What should I pay attention to when buying a wood-burning fire or stove?

When purchasing a wood-burning fore or stove, there are various points for attention, depending on your personal situation.

The presence of a chimney or a flue

Do you already have a chimney or a flue? Then consult with an authorised dealer to verify whether your chimney or flue meets the requirements. Intensive use can cause wear and tear, and ultimately cause problems. The purchase of a new fire or wood-burning stove is a good time to have your existing chimney or flue checked, and if necessary renovate it. Remember that a flue must always reach above the ridge of the roof.

Creating a new chimney or a flue

Do you currently have no flue or chimney? Then it must be built before installation can take place. Take a good look at which location in your home is most suitable for this and which regulations your municipality has. It is also useful to inform your neighbours. Obviously, the dealer can tell you more about the possibilities and help you consider the most convenient way to create a flue for your home.

The capacity of your new wood-burning fire

The capacity of your new wood-burning fire stove is one of the most important considerations. Always choose a fire that matches the room that you want to heat. A capacity that is too low will barely heat the room. Capacity that is too high causes the room to become too hot, so you cannot let the fire burn fully. This, however, results in poor combustion, blackened windows and higher emissions. It is important to clearly plan in advance what capacity you need.

The importance of output

Think in advance about what exactly you expect from your new fire or stove. Would you like to have a pleasant evening now and then, and is the fire only for additional heating? Or do you expect the fire or stove to play a structural and vital role in heating your home? In the first case, output may not be the most important consideration, and you will probably pay more attention to style and ease of use. But if you plan to make intensive use of your fire or stove, output is likely to play an important role in your choice.

Nevertheless, in both cases it is advisable to opt for a fire or stove with high efficiency and low emissions. This will allow you to enjoy the heat in comfort and use less firewood. Moreover, you will have a minimum impact on the environment.

Models and styles

Contemporary wood-burning fires and stoves are available in a range of styles and designs. There is always a fire or stove with the right capacity to match your interior. For fires you have the choice between inserts and built-in fires. A built-in fire can be a good choice in new homes and for major renovations.

A fire insert can in many cases replace an existing fireplace, which is less drastic. For stoves you have the choice between a freestanding wood-burning stove, which can radiate its heat in the surrounding space, and a suspended wood-burning stove, which offers plenty of visual space in a smaller living room. You can also create a wood store underneath the stove. When visiting a showroom, you can view several setups and decide in consultation with the dealer which fire or stove is suitable for your living and heating needs.