them. This is a good choice particularly for newly constructed homes, where the construction is typically composed of sheetrock (gypsum) or brick veneers, which do not provide much protection from the high temperatures generated by woodburners.

Shielding Combustible Surfaces

Woodburning stoves generate a lot of heat. This means that there is a chance of damage to walls around the stove as well as in the close vicinity. The best method to avoid this is to install a wall shield, which reduces the heat generated by the stove, and also help to shield the wall. These wall protections are available in a variety of forms including simple heat shields to more complex built-in models. The best wall protections mix brick and metal to stop heat from the stove transferring to the walls and reflecting it back.

The type of wood that is used to heat the stove is also an important factor to consider. Certain types of wood are known to produce creosote, which can cause obstruction to the fireplace and increase fire risk. It is recommended to use only seasoned hardwoods for the stove. This will ensure that the fire burns hot enough to burn off any moisture, and also reduce the accumulation of creosote.

Ash, Elm and Beech are examples of hardwoods that have been processed and seasoned. Pine is not a good option as it creates a lot smoke and can cause creosote-like deposits to the flue system. Larch is a different kind of wood that should not be used because it is susceptible to Phytophthora Ramorum disease and may pose health hazards when transported from its natural habitat.

There is a woodburner that will suit every budget and space. The choice of the best woodburner is vital to maximize efficiency and comfort. By avoiding larger, more expensive stoves that are more expensive, you can save on running expenses while enjoying the warm ambiance that comes with a traditional woodburner.