Val Truitt

Installing Small Woodburners Safely

Whether you live in small homes or cabins, a small woodburner can add a cosy feel to your living space. But, there are some guidelines you must adhere to for ensuring that your stove is set up in a safe manner.

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

Room Size

Woodburners are available in a wide variety of outputs. It is crucial to consider the size of your space when choosing the stove. Many people make the error of buying a woodburner that is too large for their home. This can adversely affect 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 make use of a stove-sizing calculator in order to calculate how much heat it will produce.

A good guideline is to take the length, width and height of the room in metres and multiply these together. Divide the result by 14 and you will get an approximate estimation of the amount of heat required. However, this is just a rough guideline and factors such as the insulation quality of the building, whether there are any exterior walls, or how large the windows are in the room could impact on the actual heat output needed.

A ventillation kit, or basic air brick, is necessary for any stove that produces more than 5kW. This is to ensure that combustion of the wood is done efficiently and that the stove doesn't get too hot, which could make it less efficient and cause excessive soot deposits on the glass of the stove as well as in the chimney.

It is also important to note that your small woodburner must be placed at a certain distance from non-combustible and combustible surfaces that have a specified value. These values will be detailed in the manufacturer's handbook so make sure you refer to this when installing your stove and adhere to these guidelines. Make sure your stove is free of combustibles and non-combustibles to avoid fire safety issues and ensure the safe operation of your wood burner.

Flue System

The flue system is a passageway that allows the exhaust gases from your cast iron wood burner-burning stove to be vented outside. This helps to maintain the air quality inside 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 essential to maintain your flue as it is an essential element of any stove or fireplace. This can be done by cleaning your flue regularly and making sure it has adequate ventilation. If your chimney is blocked it is possible to contact an expert to inspect and clean. Creosote may build up in the flue as a result of flammable products of burning wood. If it builds up to an excessive amount, it can ignite and cause chimney fires as well as other issues.

There are a variety of flues for your fireplace or woodburning appliance including double-wall flues and masonry systems. Masonry chimneys are typically built from bricks and mortar, while double-wall flue systems consist of a chimney liners made of stainless steel. Masonry chimneys can be installed with virtually any fireplace however, it is recommended to have them inspected by a Gas Safe registered engineer with a flue gas analyser in order to ensure that the lining is not damaged and that the chimney is operating correctly.

If you have an older masonry chimney that requires relining, you can make use of a flexible chimney liner to provide an unbroken and smooth surface from the fireplace to the outlet. These liners are available in various diameters and can be installed either externally or internally depending on the configuration of your fireplace. These liners can also be made of insulation, which keeps the flue gas warmer and enhances the performance.

The twin wall flue system is a popular choice for homes that do not have chimneys. They are simple to install and feature a double-skinned stainless steel that is smooth inside and corrugated on the outside wood burners, which is ideal for achieving high temperatures. They can be used with both double-wall chimneys as well as masonry chimneys however they can only be installed in homes that comply with strict building regulations.

Distances from Combustible Surfaces

The amount of space you have to maintain around the stove is one of the most important factors when deciding on a woodburner. It is not necessary to put your woodburner in close proximity to combustibles because they can become extremely hot and cause a fire.

Most woodburners will have guidelines for how far away from combustible surfaces you should keep them, this information can be found in the instruction manual of the stove and is typically stated in terms of distances to the front, rear and sides. However, these guidelines can vary based on the kind of wood burner and the heat output they provide.

To avoid any dangers from arising We strongly suggest that you to adhere to the guidelines set by the manufacturer of your woodburner. Regular inspections and maintenance by a professional are key to keeping your woodburner safe.

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

To minimize the chance that combustibles can reach their ignition point, some woodburners require an extremely vast distance between them and combustibles. This is usually stated by the manufacturer in the instruction manual, which is available to be downloaded from their website.

You can install wall protectors to decrease the clearances required for your stove as a way to keep that space. These are subjected to rigorous tests, and are certified by the manufacturer to be safe to reduce the clearances required for your stove.

A wall shield consists of a thin frame of metal that is positioned over the back of your stove, covering the flue system. This acts as a barrier to stop the walls from heating up and sparking any combustible material behind them. This is a good choice, especially for newly built homes where the construction is mostly composed of sheetrock (gypsum) or brick veneers, which do not offer much protection against the high temperatures generated by a woodburner.

Shielding Combustible Surfaces

Woodburning stoves generate a great deal of heat, which means that there is a danger of causing damage to walls around the stove as well as in the close vicinity. The best way to prevent this is to put up walls with a shield that will cut down on the heat produced by the stove and help protect the wall itself. Wall protectors are available in many different styles, from simple heat shields to more complex built-in models. The best wall protectors combine brick with metal to reflect heat away from the stove, and also prevent it from spreading onto the walls.

The kind of wood used to burn in the stove is an important aspect to consider. Certain types of wood are known to create creosote, which can block the fireplace and increase the fire risk. It is recommended to only use seasoned hardwoods for stoves. This will ensure that the fire burns at a sufficient temperature to eliminate any remaining moisture, decreasing the accumulation of creosote deposits.

Some examples of suitable hardwoods include Ash, Elm, and Beech. Pine is not a great option as it creates a lot smoke and can cause creosote-like deposits in the flue system. The Larch cheap wood burner is also not recommended as it is susceptible to Phytophthora the ramorum disease. It can also pose health hazards when taken out 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 right woodburner in order to maximize efficiency and comfort. You can cut down on fuel costs by avoiding larger and more expensive stoves.