What is the minimum space around a wood burning stove?

Author: Prof. Lenora Ullrich  |  Last update: Saturday, March 1, 2025

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.

What is the clearance 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.

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

Air gaps to non-combustibles behind stoves? 2″ absolute minimum but 3″ is our minimum recommended and more if you can get it. But check those manufacturer's instructions.

How much side clearance do I need for 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.

How close can my wood stove be to the 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.

Wood Stove Clearances

What is the close clearance for a wood burning 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.

How much space should be between stove and wall?

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.

How close can a stove be to the side 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.

What is a good heat shield for a wood stove?

The best wood burning stove heat shields
  • Vlaze Solid Colour Vitreous Enamel Wall Mounted Heat Shield.
  • Vlaze Embossed Glaze Vitreous Enamel Wall Mounted Heat Shield.
  • Vlaze Crackle Glaze Vitreous Enamel Wall Mounted Heat Shield.

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.

What is the gap 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 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 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 much gap do you need behind a wood-burning stove?

Any wood trim would need to be the required clearance distance away. A couple inches is recommended for air flow around the rear of the stove to prevent uneven heating of the stove. The front will cool faster as it radiates forward, staying hotter on the rear.

What space do you need around a wood burner?

At least 300mm clearance at the front of the burner. At least 150mm clearance on either side.

What is reduced clearance for a wood stove?

The reduction is specified by NFPA and most codes. For example, when required clearance with no protection is 36 inches, a 3 1/2-inch-thick masonry wall with ventilated air space used as a wall protector, reduces clearance by maximum of 66 percent, to 12 inches from the combustible wall.

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 ...

Can I use cement board 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.

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.

Can you vent a wood stove out the side 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.

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

The good news is that most modern models of Wood Stoves are able to be put closer to walls than earlier models. 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.

How much clearance do you need around a stove?

A minimum clearance 'work zone' of 40” (102 cm) should be provided in front of a kitchen stove, with a larger 48”-60” (122-152 cm) clearance provided between other kitchen appliances.

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.

Will a 30 inch stove fit in a 30 inch space?

Stove dimensions can vary between the stove size itself and the cutout measurements. For example, a 30-inch stove may actually measure at 29⅞ inches wide, but it will require a 30-inch cutout for installation. It's important to check the exact specifications of each stove to make sure it will fit your available space.

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