How to Prepare a Chimney for a Wood-burning Stove
Dreaming of a wood-burner? Find out how to go about installing one with this expert guide
If you’d like to install a wood-burning stove in your home, your first step is to ensure you have a safe chimney outlet or flue to extract the fumes. Wondering where to start? Follow these tips from Houzz professionals to find out.
Before you choose a wood-burning stove, research carefully to ensure it complies with the current guidelines on particle emissions.
Professional advice from: Daniel Sanders of Modus Fireplaces; Michael Schienke of VORBILD Architecture; Nick Dobby of Feature Fireplaces Harrogate
Before you choose a wood-burning stove, research carefully to ensure it complies with the current guidelines on particle emissions.
Professional advice from: Daniel Sanders of Modus Fireplaces; Michael Schienke of VORBILD Architecture; Nick Dobby of Feature Fireplaces Harrogate
Check your chimney is suitable
Before you install a new fire, it’s essential to check your chimney, flue, chimney stack and chimney pots are safe and suitable for fitting a fire.
“You have to perform a flue tightness test on existing chimneys and flues to verify their integrity,” Daniel says. “This would be done by a chimney sweep or a flue specialist.”
“To check and test a chimney,” Nick says, “we smoke bomb it to visually test for leakage, as well as visually inspecting the chimney pots. Sometimes a camera inspection internally is also necessary.”
If you’d like to install a fireplace in your home, find a specialist in your area.
Before you install a new fire, it’s essential to check your chimney, flue, chimney stack and chimney pots are safe and suitable for fitting a fire.
“You have to perform a flue tightness test on existing chimneys and flues to verify their integrity,” Daniel says. “This would be done by a chimney sweep or a flue specialist.”
“To check and test a chimney,” Nick says, “we smoke bomb it to visually test for leakage, as well as visually inspecting the chimney pots. Sometimes a camera inspection internally is also necessary.”
If you’d like to install a fireplace in your home, find a specialist in your area.
Add a lining to old chimneys
“If you’re looking to put a fireplace into an existing, older chimney, chances are that even if the passage of air is clear in principle, you’ll need to install a liner, which is a continuous metal tube connected firmly to the new burner,” Michael says.
“Over time, the bonds between bricks in a chimney become dry and loose, and harmful gases are likely to escape if a fire is lit below, so lining the chimney is essential for safety,” he explains. “Most fireplace suppliers won’t fit certain burners on their own.”
“If you’re looking to put a fireplace into an existing, older chimney, chances are that even if the passage of air is clear in principle, you’ll need to install a liner, which is a continuous metal tube connected firmly to the new burner,” Michael says.
“Over time, the bonds between bricks in a chimney become dry and loose, and harmful gases are likely to escape if a fire is lit below, so lining the chimney is essential for safety,” he explains. “Most fireplace suppliers won’t fit certain burners on their own.”
Consult rules and regulations
When it comes to Buildings Regulations, the specific rules depend on the type of fire you choose and the ventilation and flue system you have, Daniel explains. “Building Regulations Document J covers all regulations regarding both wood and gas fireplaces,” he says. “A fireplace specialist can advise on these requirements in accordance with the regulations.”
Michael says there’s no need to add air bricks or extra ventilation to the room if the fireplace is under a certain size. “If that size is exceeded, additional background ventilation is essential,” he says. “This also helps the fireplace to work properly, by allowing ample air to be led into the room.
“If you buy an old property, there’s a rule that if the fireplace has been in continuous use (broadly speaking), you can just replace it with a new one, provided it’s of no larger power than the one you’re replacing,” he adds. “In this case, the fireplace stack doesn’t need to be lined.” However, he does strongly recommend you install the lining for safety.
However, do check whether or not you live in a smokeless zone, as you might want to consider an alternative fire, such as electric or bioethanol.
When it comes to Buildings Regulations, the specific rules depend on the type of fire you choose and the ventilation and flue system you have, Daniel explains. “Building Regulations Document J covers all regulations regarding both wood and gas fireplaces,” he says. “A fireplace specialist can advise on these requirements in accordance with the regulations.”
Michael says there’s no need to add air bricks or extra ventilation to the room if the fireplace is under a certain size. “If that size is exceeded, additional background ventilation is essential,” he says. “This also helps the fireplace to work properly, by allowing ample air to be led into the room.
“If you buy an old property, there’s a rule that if the fireplace has been in continuous use (broadly speaking), you can just replace it with a new one, provided it’s of no larger power than the one you’re replacing,” he adds. “In this case, the fireplace stack doesn’t need to be lined.” However, he does strongly recommend you install the lining for safety.
However, do check whether or not you live in a smokeless zone, as you might want to consider an alternative fire, such as electric or bioethanol.
Consider size and location
“The fireplace should be sized in accordance with the width and height of the chimney or flue,” Daniel says. Your fitter should be able to help you with this.
“Bear in mind that the location of a fireplace needn’t be restricted to where there’s an existing chimney,” he adds. “New flue systems made from rigid, insulated pipes can be installed, allowing fireplaces to be located more or less anywhere.”
To see more from any of the designers whose photos are featured in this article, click on the image, then on Learn More if you’re in the app, and follow the links to the professional’s profile.
“The fireplace should be sized in accordance with the width and height of the chimney or flue,” Daniel says. Your fitter should be able to help you with this.
“Bear in mind that the location of a fireplace needn’t be restricted to where there’s an existing chimney,” he adds. “New flue systems made from rigid, insulated pipes can be installed, allowing fireplaces to be located more or less anywhere.”
To see more from any of the designers whose photos are featured in this article, click on the image, then on Learn More if you’re in the app, and follow the links to the professional’s profile.
Don’t forget the hearth
Our experts recommend installing a hearth, and explain that it’s required for wood fires. “Hearths can be made from a range of natural materials,” Nick says, “including marble, granite, slate or stone, as well as tiles or glass.”
Tell us…
Are you planning to install a fireplace in your home? Did you find these tips useful? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Our experts recommend installing a hearth, and explain that it’s required for wood fires. “Hearths can be made from a range of natural materials,” Nick says, “including marble, granite, slate or stone, as well as tiles or glass.”
Tell us…
Are you planning to install a fireplace in your home? Did you find these tips useful? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Once you’ve removed any existing fireplace, the opening may need to be cleaned up and the lintel forming the opening strengthened or replaced, Michael Schienke says. “The former is easy; the latter might cost a few hundred pounds, depending on the state of it.”
“You will need a structural engineer to check the structure and then a builder will need to form the appropriate opening and install any lintels necessary,” Daniel Sanders says. “Cost is dependent on the individual contractors you hire, and the building work can normally be done in a day.”
“It can be a messy affair, but it’s something that specialists do on a daily basis,” Nick Dobby says. “First, we sheet the whole of the room, covering furniture and carpets, then we remove the old fireplace and open up the chimney back to the bricklayer’s opening.
“The rubble and rubbish is then removed from site,” he adds, “and the new fire, fireplace or stove is installed within the day.”
“If your fireplace has been blocked, or bricked up completely, the costs for opening it up and cleaning or restoring the inside could be £500 to £600,” Michael says.
How to maintain your wood-burning stove.