DIY Stove Pipes Through the Wall

Establish a safe distance between your stove and the wall. A radiant heat stove should be at least 36 inches from a combustible wall, while a double-wall circulator stove can be as close as 12 inches, unless a heat shield is installed. Brick walls and floors are heat-resistant and do not require this clearance.

Install a heat shield of 28-gauge sheet metal if you prefer to install the stove closer to the wall. With a heat shield, you can place a radiant heat stove at a distance of 12 inches and a circulator stove as close as 6 inches. The metal shield should be installed 1 inch off the wall and 1 inch off the floor.

Connect the stove pipe to the stove, following manufacturer instructions and using metal screws to ensure a tight fit. Always place the crimped sections so they are facing the stove, which allows the creosote to flow backward instead of building up in the piping. Try to make the run to the flue as short as possible and keep angles to a minimum, using no more than two 90 degree bends. Make sure the horizontal piping is at least 18 inches from the ceiling, or 12 inches if you have a heat shield installed.

Pass the stove pipe through a thimble in the wall and connect to the outside chimney flue. If there is not an existing chimney, you should construct one along the side of your house and make sure it exceeds the top of the immediate roof height by 3 feet. It should also be at least 2 feet higher than any part of the roof within 10 feet.