Installing shed wood burner can bring warmth to any house regardless of whether it's small or an outdoor cabin. There are some regulations you need to follow to put your stove in the right place.
These guidelines include ensuring certain distances between your stove and combustible items. To help you, we've put together this guide.
Room Size
Woodburners can be found in a wide variety of outputs. It is important to consider the size of your home when choosing the stove. Many people make the error of buying a woodburner that is too big for their house. This could negatively impact the efficiency and performance of the stove. This is why it's crucial to visit a showroom in order to find out what the ideal size of a woodburner is for your home and make use of a stove sizing calculator to work out how much heat the stove will produce.
A good guideline is to calculate the length, width and height of the room in meters and multiply these together. Divide the result by 14 and you'll get an approximate estimation of the amount of heat required. This is a rough guide. Other elements, such as the amount of insulation in a property or the number of exterior walls, or the size of the windows in a room could affect the actual output needed.
A ventillation kit, or basic air brick, is necessary for any stove that produces more than 5kW. This will ensure that the wood is burned efficiently and the stove doesn't get too hot. This can reduce the efficiency of the stove, and lead to soot build up on the glass and in the chimney.
It is also important to know that your small woodburner should be installed at a specific distance from both non-combustible and combustible surfaces with a certain value. These parameters will be explained in the handbook of the manufacturer so ensure that you refer to this when installing your stove and follow these guidelines. Keep your stove free of non-combustible and combustible substances will allow you to avoid any fire hazards and ensure safe operation of your log burner.
Flue System
The flue system is the passageway through which the exhaust gases produced by your woodburning stove travel to be expelled outside. This ensures clean indoor air by preventing the accumulation of harmful pollutants and odours. The flue also blocks the transfer of heat to combustible materials in your home, avoiding the risk of fire and smoke damage.
It's important 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 it is properly ventilated. If your chimney is clogged it is possible to call in a professional for inspection and cleaning. The flammable byproducts of burning wood in your stove can cause creosote to accumulate inside the flue. If it builds up to an excessive amount, it can ignite and cause chimney fires, among other problems.
There are several different types of flues you can use for your fireplace or woodburning stove such as masonry chimneys and double-wall flue systems. Masonry chimneys are typically built using mortar and bricks and double-wall flues are made up of a chimney liners made of stainless steel. Masonry chimneys can be installed with almost any fireplace, however, it is recommended to be 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 working properly.
You can opt for flexible liner in the event that you have an old chimney made of masonry in need of being relined. This will ensure a smooth surface from the fireplace up to the outlet. These are available in a variety of sizes and can be installed either externally or internally, according to the layout of your fireplace. These liners also have insulation, which keeps the flue gas warmer and enhances efficiency.
The twin wall flue system is a popular choice for homes that do not have chimneys. They are simple to install, and have a double-skinned Stainless steel that is smooth inside and has a corrugated outside. This is ideal for high temperatures. They can be used with both masonry and double-wall chimneys, however, they are only installed in houses that meet strict building regulations.
Distances from Combustible Surfaces
When you are choosing a woodburner the space around your stove is the most important aspect. You don't want your new small woodburner to be too close to any combustible materials as they can become very hot and create danger of fire.
The majority of woodburners have guidelines on the distance from surfaces that are flammable you should keep them, this information is available in the instruction manual of the stove and is usually stated in terms of distances from the front, rear and sides. However, these guidelines may vary based on the kind of wood burner and the heat output they offer.
To prevent any potential hazards from occurring, we strongly advise you always follow the specific guidelines provided by the manufacturer of your woodburner. Regular inspections and maintenance carried out by a professional is also vital to ensure that your woodburner is in good condition.
During these inspections your woodburner technician will be able to identify any potential problems or safety issues and ensure you are following the correct 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 working order.
Some woodburners require a very large gap to be maintained from combustible materials in order to reduce the risk of them reaching their ignition point. The manufacturer will typically specify this in the manual for the stove, which you can download from their website.
You can install a wall protector to reduce the clearances required for your stove as an alternative to keep that space. They're subjected tests and are certified by the manufacturer to be able to safely reduce the necessary clearances.
A wall shield is a thin frame of metal that is positioned over the stove's back, covering the flue system. This is a barrier that prevents the walls from heating up and igniting the combustible material behind them. This is a great option for homes that are being built from scratch, where the construction typically consists of sheetrock (gypsum) or brick veneer, which does not offer much protection against the extreme heat generated by woodburners.
Shielding Combustible Surfaces
Woodburning stoves can be extremely hot, and this means they can cause damage to walls around them. The best way to avoid this is to install an exterior wall shield that will cut down on the heat produced by the stove, and also help protect the wall itself. Wall protections are available in a range of forms including simple heat shields to more sophisticated built-in models. The best wall protectors combine metal with brick to reflect heat away from the stove and stop it from spreading onto the walls.
The kind of wood used in the stove must be taken into consideration. Some types of wood tend to produce creosote, which can cause obstruction to the fireplace and increase the risk of fire. It is best to select only hardwoods that are well-seasoned for stoves. This will ensure that the fire burns hot enough to remove any moisture and reduce the buildup of creosote.
Ash, Elm and Beech are examples of hardwoods that have been processed and seasoned. Pine is not a good option, as it tends to release lots of smoke and has an oily appearance, which can lead to creosote-like deposits that resemble tar within the flue system. The Larch wood is not recommended due to its susceptible to Phytophthora ramorum disease. It also poses health risks when transported out of its natural habitat.
No matter if you require a small woodburner for your loft apartment or country nook, there is an option that will fit your lifestyle and budget. It is crucial to select the right woodburner in order to maximize efficiency and comfort. By choosing to avoid bigger stoves that are more expensive that are more expensive, you can save on running expenses while having the warm atmosphere that comes with a traditional woodburner.