Welcome to our article that covers how to install a wood burner in a conservatory. We’ll talk you through the pros and cons and other heating options that you may not have considered yet.
A conservatory is a versatile space that is commonly used to affordably extend a house and add valuable living space to help accommodate growing families. They offer an abundance of natural light and provide you with a great view of your garden. Sunrooms & conservatories are sought-after spots ideal for relaxation, dining or even working so it is no wonder so many people are looking to heat them through the winter. But is fitting a stove in your conservatory a feasible option for you?
Table of Contents
What are the Benefits of Having a Log Burner in a Conservatory?
Best Wood Burners for a Conservatory
Considerations Before Installing a Stove in a Conservatory
Do I Need Planning Permission for a Wood Burner in a Conservatory?
How Does a Flue Fit Through a Conservatory Roof?
How Much Does it Cost to Have a Conservatory Stove?
Which Types of Stoves are Best in Conservatories?
What are the Benefits of a Log Burner in a Conservatory?
Anyone who owns a conservatory or has stepped into one for that matter knows that the glass construction means it is a cold place during the winter months. If you want to enjoy the use of the room all year round then fitting a log burner in your conservatory could be a great option.
Having a log burner installed and fitted into a conservatory has lots of benefits, for a start it's an extremely efficient way of heating the space as you only need to fire up the stove when you’re using the room. A wood-burning stove will also produce a really pleasant and cosy atmosphere, flickering flames and smouldering logs will mean the whole family can enjoy your conservatory in winter. We think that a wood-burning stove in your conservatory could be a cost-effective way to heat it and we’ll put forward some wood burner suggestions in our next point.
Best Wood Burners for a Conservatory
We have vast experience when it comes to helping consumers choose a wood burner for their sunroom, conservatory or orangery. Here you’ll find the most popular and top-rated log fires that are all suitable for a conservatory setting.
Our selection includes mainly contemporary log burners with heat outputs sitting around the 5kW mark which is the most popular heat output chosen for a conservatory. The stoves we’re putting forward are also space saving and tall or cylindrical so they won’t take up too much space in the room.
Considerations Before Installing a Stove in a Conservatory
Before deciding to install a wood-burning stove in your conservatory, there are several really important factors to consider. We’ve listed the main points below and give advice and pointers where we can.
- You Will Need a Twin Wall Flue - When installing a log burner in a conservatory the exhaust gases will need to exit the room by means of a twin wall flue system. You’ll need to research this thoroughly as the flue comes at a considerable cost. If you’d like us to quote you for your flue system feel free to visit our flue design page.
- Where to Position the Stove - You’ll need to think long and hard about where in the conservatory the stove will sit. Our best advice here is to try to find a place for it against the main wall of the house as the flue can be supported against this wall. The stove pipe should be a minimum of 425mm away from any combustible material that could catch fire.
- Insulation and Ventilation - Conservatories tend to have a higher heat loss compared to the rest of the house so ensure the stove is powerful enough to heat the room. If your stove is over 5kW, you need 550mm2 of permanent ventilation for every additional kilowatt
- Professional Installation - To ensure the safe and efficient operation of a wood-burning stove, it is highly recommended to hire a professional installer (Hetas) who is experienced in working with conservatories. They will have the expertise to assess the suitability of the space, advise on necessary modifications, and carry out the installation in compliance with the relevant regulations.
- Have a Suitable Hearth - Think about the available space and potential placement options. Your stove will likely need a hearth that should be a minimum of 12mm thick and large enough to extend 300mm to the front of the stove and 150mm to either side. Glass and stone hearths are popular choices for this situation.
Do I Need Planning Permission for a Wood Burner in a Conservatory?
Thankfully there isn’t a need to obtain prior planning permission when installing a wood burning stove in a domestic setting or home. It is important however to ensure that when fitting a log burner it meets all the regulations of Document J which will ensure it is safely installed. You could opt to have your stove fitted by a HETAS installer who can self-certify and pass your installation once it is complete. If you install your stove yourself, you will need to contact your local council who will come out to approve the work for you. Be sure to have this in place before you start any work.
A couple of other things to remember are if you live in a smoke control zone, you will need to buy a DEFRA approved stove. You should also check that you have the right heat output for the size of your conservatory and try to buy a stove that is energy efficient like an Ecodesign stove.
How Does a Flue Fit Through a Conservatory Roof?
When installing a wood stove in a conservatory you’ll need to ensure it is fitted with a twin wall flue system. It is perfectly normal and safe for a double-insulated flue pipe to pass through a conservatory roof; the flue has insulating properties designed for this purpose. The insulating layer of a twin wall flue stops the outside of the pipe from becoming too hot so can pass within 60mm of combustible material. If you use any other type of pipe, you could be creating a serious hazard, so it is really important that you use the correct flue.
If the roof of your sunroom is made from corrugated plastic or metal then you will need to use a suitable roof flashing and a silicone sealant to ensure it is kept watertight. If your conservatory roof is made from glass then we recommend checking with your conservatory manufacturer to see if they will provide you with a non-glass panel so you can replace the section. Cutting a templated hole through the glass roof of a conservatory can be tricky but competent installers or the company who built it should be able to carry out this work.
How Much Does it Cost to Have a Conservatory Stove?
The cost of installing a wood burner in a conservatory can vary dramatically, we’ve put together some of the typical costs involved but you will want to get a couple of quotes for the installation.
- Cost of the Stove - You’ll usually pay between £800 - £2000 for a good quality contemporary wood burner but you might want to consider a gas or electric option too.
- Cost of the Flue System - The flue system will usually cost between £600 - £1200 this should include any brackets, elbows and connecting lengths.
- Labour & Fitting Costs - Fitting a stove in a conservatory will cost something in the region of £600 - £800 (this can vary depending on who is fitting the stove and the level of workmanship and warranty they are offering you)
- Glass Floor Plate or Hearth - A hearth will cost between £180- £350 this price will vary as at this point we don’t know the size, shape or material you’re looking to buy.
When thinking about your Flue system, let us do the hard work. We provide a free flue design service. You send us all the measurements and dimensions and we will custom-build all the components and send you a completed shopping basket, it couldn't be easier.
Which Types of Stoves are Best in Conservatories?
When choosing a stove for a conservatory it comes entirely down to personal preference and the style that takes your fancy. There are plenty of different fuel types to consider too that include wood burners, gas stoves and heaters that don’t require a flue such as bio-ethanol fires and electric heater stoves.
Electric stoves & bioethanol fires are perfect for consumers that don’t want the fuss or cost of installing a log burner. These types of heaters will only provide you with 2kW of heat though! A 5kW wood burning stove will adequately heat a large conservatory or orangery, you’ll be in your shorts and t-shirt all year.
In conclusion, if you dream of enjoying your conservatory all through the year, a wood-burning stove is the best option. We stress that it is essential for you to carefully consider the installation requirements before proceeding with a purchase.
