Installing a woodburner with no chimney

Are you thinking about installing a woodburner with no chimney? The good news is that you can enjoy all the benefits of a wood-burning stove, even if your home doesn’t have a chimney.

Installing a woodburner without a chimney might sound complicated, but it’s a very common and achievable project. Many of our customers use twin wall flue systems in their homes. With many new-build properties having been built without fireplaces and chimneys in the last few decades, this is becoming an increasingly common requirement.

Modern twin wall flue systems make it possible to install a stove safely in almost any home. So, whether you live in a new build, an extension, conversion or any other property with no existing fireplace, you can still install a logburner.

Let’s look at all of the key considerations when installing a woodburner without a chimney.

Can you fit a wood-burning stove if you don't have a chimney?

The short answer is yes. Even if your property doesn't currently have a chimney or traditional fire opening – a situation that is increasingly common in newer homes - that needn't prevent you from fitting a wood-burning stove.

Is it harder to install a woodburner with no chimney?

Yes, unfortunately, not having an existing fireplace and chimney does make installing a woodburner slightly trickier. If your home already had a chimney, you could simply run flexible flue liner down the chimney and connect it to your new stove system for an efficient installation.

How do you install a woodburner in a home with no chimney?

If your home doesn’t have a chimney, you will need to use twin wall flue when installing a woodburner. The twin wall flue – also known as an insulated steel flue – will effectively become your chimney.

What is a twin wall flue?

A twin wall flue is made of two stainless steel fluepipes with at least an inch of insulation between them. While a normal woodburner flue pipe is made of a single construction, twin wall flues have two layers of metal and that thick layer of insulation between them. Unlike the single wall flue you typically see in woodburner installations, your flue pipe may need to pass through a combination of walls, ceilings and flooring.

There are two main reasons for that a twin wall flue has a considerable layer of insulation. The first is to ensure the outer layer of the flue remains cool. If it is running the full height of your house – inside or outside – you don't want anyone burning themselves on the pipe. Keeping the external temperature of the flue pipe low makes it safe when passing through flammable materials or places where someone or something could potentially touch the flue.

The second reason is to maintain the temperature within the inner flue. When flue gases cool they condense and can leave behind deposits of tar and creosote. The thick layer of insulation ensures that the flue gases stay at a high temperature and don't condense until they are outside the pipe. This reduces the risk of fire inside the flue and stops the corrosive effects of tar and creosote.

What is the best way of installing a twin wall flue if you don’t have a chimney?

Most professional stove installers favour an out-and-up approach to twin wall flue installation, if circumstances allow. This involves positioning your woodburner close to an external wall, punching through the wall and running the twin wall flue up the side of the external wall.

The twin wall flue will then run up the side of your property and work in the same way as a chimney would. For most homes, running the flue up the side of the property allows for a strong draw up the flue and an efficient burn from your stove.

Of course, this isn’t the only way to install a woodburner if you have no chimney. A competent stove installer will look at your property and circumstances, and decide on the right solution for your property, budget and plans.

Key considerations when installing a woodburner without a chimney

When you don’t have a chimney but you want to install a woodburner in your home, the main things to have in mind are:

Your legal obligations

Whatever solution you choose, you must make sure your stove system complies with Building Regulations for wood-burning stove installations. A competent stove installer or your local building control office can guide you through this process.

Achieving a powerful draw

You need to make sure that your twin wall flue runs high enough above your stove to create a draw that enables the appliance to work efficiently and effectively. If this is not achieved, your stove might not burn very well or smoke could come into your room through the air vents.

Where to place the twin wall flue

Do you want to take the twin wall flue outside at the earliest opportunity? Or do you want to run it straight up through the inside of your property? The out-and-up approach is usually cheaper, but an installation with no bend can help to improve performance. The best option will depend on:

• Your property

• Your budget

• What’s above the stove

• What’s outside the property

• What your installer suggests

Finding out if you need planning permission

You don’t necessarily need planning permission to install a twin wall flue. But in some cases, applying for planning permission will be necessary. This is usually when adding a twin wall flue would dramatically alter the external appearance of your property. Your local building control office will advise whether a planning application is needed in your circumstances.

Is it more expensive to install a woodburner if you don’t have a chimney?

Unfortunately, yes, it will usually be more expensive to install a woodburner if you don’t have a chimney. This is because the installation will take longer and you will need to buy a twin wall flue, which is more expensive than buying flexible flue liner. For that reason, both labour and parts will usually cost more than with a standard woodburner installation.

Typical approximate prices for twin wall flue installations in the UK are:

• Stove: £500–£2,000+

• Twin wall flue system: £1,000–£2,500+

• Installation: £1,000–£2,000+

So, in total, installing a wood-burning stove in a home with no chimney is likely to cost around £2,500 to £6,500. The price will vary depending on the stove you choose and the complexity of the twin wall flue system.

Step-by-step guide to installing a woodburner with no chimney

Here are all the steps you need to follow to install a woodburner in your home if you don’t currently have a chimney.

1. Planning your stove installation

Ideally with input from a competent wood-burning stove installer, consider all of the options and decide on the best way to achieve the woodburner installation you want for your home.

2. Deciding your stove location

With an outline plan for the installation, you can decide on the exact positioning of your new wood-burning stove. This will be influenced by any guidelines or restrictions relating to the flue system, but also by how the stove will work with the interior of your home.

3. Installing a hearth

Since you’re installing a woodburner without an existing fireplace, the next step is to install a hearth for your new stove to sit upon. When building a hearth for a wood-burning stove, you need to comply with the relevant building regulations. This covers aspects including:

• The thickness of the hearth

• The size of the hearth

• The gaps between the stove and the front, rear and side edges of the hearth

These requirements vary depending on the type of stove you choose.

4. Punching through walls, ceilings or the roof

You’re now ready to cut through any sections of wall, ceiling or roof through which your twin wall system will pass. Obviously, you will want to have established a clear plan for a safe, legal and efficient route for the twin wall flue before making any holes.

5. Installing the twin wall flue system

You can now install the twin wall flue system itself. This will include installing the lengths of twin wall flue, fixing any supports and brackets and adding the terminal to the top of the system.

6. Connecting to your stove

The twin wall flue is now ready to be connected to your wood-burning stove. This is often achieved with a length of single wall flue, which connects to the twin wall flue system. The joints should be sealed.

7. Final testing and certification

Once everything is safely installed, you can test that everything is working correctly. Your local building control office will be able to certify the installation. If you’ve used an installer from a competent person scheme, they can self-certify the installation.

You will then be up and running and ready to enjoy your new wood-burning stove.

Common mistakes with twin wall flue installations

Some of the most common mistakes made when installing a woodburner in a home with no chimney include:

Installing a flue that’s too short 

If there’s not enough height in your flue system, this results in a poor draw that will impact the performance and efficiency of your stove.

Too many bends in the flue system

Complicated twin wall flue systems that use too many bends can also cause a poor draw. 

Poor positioning near windows or neighbours

Placing the flue system too close to windows or neighbouring properties may result in smoke and flue gases entering a property.

Insufficient clearance from combustibles

Your installation must comply with all building regulations and the guidance of the flue manufacturer to ensure it is a safe distance from any combustible materials.

Ready to install a woodburner with no chimney?

If you’re ready to make a start on your wood-burning stove installation, you’ll find a range of twin wall flue products and accessories in our store. You’ll also find a wide range of multi-fuel stoves, wood-burning stoves and logburners to take pride of place at the foot of your new twin wall flue system.

Still got questions or unsure about a twin wall flue installation? Our team are on hand to help and talk you through everything you need to know. Call us on 0121 271 0221 to discuss your stove installation.