How close can a wood stove be to brick?

Author: Thelma Greenholt  |  Last update: Friday, March 14, 2025

There is no building regulation involved here: a stove can go as close to a brick wall as you like as long as there are no combustible materials around (as an example inset stoves almost touch or do touch the brickwork so, obviously, there can be no safety issue). You cannot overheat brick or stone.

How close can a wood stove be to a brick wall?

While older stoves needed as much as 36”, newer stoves can be put as close as 6” to combustible walls with no additional protection needed. This is accomplished by the use of built-in heat shields and combustion designs which project the majority of the stoves heat away from the rear and side walls.

What is the minimum clearance around a wood stove?

Wood frame walls covered with dry wall are considered combustible. If no wall protection is used, the common radiant-type stove or heater must be spaced out at least 36 inches from the wall. This distance may be reduced considerably if asbestos millboard and/or 28 gage sheet metal is used for wall protection.

What is the 3:2-10 rule for wood stoves?

3-2-10 Rule Explained

Explained, the chimney pipe must be a minimum of three feet above the roof but also two feet taller than anything within ten feet.

How far should a wood stove be from a stone wall?

With no protection, Woodstock Soapstone wood stoves require at least 30 inches of clearance between the stove and combustible walls, furniture, etc. both in front of and behind the stove. Clearance must be 18 inches from each side. The distance from the back of the stove to the wall is of greatest interest.

How close can my wood stove be to the wall?

How close can a wood stove be to cement board?

Using PermaBASE Cement Board as a wall protector in between the stove and the combustible wall materials allows you to shrink that distance by 40% or down to 14".

How much space should be between wall and wood stove?

The National Fire Protection Asso- ciation (NFPA) has developed standards for clearances from walls and ceilings that are the basis for many local building codes (Table 1). All combustible materials, wood- work, unprotected walls, furniture, firewood, etc., should be no closer than 36 inches to a wood stove.

What is the minimum space around a wood burning stove?

Stove manufacturer's usually request a certain air gap around wood burning stoves, to non-combustible materials (not to be confused with combustible materials), left and right: usually between 2″ (50mm) and 6″ (150mm).

Is it OK to burn 2x4 in wood stove?

The chemicals used can release dangerous amounts of arsenic and other very toxic compounds into your home. Note: Even if you find 2x4s that aren't treated, avoid using them as firewood – they burn incredibly hot, which can be dangerous and damaging.

How high should a chimney be for a wood burning stove?

Building Regulations recommend a minimum flue height of 4.5m however the chimney must be high enough to allow for enough draught to clear the exhaust gases.

How close can a wood stove be to a wall with heat shield?

If you are using a heat shield to reduce clearances in a project subject to building codes, the shield cannot reduce clearances from the appliance to the wall less than 12" with an air-cooled shield or less than 18" with an insulated shield unless the shield and stove are specifically tested and listed for that purpose ...

Does a wood stove chimney have to go straight up?

First of all, the chimney pipes should be positioned so that they are as vertical as possible. It is important to go through walls or partitions with 45° bends. In addition, horizontal runs and 90° bends should be avoided at all costs, as they cause flue gases and clog the flues.

How close can a wood stove be to furniture?

1. Maintain the required distance between the wood stove and its surroundings. Many safety codes require wood stoves to be at least 3 feet away from any furniture, rugs, drapes or other items. 2.

What is the minimum clearance for a wood stove?

That said, it is industry standard that there is a minimum clearance of at least 36 inches between the wood-burning stove and furniture, walls, and tapestry that aren't made from combustible materials. This minimum also goes for any other flammable objects that you may have nearby.

Can cement board be used as a heat shield?

The industry's solution for heat shields

PermaBASE cement boards are the industry-preferred choice. Installation-ready and easy-to-use, PermaBASE® cement boards eliminate the need for field fabrication, saving time while allowing for enhanced performance and wood-burning stove placement closer to the wall.

How to fireproof a wall behind a wood stove?

The following are five suggestions for excellent wood stove wall protection.
  1. Heat Shield Made of Sheet Metal. ...
  2. Heat Barrier Made of Brick and Stone. ...
  3. Ceramic Tile and Equivalent Noncombustible Heat Shield. ...
  4. Combined Noncombustible Heat Shield With Tile and Metal Backing. ...
  5. Combined Noncombustible Heat Shield with Metal Backing:

Is it safe to leave wood stove burning at night?

Generally speaking, it's safe to leave your wood burning stove on overnight, as long as you take the necessary steps to ensure it is properly maintained and monitored. That said, there's always a risk of a chimney fire, so common sense with your wood burner is important.

Is it OK to burn plywood in a wood stove?

Particle board, chipboard, plywood, and MDF

Particle board should never be burnt – whether it is inside a wood-burning stove or in the open. Burning any of these in your wood burner can cause significant damage to your appliance and chimney liner.

Can you put too much wood in a wood stove?

Overloading your stove with wood provides an excess of fuel, creating a runaway burn that becomes uncontrollably hot whilst also potentially blocking the tertiary air vents and preventing the secondary burn of gases. Too much airflow feeds your fire too much oxygen, causing it to burn excessively.

How far should a wood stove be from a brick wall?

Build a 3.5-inch thick brick masonry wall framed into the combustible wall, with a 12-inch minimum clearance from the clay liner to combustibles. Use a solid, insulated, listed factory-built chimney, with a 9-inch air space to combustibles.

Do I need a heat shield behind a wood stove?

Wood stoves require heat shields both under and behind them to protect your home from heat damage. While many wood stoves include heat shields in their design, some do not.

What should a wood stove sit on?

As stated by building regulations, your stove must always be placed on a non-combustible material such as granite, slate, steel or glass.

How do you reduce clearance on a wood stove?

When it comes to wood stoves, installing a heat shield is an excellent way to reduce clearance and promote home safety. The vitreous enamel heat shield is a great solution. Vlaze Heat Shields are designed to protect and enhance the wall behind a wood burning stove creating a modern fireplace.

What is the clearance between stove and wall?

The following are general minimum clearances for ranges: 1 ½ inches to nearest adjacent sidewall above the cooktop on both sides. 30 inches between the cooktop and a cabinet. 0 inches for sides below the cooktop.

How close to a wall can a stove be?

Without a backguard, a stove or range should typically be installed at least 6 inches away from a combustible back wall surface, like drywall. With a backguard, the range can usually be installed with zero wall clearance.

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