How to install a wood burner without a chimney

How to install a wood burner without a chimney

Installing a wood burner without a prefabricated chimney is entirely possible, and with the right type of stove and location, you can enjoy all the warmth and charm it brings. In this guide, we’ll break down where you can place a wood burner and how it can still work safely and efficiently in homes without chimneys.

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Regulations & Checks

There are many factors that play a role in determining the suitability of your space for a stove installation. Before considering anything, we highly recommend that you have a registered member of a Competent Person Scheme carry out a full site survey and advise you on the right product. It is a legal requirement that the installation of wood and solid fuel appliances is the subject of notification to your building control body. Alternatively, there are several Competent Person Schemes in the UK, whose members can self-certify on completion as compliant with the requirements of the Building Regulations in England & Wales. https://www.gov.uk/building-regulations-competent-person-schemes

Installing a Flue

When installing a wood burning stove without a chimney, one of the key elements you'll need to consider is the flue. The flue plays an essential role in safely directing smoke and fumes out of your home, which the chimney would typically do.

Depending on where you plan to position your stove, you'll have options for how the flue exits the building, either internally, as a sleek extension of the stove itself, or externally along the outside of your property. An exposed flue will need to have a minimum height of 4.5 metres whether it is internal or external.

You will need to check that the termination point material is suitable for the flue and flashing kit to be fitted; wood, metal and brick would be ideal, but for obvious reasons, glass and plastic would not. We often get asked if it's possible to install a stove into a conservatory - the answer is yes, but you will need to replace a section of the glass with an appropriate panel to accommodate the flue exiting the structure.

Twin-Wall Flue

Twin-wall flue systems are key for fitting a stove without a masonry chimney. Essentially it is a series of connectable pipes to ensure that any smoke is properly vented outside, rather than a single, skinned flue pipe.

The stainless-steel pipes are separated by a layer of high-grade insulation, ensuring that the exterior wall does not get hot enough to cause damage to the surrounding structure or people in the home that could encounter it. The majority of our stoves come with the option of a rear or top flue outlet, giving you some additionally flexibility to create the most discreet heat-venting option for your wood burner.

Hearth

A hearth serves two purposes, firstly it represents a physical boundary between the heat of the stove and the living space. Secondly it is a safe, stable non-combustible platform to fix the stove body onto. Stoves weigh upwards of 40kg, so you will need to place the stove on a non-combustible hearth, be it stone or toughened glass, with a minimum thickness of 12mm, and ideally extending 300mm in front of the stove doors, with the minimum being 225mm.

Surrounding Surfaces & Heat Protection Shields

Alongside a hearth, the surrounding vertical surfaces will need to be protected from the heat, particularly if made from flammable materials such as wood and fabric. Non-combustible heat shields can be purchased, which can be positioned to the back and sides of the stove to provide further protection. Alongside reducing the fire risk, the more space you can provide around your stove, the better the heat will disperse into the room. You may find it helpful to read our article about our recommended ‘distances to materials’.

It is definitely possible to have a wood burner without a chimney, and with the right planning, you can safely enjoy the cosy ambience of a wood burning stove that will also add a stunning focal point.

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Useful links

You can locate your closest Arada retailer here

You can download brochures for our stoves here