Installing a Wood Burning Stove For a Shed

A wood burning stove for sheds is an ideal choice for those who wish to add a touch of rustic appeal to their garden. Any DEFRA-exempted shed log burner has to be placed in a smoke-control zone and the flue pipe should be adequately shielded.

It is also necessary to fit non-combustible surfaces to the walls behind and adjacent to the stove for fire safety reasons.

Size

A wood-burning stove for the shed is a wonderful option for any space and not only provide efficient heating, but also providing a rustic and beautiful look that creates warmth and atmosphere. Before you choose the right wood burning stove for your shed, or any other off grid home, like a shepherd's hut or yurt, or container home, it is essential to be aware of the safety and regulations.

When buying a log stove for a log cabin, shed or other outdoor space, the size is a crucial aspect to take into consideration. While it might be tempting to buy larger stoves than the room is actually required for, this could often lead to a lack of performance, or even overheating. To avoid this we recommend using our KW calculator to figure out the KW required for your kitchen and adding a few extra KW for safety.

There are a lot of small log burners available that are perfect for sheds and log cabins. Charnwood Country 4 is a fantastic example. It is a gorgeous design inspired by the countryside that can be a perfect fit for any shed or log cabin. It also boasts a heat production of up to 4800 watts. It is Ecodesign ready, ensuring that it burns very small wood burning stove efficiently and produces minimal air pollution. It also features a large view window and a multifuel grate, which allows you to burn both smokeless and wood fuel.

The Saltfire Peanut stove is another fantastic alternative. It is available in a variety of colours and can generate heat up to 4.7kW. This model requires a bit more distance from combustibles - 500mm on the sides and back, but this could be reduced to 100mm by shielding. It offers a wide viewing area which makes it a great option for any log cabin or shed.

Depending on the dimensions and design of your shed, you may have to install non-combustible materials around your flue pipe and stove to ensure that it is in compliance with local safety regulations. This is particularly important when your shed is constructed of any type of wood, which should be kept at least 200mm from the stove in order to prevent fires. If your shed was constructed out of any other material, you should seek the advice of an expert installation contractor to ensure that the appropriate insulation measures are in place.

Installation

A shed wood burner is a great way to make your garden retreat cozy and comfortable during colder months. However, if you want to add one to your shed, you need to make sure that it is installed properly. This will protect your shed against fire damage and make sure that the stove meets building regulations and safety standard. In addition to ensuring that the space around the stove is free of flammable materials, you must ensure that the shed has adequate ventilation. The shed could become dangerous if it does not have adequate ventilation. This is due to the fact that carbon monoxide can get sucked up.

Installing a shed wood burner begins with measuring the space you'd like to put it in. Consider the dimensions of the cast iron wood burner stove and any other accessories that may be required. Then, consult the instructions of the manufacturer on the safe distance to combustible materials. Also, you must take into account the insulation levels of the shed as they could affect how much heat is produced by the stove.

Once you've taken measurements of the space and marked the area where you intend to create the opening in the shed wall. Use the plumb line to get the positions right, and be sure to leave a sufficient clearance between the stove's back and the wall, and between the side walls of the shed and the chimney stack. Install a heat shield to protect the shed wall against the heat generated by the stove. It is included in the kit and connects up with the hearth plate.

Also, you must ensure that the shed has an uncombustible hearth that is typically constructed of either slate or granite, or concrete. The hearth must be minimum of 12mm thick, 225mm wide in the front, and 150mm wide on the sides and back. The flue pipe has to be shielded and the safe distance between surfaces that are combustible cannot exceed 200 millimetres.

After you have installed the stove and hearth, you need to wait at least 24 hrs before lighting it up for the first time. This is to allow the sealants and mortar used to set properly.

Ventilation

A wood stove needs oxygen to burn. Without airflow, it can cause a flame that isn't burning or even carbon monoxide. Vents will ensure that air continues to flow around the stove while it is in use and prevents carbon monoxide from building up and assisting with circulation of air. Vents should be the same size or larger than the chimney/flue and should be located as close to the stove as is possible.

There are several regulations that you must follow, particularly with regards to ventilation, when you install wood burners for sale-burning stoves in a shed. If you don't adhere to these regulations, you could end up being fined. To avoid this, you should hire a HETAS-registered installer to complete your installation and provide an official certificate of conformance.

The Building Regulation Approved document Part J, which governs the installation of chimneys and flues must also be followed. The distance between the flue pipe and any combustible materials, such as ceilings or walls are also covered. The stove and flue must be protected from fire damage by either heat shielding or an insulation panel.

It is recommended to put an board that is insulated behind and in front of the outlet for the flue. This will prevent flue gasses from being drawn into un-insulated walls which could cause fire damage.

You can also shield the shed from dampness by ensuring you place it away from potential sources of moisture. This includes any doors or windows and any locations where rainwater may spill onto the stove and chimney pipe.

A dehumidifier also helps to reduce the moisture in the air, resulting in a more pleasant environment. It can also help keep fungus and mould from forming on the surfaces within your shed, which can affect the performance of the stove and lead to damage.

The type of fuel you burn in your log stove can affect the performance of your log burner. Avoid burning treated wood off-cuts, or particle boards. These kinds of materials release harmful chemicals that can harm the stove and flue system and may produce excessive emissions and potentially dangerously high temperatures in flue gases. Don't burn any rubbish such as tyres paper, plastic or paper, these are not good for the environment and could clog up your stove.

Safety

It is possible to install a log stove in an outdoor shed. However it is essential to follow the proper instructions for installation and to ensure that you are taking all safety precautions. This includes ensuring that your shed is in compliance with the requirements for installing log burners and also making sure that your chimney and flue system is in good functioning order. It's also a good idea to ensure that you have the correct fire insurance in the correct location.

The first thing you should consider when looking for the best wood burning stove shed to install a wood stove is its construction materials. Some sheds may not be suitable for the installation of log burners due a fire safety issues. You should also be aware that using wood as a construction material for this application may be prohibited by local plans regulations.

The next step is to make sure that your shed has adequate ventilation. Carbon monoxide is a health risk and can cause issues due to the inefficiency of the combustion process. A lack of ventilation could also lead to damp issues and condensation in the shed.

Be sure that the shed isn't situated too close to a staircase, as this will cause warmed air to rise and lose heat as it rises. Likewise the shed should not be situated too far from a window as this could also cause drafts that can cause stoves to be unable to function, like the open window detection system.

It's also important to check the roof of your shed for watertightness, and to make sure that the flue pipe is properly sealed. It is recommended to hire an expert roofer for the job to ensure that it is done to a high-standard and in compliance with the building and fire codes. You should also keep an extinguisher of class A in the shed in order to respond swiftly to any fire or smoke problems. It is recommended to check your shed at least once per year to find signs of wear or damage that requires to be repaired. Also, have the chimney and flue swept regularly to prevent creosote build-up.