Wood Stove Installation Guidelines

Measure the width, length and height of the room to determine the overall volume to ensure getting a wood stove that is capable of efficiently heating the specific area. Wood stove manufacturers rate their stoves for specific coverage and defining the room ensures choosing a unit that fully meets your requirements.

Choose a fireproof material for the hearth to support the stove. Tile, stone, brick and many designer cement blocks work well as a platform for a wood stove. The hearth finish can be applied directly to the floor surface or can be raised to better define the wood stove area, but must be a minimum 1/2-inch thickness over all combustible materials and extend beyond the front door of the stove by a minimum of 16 inches. When designing the hearth, be sure the wood stove can be positioned to include the minimum clearance required by the fire code and manufacturer's recommendations. This is typically 8 to 12 inches for wood stoves without a built-in heat shield.

Select a fireproof covering for the wall surface behind the stove. Again, tile and stone or brick veneers work well. The wall covering can match the hearth or accent it, as long as it meets the combustion rating specified by the fire code and the wood stove manufacturer. The general requirement is that the wall covering extend a minimum of 12 inches beyond the side and top surfaces of the wood stove firebox, but the dimensions are usually aligned with the hearth size for design consistency.

Choose a chimney assembly appropriate for your ceiling and roof construction. Noting the room's ceiling construction, attic space and roof type will provide the information needed by the wood stove supplier to design a chimney, with flashing and components, that safely meets the needs and placement of the wood stove. No vertical wall protection is needed for the chimney assembly except where it penetrates the ceiling and roof.