Installing Small Woodburners Safely

If you reside in an apartment or a cabin, a small woodburner can add a cosy feel to your living space. However, there are certain guidelines you must adhere to to ensure the stove is properly installed.

These guidelines include ensuring certain distances between your stove and any combustible material. To help you, we've created this guide.


Room Size

Woodburners come in a range of outputs, and it's essential to consider the size of your space when choosing a stove. Many people make the error of purchasing a stove that is too large for their home. This could negatively impact the performance and efficiency. This is why it is important to visit a showroom to determine what the ideal size of a woodburner is for your household and as well as to use a stove sizing calculator to work out how much heat the stove will generate.

Multiply the length, width, and the height of a room in meters. Divide the result by 14 and you'll have an approximate estimate of the amount of heat needed. This is a rough guide. Other elements, such as the amount of insulation in the building or the number of walls outside, or the size of windows in a room, can affect the actual heat output required.

A ventillation kit, also known as a basic air brick, is essential for any stove that produces more than 5kW. This will ensure that the wood is burnt efficiently and that the stove doesn't become too hot. This can reduce the efficiency of the stove and lead to soot accumulate on the glass as well as in the chimney.

It is also important to note that your small woodburner should be installed at a specified distance from both non-combustible and combustible surfaces of a predetermined value. 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 non-combustibles and combustibles in order to avoid fire safety issues and ensure the safety of your wood burner.

Flue System

The flue system is the passageway through which the exhaust gases produced by your woodburning fireplace travel to be vented out. This ensures clean indoor air quality by preventing the accumulation of harmful odours and pollutants. wood burning fireplace from being transferred to combustible material in your home. This lowers the risk of fire or smoke damage.

The flue is an essential component of your stove or fireplace It is crucial to maintain it. You can accomplish this by regularly cleaning the flue and ensuring that it has adequate ventilation. If your chimney is clogged you might need to contact an expert to inspect and clean. The flammable byproducts from burning wood in your stove can cause creosote to build up inside the flue. If it builds up to an excessive level it could cause chimney fires to and other issues.

There are a variety of flues you can choose from for your fireplace or woodburning appliance including double-wall and masonry flue systems. Double-wall flues are constructed of stainless steel chimney liners. Masonry chimneys are, on the other hand are typically constructed using mortar and bricks. Masonry chimneys work with all fireplaces, however they must be checked by an engineer registered with Gas Safe with a flue-gas analyzer to verify that the chimney lining and chimney are operating correctly.

If you have an older masonry chimney that requires relining, then you can make use of a flexible chimney liner to ensure a smooth and unbroken surface from the fireplace to the outlet. These are available in a range of diameters and can be installed either externally or internally, dependent on the layout of your fireplace. These liners can also be insulated, which keeps the flue gases warmer and enhances the performance.

The twin wall flue system is a popular option for homes without chimneys. They are easy to install and have a double-skinned Stainless steel that is smooth inside and corrugated outside. wood burning fireplace is perfect for high temperatures. They can be installed with masonry or double-wall chimneys. However they are only permitted to be installed in homes that have strict building codes.

Distances from Combustible Surfaces

When choosing a woodburner, the amount of space around the stove will be an important factor. It isn't necessary to place your woodburner in close proximity to combustibles because they can quickly get extremely hot and cause a fire.

Most woodburners will have guidelines for the distance from surfaces that are flammable you should keep them. This information is available in the stove's instruction manual and is typically stated in terms of distances from the rear, front and sides. However, these guidelines could differ based on the kind of wood burner and the amount of heat they offer.

We strongly recommend that you follow the directions that are provided by the manufacturer of your woodburner to avoid any potential hazards. Regular inspections and maintenance by professionals are crucial to ensure your woodburner is safe.

During these inspections the woodburner technician will look for any potential safety or health 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 make sure they are in good working condition.

Some woodburners require a large gap to be kept free of combustible substances in order to decrease the chance of the ignition point reaching. This is usually specified by the manufacturer in the stove's instruction manual, which can be downloaded from their website.

If you want to preserve the space, you could make use of a wall protector to decrease the minimum clearances needed for your stove. These have been tested and approved by the manufacturer to reduce the clearances in a safe manner.

A wall shield is a thin metal frame that is placed over the stove's back, covering the flue system. It acts as a barrier that prevents the walls from heating up and inflaming any combustible materials behind them. This is a particularly good option for homes that are being built from scratch, where the construction typically consists of sheetrock (gypsum) or brick veneer, which does not offer a lot of protection against high temperatures from a woodburner.

Shielding Combustible Surfaces

Woodburning stoves can be extremely hot, and this means they can damage walls around them. The best way to avoid this is to install a wall shield, which will cut down on the heat produced by the stove and help protect the wall itself. These wall protections are available in a variety of forms that range from simple heat shields, to more elaborate built-in models. The most effective wall protectors blend brick and metal to reflect heat away from the stove, and also prevent it from transferring onto the walls.

The kind of wood used to burn in the stove is an important aspect to consider. Certain kinds of wood tend to produce creosote that can hinder the fireplace and increase the risk of fire. It is recommended to select only hardwoods that are well-seasoned for the stove. This will help to ensure that the fire is burning at a temperature that is sufficient to eliminate any moisture that remains, thereby which will reduce the formation of creosote deposits.

Some examples of suitable seasoned hardwoods include Ash, Elm, and Beech. Pine is not a good choice because it is known to create a lot of smoke and has an oily appearance which can lead to creosote that looks like tar in the flue system. The Larch wood is not recommended due to its susceptible to Phytophthora ramorum disease. It can also pose health risks when transported out of its natural habitat.

There is a woodburner to suit every budget and space. The choice of the best woodburner is crucial to maximize energy efficiency and comfort. You can save money on fuel costs by staying clear of larger and more costly stoves.