Installing a wood-burning stove is more than just picking the perfect stove – the real hard work lies in the preparation. Get this right, and you are setting yourself up for success!
However, it’s not a casual DIY job that you can attempt yourself…
Installing a wood-burning stove requires careful planning and professional expertise to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance with local regulations.
In this guide, we’re breaking down all the steps you (alongside a professional) need to take before your stove ever arrives at your home. From thinking about the best place to put your stove, to understanding building regulations – this resource will help you navigate the process and ensure you don’t make any costly mistakes.
The benefits of proper wood-burning stove preparation
Proper preparation isn’t just a box-ticking exercise. And it isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about ensuring safety, efficiency, and compliance with local regulations – an investment in the longevity of your wood-burning stove.
Taking the time to do it right from the beginning and leaning on the professionals will save you headaches, money, and potential health hazards.
Here’s a more in-depth look at why proper preparation matters and the benefits it brings:
1. Safety
While stoves are built for safety these days, we are still dealing with extremely hot temperatures, flames and burning of organic matter – all things that if not dealt with properly can cause hazards.
We don’t want that, so you need to properly prepare the stove and surrounding area to reduce the risks associated with wood-burning stoves.
Professional installation will help you:
- Reduce Fire Hazards: Ensuring safe distances between the stove, combustible materials, and walls minimises the chance of accidental fires.
- Improved Air Quality: Preparation includes inspecting seals and ventilation systems to prevent smoke or harmful gases, like carbon monoxide, from entering your home.
- Reliable Operation: A correctly installed stove avoids issues like backdrafts or chimney blockages, ensuring it works smoothly and safely.
2. Efficiency
While it’s essential under Eco-Design standards that stoves meet a minimum efficiency of 75%, installing it properly with adequate ventilation makes sure you get the best burn – meaning you get more energy from your fuel.
Maximising your stove’s performance starts with proper installation and planning.
- Optimised Heating Performance: Placement, proper ventilation, and using seasoned firewood all contribute to consistent, efficient heat output.
- Reduced Fuel Consumption: A well-prepared stove burns wood more completely and evenly, saving you money and effort over time.
- Longer Stove Life: Proper setup prevents wear and tear on critical components like the firebox and chimney liner, helping your stove last for years.
3. Compliance
While you don’t need a professional installation, you do need to ensure that a wood-burning stove complies with Welsh building regulations, so proper installation helps:
- Meet Local Building Codes: Proper installation ensures compliance with regulations, avoiding fines or the need for retroactive adjustments.
- Insurance Approval: Stoves installed to code are more likely to meet insurance requirements, protecting you in case of accidents.
- Environmentally Friendly: Preparation often involves meeting emissions standards and reducing the environmental impact of burning wood.
Remember: this isn’t a casual DIY project – professional expertise is essential to get it done correctly and legally.
Read more: Choosing the Right Wood-Burning Stove: The Ultimate Guide for Wales
Wood-burning stoves: the key preparation steps
So, now you know why it’s important, but what do you (or a professional) actually have to do to make sure you’re setting yourself up for the best wood-burning stove installation?
We’re breaking it down step-by-step so you know everything you need to think about.
1. Evaluate your installation space
Choosing the right space for your wood-burning stove is the first and most critical step in the installation process as it impacts everything from safety and efficiency to structural requirements and compliance.
It’s a good idea to discuss your plans with experienced installers early on as they can help identify potential challenges and offer practical advice for placement, including:
There are a few things you need to think about when it comes to your space and the stove…
Space requirements…
A wood-burning stove generates significant heat, and your space needs to accommodate it safely and efficiently.
- Room size: Make sure the room is large enough to handle the stove’s heat output without overheating or feeling cramped.
Heating needs: Calculate how much heat is required to keep your space warm. This depends on the room’s size, insulation, and factors like drafts or large windows.
Pro Tip: We have a guide on how to choose the right stove size here.
The best location for your stove…
It might seem like a no-brainer, but the placement of your stove plays a major role in both heating performance and safety. You need to think about:
- Room layout and dimensions: Consider your room’s size and layout to determine the ideal spot for the stove. A central location often provides the most even heat distribution.
- Clearance requirements: Ensure the stove is a safe distance from walls, furniture, and flammable materials to prevent fire hazards.
Ventilation requirements…
Chimneys and proper ventilation are crucial for the safe and efficient operation of a wood-burning stove.
But, just because you already have an existing chimney or ventilation system does not mean you will meet modern safety standards. And if you have an older Welsh cottage or a modern airtight home, then you may need additional vents to ensure sufficient airflow for safe and efficient combustion.
You will need to think about:
- Airflow: Good airflow is critical for combustion and prevents smoke or harmful gases from entering your home.
- Negative pressure: Airtight homes may experience negative pressure, which can hinder stove performance.
Again, a professional can assess your existing ventilation and let you know whether you need to install more or not.
Structural considerations…
You also need to think about the structural integrity of your home, to ensure that the area around the stove is safe for use.
You’ll mainly need to ensure that the floor is strong enough, as stoves and their hearths can be heavy, and the floor needs to support the combined weight. Homes with suspended or wooden floors may require load-bearing modifications and reinforcement to avoid sagging or damage. And heavier stoves may need reinforced hearths or custom platforms to distribute weight evenly and make sure the flooring can support the weight.
By thoroughly assessing your space and consulting with professional installers, you can avoid common pitfalls and ensure a safe, efficient, and compliant installation.
2. Inspect or prepare your chimney
A functioning chimney or flue is essential for the safe and efficient operation of a wood-burning stove. It removes harmful gases like carbon monoxide, prevents smoke buildup inside your home, and ensures proper airflow for efficient combustion.
Without a well-maintained chimney or flue, your stove may struggle to burn effectively, increasing safety risks and reducing heat output.
Just because you have a chimney doesn’t mean that it will be suitable for a wood-burning stove, especially if you live in a cottage with a traditional and narrow chimney.
So, the first step is to have a professional chimney inspection. This can identify issues like soot buildup, blockages, cracks, or damaged linings that may require repair or replacement. They may advise repairs or modifications if your chimney requires it for safety and efficiency.
If you don’t already have a chimney, a professional can help you understand what you need to do to install one properly.
Certified installers ensure your chimney or flue complies with safety standards, functions optimally, and avoids future risks.
3. Compliance with regulations and building codes
One of the main reasons people want to install a wood-burning stove is for the environmental benefits. The DEFRA smoke control standards, are designed to reduce air pollution, so it’s important that you install a stove that complies with these, especially if you live in a smoke-controlled zone, or it could land you in trouble and cause environmental harm.
It’s also essential to hire certified log burner installers who know the ins and outs of Welsh building codes. They’ll ensure your installation is safe, compliant, and legal.
Skipping professional help can be risky. Not only could you face fines for breaking regulations, but an improperly installed stove can lead to serious safety hazards like fire or carbon monoxide leaks.
Don’t take the risk; get it done right with the right people.
4. Insurance and Liability
Wood-burning stoves are designed to be as safe as possible, however, that doesn’t change the fact that there were 218 chimney fires in Wales between 2023 and 2024.
While this was a decrease on previous years, due to increased safety standards, getting the right insurance for your stove is essential. You need to make sure that your stove is covered within the insurance plan that you pick.
And this is why getting professional guidance, again, becomes important, as some providers will insist on professional installation in order to cover your stove. Non-compliance with the manufacturer’s guidelines can render your insurance null and void.
5. Select the right stove and accessories
Now, it’s time for the fun part! Selecting a stove that you love, and that suits all your needs.
Hopefully, if you’ve consulted a professional, you know where your stove is going, what size you need and if you’ve got the right structural set-up for it.
You’ll also need to think about getting all the right accessories, including a hearth, heatproof gloves, and tools to maintain your stove.
Read more: The Best Eco-Friendly, Wood-Burning Stoves for Sustainable Homes in Wales
6. Clear the installation area
It’s almost time for the big day (installation day), and it’s time to clear away anything that might get in the way of your professional team.
Remove furniture, rugs, and other items from the area to allow easy access for your installers, and protect your flooring and nearby walls if necessary.
Don’t forget to discuss any concerns you have with your installers upfront. If they are experienced they will have seen it all and will be able to talk you through and ease your fears.
Do you need professional preparation for a wood-burning stove?
We know what you are thinking!
Can’t you just read this blog and then do it yourself?
Well, you could, but it’s a lot of complex information and requires a lot of skill and experience to know how to do it right. Unfortunately, the cost of doing it incorrectly is very high and can include fires, health hazards and environmental harm.
So, long story short, this isn’t really a DIY project, and we recommend getting professional expertise to ensure you get it right from the start.
Ready to install a wood-burning stove?
Preparing your home for a wood-burning stove installation is as, if not more, important than choosing the right stove itself. Whether you’re in a traditional Welsh cottage or a modern home in Wales, it ensures you’ll enjoy a safe and compliant wood-burning stove for years to come and that you’re getting it right from the start.
And it’s not something that a non-professional can be expected to know and get right. This is why we recommend partnering with a certified professional who can guide you every step of the way. By following these steps and working with certified installers, you can create a warm, inviting space that complies with regulations and enhances your home’s charm.
If you’re thinking about installing a wood-burner in Wales, then get in touch with us, to see what you need to do to get your home ready for installation, and let us make sure we get it right.
