Installing Small Woodburners Safely

Whether you live in an apartment or a cabin, a small woodburner can bring warmth to your living space. However, there are certain guidelines you must adhere to for ensuring that your stove is installed safely.

These guidelines include ensuring certain distances between the stove and any combustible materials. This guide will help.

Room Size

Woodburners can be found in a wide variety of outputs. It is important to take into consideration the size of your home when choosing the right stove. Many people make the error of buying a woodburner that is too big for their house. This can negatively impact the efficiency and performance of the stove. It is essential to visit a showroom to determine the size of the woodburner that will work ideal for your home, and to use a stove-sizing calculator calculate how much heat it will generate.

Multiply the length, width and height of a room in metres. Divide this number by 14, and you'll get an approximate estimate of the amount of heat needed. This is an approximate guide. Other factors, such as the amount of insulation within the building or the number of external walls, or the size of the windows in a room, can affect the actual heat output needed.

It is also worth noting that any stove with an output of greater than 5kW requires proper ventilation and a ventillation kit or basic air brick will be necessary. This will ensure that the wood is burnt efficiently and that the stove doesn't become too hot. This could reduce the efficiency of the stove, and lead to excessive soot build up on the glass and in the chimney.

It is also important to note that your small woodburner must be installed at a specified distance from both non-combustible and combustible surfaces of a predetermined value. The manufacturer's manual will detail these values, so make sure to refer to it when installing your stove. Keeping your stove clear of non-combustible or combustible materials will allow you to avoid any fire hazards and will ensure the safety of your log burner.

Flue System

The flue system is the passageway through which the exhaust gases produced by your woodburning stove pass through to be expelled outside. This helps to maintain clean indoor air by keeping out the build-up of harmful pollutants and odours. The flue blocks heat from being transferred to combustible material in your home. This decreases the chance of fire or smoke damage.

It is important to keep your flue as it is an essential component of any fireplace or stove. You can clean it regularly by cleaning the flue and making sure that it has adequate ventilation. You may have to hire a professional to inspect and clean your chimney if it's clogged. The flammable byproducts from burning wood in your stove can cause creosote to build up inside the flue. If it builds to an excessive level, it can cause chimney fires to, among other problems.

There are a variety of flues you can choose from for your fireplace or woodburning device, including double-wall and masonry flue systems. Double-wall flues are made from stainless steel chimney liners. Masonry chimneys are, on the other hand are constructed with bricks and mortar. Masonry chimneys can be installed with virtually any fireplace however, it is recommended to have them inspected by an Gas Safe registered engineer with an analyser for flue gas to make sure the lining is in good condition and that the chimney is operating correctly.

If you have an older masonry chimney that needs relining, you can use a flexible chimney liner to ensure that the surface is smooth and unbroken from the fireplace to the outlet. They are available in a variety of sizes and can be installed either internally or externally, dependent on the layout of your fireplace. They also have insulation that keeps the flue gas warmer and enhances efficiency.

The twin wall flue system is a popular choice for homes with no chimneys. They are easy to install and feature a double-skinned stainless steel that is smooth on the inside and curly on the outside, which is ideal to reach high temperatures. They can be installed with double-wall chimneys or masonry. However they can only be permitted to be used in homes that meet strict building codes.

Distances from Combustible Surfaces


The size of the space you will need to keep around the stove is one of the most important factors when deciding on a woodburner. It is not necessary to put your small woodburner close to combustibles because they can become extremely hot and start a fire.

Most woodburners will have guidelines on how far away 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 from the rear, front and sides. However, contemporary wood burning stoves can differ depending on the type of wood burner and the amount of heat they provide.

We strongly suggest to follow the directions provided by the manufacturer of your woodburner to be safe from any dangers that could arise. Also, regular inspections and maintenance by a professional are key to ensure your woodburner is safe.

During these inspections your woodburner technician will check for any potential safety or health concerns. They will also make sure that you are following the correct guidelines to safeguard your family and home. It is also recommended to install carbon monoxide detectors near your woodburner and ensure they are in working order.

Some woodburners require a large gap to be kept from combustible materials in order to minimize the chance of the ignition point reaching. The manufacturer will typically specify this in the manual for the stove that you can download from their website.

As an alternative to maintaining the space, you could utilize a wall shield to limit the clearances needed for your stove. They have been tested and certified by the manufacturer to reduce the clearances in a safe manner.

A wall shield is a thin, metal frame which is positioned on the stove's back and covers the flue system. This type of barrier stops the walls from heating and igniting materials that are combustible behind them. This is a great option for new build homes in which the structure is usually made up of sheetrock (gypsum) or brick veneer, which do not offer a lot of protection against the extreme heat generated by a woodburner.

Shielding Combustible Surfaces

Woodburning stoves generate a lot of heat, and this means that there is a chance of damage to walls surrounding the stove as well as in the close vicinity. Installing a wall shield will cut down on the heat coming from the stove while also protecting the wall. These wall protections come in a variety of forms, from simple bare heat shields to more sophisticated built-in models. The best wall protections mix brick and metal to block the heat from the stove from transferring to the walls, and reflecting it back.

The kind of wood used to burn in the stove is also an important consideration. Certain types of wood are known to produce creosote, which can cause obstruction to the fireplace and increase the risk of fire. It is best to only use seasoned hardwoods for your stove. This will help to ensure that the fire is burned at a high enough temperature to burn off any moisture remaining, thus which will reduce the formation of creosote deposits.

Some examples of suitable hardwoods include Ash, Elm, and Beech. Pine is not a good option as it creates lots of smoke and may cause creosote-like deposits in the flue system. The Larch wood is also not recommended because it is susceptible to Phytophthora Ramorum disease. It also poses health hazards when taken out of its natural habitat.

There's a woodburner to suit every budget and space. It is important to choose the correct woodburner to maximize energy efficiency and comfort. You can save money on fuel by not using larger and more expensive stoves.