Installing Small Woodburners Safely

A small woodburner will add warmth to any house, whether it is an apartment or a cabin. However, there are certain rules you must adhere to in order to ensure that your stove is installed safely.

These guidelines include ensuring certain distances between your stove and combustible items. To assist you, we've prepared this guide.

Room Size


Woodburners are available in a variety of outputs, and it's essential to consider the size of your space when selecting the stove. Many people make the error of purchasing a stove that is too big for their home. This could negatively impact the efficiency and performance. It is important to visit the 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 produce.

Multiply the length, width, and height of a room in meters. Then divide this number by 14 to discover the approximate heat output required. This is however just a rough guideline and factors such as the insulation quality of the home as well as whether there are exterior walls or how big the windows are in the room will affect the actual heat output needed.

A ventillation kit, also known as a basic air brick, is required for any stove that produces more than 5kW. This is to ensure that combustion of the wood is carried out efficiently and that the stove doesn't get too hot, which could reduce its efficiency and cause excessive soot deposits on the glass of the stove and inside the chimney.

It is important to remember that your small woodburner should be installed at a specified distance from both combustibles as well as non-combustible surfaces. The distance is predetermined. These parameters will be explained in the handbook of the manufacturer so be sure to refer to this when installing your stove and following these guidelines. Keep your stove free of combustibles and non-combustibles to avoid fire safety concerns and ensure the safety of your wood burner.

Flue System

The flue system is a way that lets the exhaust gases from your wood-burning stove to be vented outdoors. This ensures the cleanliness of indoor air by preventing the accumulation of harmful odours and pollutants. The flue also prevents heat transfer to combustible substances within your home, reducing the possibility of fire or smoke damage.

It is essential to maintain your flue which is an integral part of any stove or fireplace. You can do this by regularly cleaning the flue and making sure that it has adequate ventilation. It is possible to engage an expert to inspect and clean your chimney if it is blocked. 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 could cause chimney fires to and other issues.

There are many different types of flues that you can use for your fireplace or woodburning appliance, including masonry flues and double-wall systems. Masonry chimneys are constructed from bricks and mortar double-wall flue systems consist of chimney liners made of stainless steel. Masonry chimneys are compatible with all fireplaces, however they must be checked by an engineer registered with Gas Safe with a flue-gas analyser to make sure the chimney's lining is working correctly.

You can opt for an elastic liner if you have an old chimney made of masonry in need of replacing. This will give you an even surface from the fireplace up to the outlet. small wood burning heater are available in a variety of sizes, and can be fitted either externally or internally depending on your fireplace layout. They also come with insulation that keeps the flue gas warmer and enhances performance.

The twin wall flue system is a popular choice for homes without chimneys. They are simple to set up and come with a double-skinned stainless steel that is smooth inside and corrugated on the outside, which is ideal for high temperatures. They can be installed using double-wall chimneys or masonry. However, they are only allowed to be installed in homes that have strict building codes.

Distances from combustible Surfaces

The size of the space you will need to keep around your stove is one of the most important considerations when deciding on a woodburner. You shouldn't want your small woodburner to be close to any materials that are flammable since they can get extremely hot and create danger of fire.

The instruction manual of most woodburners will provide guidelines on how far you should keep the stove away from flammable materials. These guidelines are typically defined in terms of distances between the front and back sides. These guidelines can vary depending on the type and output of the wood stove.

We strongly suggest that you always adhere to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer of your woodburner to avoid any potential hazards. Regular inspections and maintenance carried out by a professional are vital to ensure that your woodburner is in good working order.

During these inspections your woodburner technician will check for any safety issues and ensure you are following the correct guidelines to safeguard your home and family. Install carbon monoxide alarms around your woodburner, and be sure they are in good order.

To minimize the chance that combustibles can reach their ignition point, some woodburners require a long distance between them and combustibles. The manufacturer usually specifies this in the stove's manual which you can download from their website.

You can install a wall protector to reduce the clearances that are required for your stove in order to maintaining that space. They're subjected tests, and are certified by the manufacturers to be safe to reduce the required clearances.

A wall shield is a thin metal frame that covers the flue system on the back of the stove. This acts as a barrier that prevents the walls from heating up and igniting any combustible materials that are behind them. This is a good option especially for newly constructed homes where the construction is mostly comprised of sheetrock (gypsum), or brick veneers that don't provide much protection from the high temperatures generated by woodburners.

Shielding Combustible Surfaces

Woodburning stoves can be extremely hot, which means they can cause damage to walls that surround them. The best way to prevent this is to put up walls with a shield that reduces the heat generated by the stove and help to protect the wall. These wall protections are available in a variety of forms that range from simple heat shields, to more elaborate built-in models. The best wall protectors mix metal with brick to reflect heat away from the stove, and also prevent it from transferring onto the walls.

The kind of wood used to cook in the stove is also an important factor to consider. Certain types of wood have a tendency to form creosote deposits that can block the chimney and increase the chance of sparks. It is recommended to select only hardwoods that are well-seasoned for the stove. This will help to ensure that the fire is burned at a temperature that is sufficient to eliminate any remaining moisture, reducing the build-up of creosote deposits.

Some examples of seasoned hardwoods that are suitable include Ash, Elm, and Beech. Pine is a poor choice because it is known to release lots of smoke and has an oily appearance, which can cause creosote that looks like tar 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 transported out of its natural habitat.

If you require a smaller woodburner for your loft or country nook, there is a stove that is suitable for your living space and budget. The choice of the best woodburner is crucial to maximize efficiency and comfort. By avoiding bigger, more expensive stoves you can save on running expenses while enjoying the warm ambience that comes with a traditional woodburner.