Installing your stove

Choosing the right model is only half the job. Dave Saunders, technical and standards manager at Stovax, gives his top tips to help you set your stove up properly

1 Perfect positioning

Your stove must be a minimum distance from walls and other surfaces, known as combustible materials. Each woodburning stove’s distance to combustibles varies depending on design.

2 Call in the professionals

After you’ve selected your stove, contact an expert retailer who will work out which heat output is best for your living space. It’s important to size the stove correctly for the most efficient use. They’ll also assess your chimney for the installation. If it’s in poor condition or not suitable, a chimney liner may be advised to make it safe.

3 Choosing a hearth

This must be made from a non-combustible material – slate, stone and tiles are all popular – and big enough that any burning fuel or hot embers that fall, don’t land on anything that could catch fire.

4 Assess the chimney

If you don’t have a traditional chimney, you may be able to install a pre-fabricated one that runs either inside or outside your property. Or look at one of the gas and electric products suitable for homes without a chimney.