What is the minimum distance around a wood-burning stove?

Author: Jabari Deckow  |  Last update: Saturday, September 27, 2025

Woodburning appliances shall be installed with the following minimum clearances to combustible construction: Above the top of appliance--thirty-six inches; from front--thirty-six inches; from back--thirty-six inches; from sides--thirty-six inches.

How much space is needed around a wood stove?

Clearance to Combustible Materials: A minimum clearance of 36 inches from the sides and rear of the wood stove to any combustible materials. A minimum clearance of 36 inches from the top of the stove to the ceiling or any combustible materials above it.

What is the clearance required around a wood burning stove?

How much space to leave around a wood burner? For non-combustible materials, the typical minimum distance or clearance required from the front and rear of the stove's external surface to surrounding walls is 150mm. This clearance requirement is for both freestanding stoves and wood burners installed within a recess.

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.

What is the minimum clearance around a wood burning 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.

Wood Stove Clearances

How much gap do you need around a wood burning stove?

This information can often be found on the back of the appliance, as well as in the stove manual. The distance specified will vary between different woodburners, depending on their heat output and other factors, but typical advice would be a gap of more than 400mm around your wood-burning stove.

How close can a wood stove be from a wall?

All combustible materials, wood- work, unprotected walls, furniture, firewood, etc., should be no closer than 36 inches to a wood stove. A stove pipe should not be closer than 18 inches to an unprotected ceiling.

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.

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.

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 much clearance do you need either side of a stove?

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 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 close can a wood stove be to a wall with a 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 ...

How much space do you need around stove?

Space in front of the range: It is a good idea to allow at least 40 inches of space in front of a range and 48-60 inches between the range and other appliances to ensure the door can open fully and you still have room around it to move, particularly if you have a kitchen island.

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

Wood stoves have very specific requirements about how close they can be placed to combustible surfaces. The distance varies by stove, but many stoves are required to be eight to 36 inches away from a combustible wall.

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.

Do I need to line the chimney for a wood burning stove?

It is usually recommended you line your chimney to keep it working as safely and efficiently as possible.

What are the rules for a wood stove chimney?

A chimney must extend at least 3 feet above a flat roof and at least 2 feet above a roof ridge or any raised part of a roof within 10 feet. Sometimes getting enough vertical clearance to prevent eddy currents from affecting chimney draft is impossible. This may be because of unusual heights of nearby trees.

What is the standard height between chimney and stove?

We understand the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy kitchen environment and also let's understand how a kitchen chimney may help. 1.) For effective smoke capture, consider the height and distance from the hob: The space between the stove and the chimney should be between 26 and 32 inches.

How much space do you need around a wood burning stove?

A minimum of 150mm (6”) is required above the stove (500mm if there is a wooden mantle/beam) and 100mm (4”) either side. However, the more space you have around the stove, the more effectively it will heat the room.

What is the minimum clearance for a wood stove?

All-fuel metal chimneys (insulated double-wall or triple wall) usually require a 2- inch clearance from combustibles. Double-wall stove-pipe vent connectors require a 9-inch clearance from combustibles or a clearance listed on the product. Single wall vent connectors must be at least 18 inches from combustibles.

What is the gap around a wood burning stove?

Usually recommendations for distances to non-combustibles are between 5cm and 15cm. To combustible materials we are looking at far more (often 40-80cm).

What is the best thing to put behind a wood burning 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 clearance do you need around a wood burner?

Your hearth needs to have: At least 300mm clearance at the front of the burner. At least 150mm clearance on either side.

How close can a stove be next to a wall?

Ranges. Electric Ranges require 0" side wall clearance above the counter height but up to 6" is recommended to avoid possible heat damage to surrounding surfaces.

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