What do you put between wood stove and wall?

Author: Hyman Johnston DDS  |  Last update: Monday, December 8, 2025

Ceramic Tile and Equivalent Noncombustible Heat Shield As with other heat shields, use ceramic spacers to separate the board from the wall. A ceramic tile or similar is an example of this.

What can I put behind my wood stove to reflect heat?

A piece of cement sheet behind and under the wood heater covered with some nice tiles will look good and shield your walls and floor from the radiant heat behind and under the unit. You can use slate or even stone counter-top offcuts too!.

What is the air gap between wall and wood stove?

Local building codes dictate the legal minimums for clearances to combustible materials like wood framing or panels. These mandated wood-burning stove air gaps are much more significant, usually 12 to 18 inches on the sides. Building codes don't regulate gaps for non-combustibles.

What is the best material to deflect heat behind a stove?

You can use metal sheets like corrugated metal roofing. Then air gap. It looks good and reflects heat back into the room.

How do you prepare a wall behind a wood stove?

Fireproofing Tips: For additional protection, install a heat shield between the stove and the wall. Heat shields not only reduce wall temperatures but can also allow you to place the stove closer to the wall, maximizing space efficiency.

How close can my wood stove be to the wall?

What to put between a wood stove and a wall?

Heat Shield Made of Sheet Metal

Stainless steel is the most often used material in this area, and it, like stainless steel in the kitchen, is simple to clean. Ensure, however, that you use ceramic spacers to safeguard your walls. A classic example of metal wall protection for a wood-burning stove is the fireback.

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.

What is the best thing to put under a wood burning stove?

Ceramic or stone tile is an excellent choice for floor protection because of three characteristics: They are a very strong and durable material. They withstand the heat and weight of the stove without deformation or damage.

What should I put behind my stove wall?

Ceramic tile is one of the most common backsplash materials. It's widely available in a vast array of colors, styles and textures, and it's one of the most inexpensive backsplash materials, as well.

What can be used as a heat shield?

Some high-end rigid heat shields are made out of either aluminum, gold or composite, with most examples including a ceramic coating to provide a thermal barrier, which improves heat insulation. The flexible heat shield are normally made from thin aluminum or gold sheeting, most commonly sold either flat or in a roll.

Can you vent a wood stove straight out the wall?

You have to use a UL-approved Stainless Steel Class "A" insulated chimney or a sound masonry chimney. Here are some of the ways you can install a chimney in your home. There are 2 basic ways to vent a wood-burning stove, (1) straight up and out the ceiling or (2) out the wall and along the side of the house.

What is the safe distance 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 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.

Do you need anything behind a wood stove?

Although wood-burning stoves are manufactured and designed so that most of the heat they generate does not affect the wall of your home, it is a good option when installing a wood-burning stove to place an insulating or reflective material behind it to protect the wall from the heat and avoid possible problems of ...

How do you distribute heat from a wood stove?

Using a fan to circulate heat

It's one of those immutable laws of the universe, but that doesn't mean you can't move it around. A fan sits on top of your wood burning stove and the heat from your stove will cause the fan to spin (no need to plug anything in!) and subsequently move the heat around the room.

How do you prevent backdraft on a wood stove?

Adequate Air Supply: Adjust the stove's air vents and consider slightly opening a window in the same room when starting the fire to introduce fresh air and help balance the pressure. Regular Chimney Maintenance: Ensure your chimney is clean and free from obstructions.

What can I put on the wall behind my wood stove?

Replacing the back wall with heat-resistant materials, like heat-resistant stones or a specialized wood stove heat shield, can be cumbersome and aesthetically displeasing. A simpler, more elegant solution is to use a cast iron fireback as a heat shield for the wood stove.

What is the code for the wall behind a wood stove?

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 can I put behind my stove without back?

A tile backsplash behind the stove serves as a focal point, adding style and character to your kitchen. It's also practical, protecting the wall from heat, splatters, and spills, and it's easier to clean compared to other wall surfaces.

What to sit a wood stove on?

The most common and best hearth material for a wood burning stove is stone, especially slate and granite. However, you will also find hearths made from glass and steel. These can withstand high temperatures without cracking or posing a fire hazard.

What do I put on the wall behind my stove?

You might consider just putting a simple piece of stainless steel behind it. I've never had any safety issues with just painted drywall behind the range, but it can get stained with grease or be difficult to wipe down if the wall has a bit of texture or what's on there is really stuck.

How do I keep my wood burning stove going all night?

To extend this duration, reduce the air supply to a trickle, ensuring the vents beneath the fuel bed remain open for airflow. Avoid overloading the stove beyond the fuel retaining bar, and do not obstruct air holes at the stove's rear. Leave space between the top of the fuel bed and the baffle plate.

What board to use behind a wood stove?

You should use a stove board that is UL Certified for Safety. This means it was laboratory tested under various conditions to meet safety standards for wood-burning stoves. The decision to use Type 1 or Type 2 rated pads depends on how much heat protection you need.

Is drywall ok behind a wood stove?

If you're wondering whether you can use drywall in a fireplace insert surround, the answer is: No.

What is an alternative to cement board?

Mat-faced gypsum cover boards are increasingly used as a cement board alternative because they are lighter and easier to install. There are also performance enhancing benefits that mat-faced gypsum cover boards have over traditional cement alternatives.

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