As winter approaches, many homeowners begin to prepare their homes for the colder temperatures. This includes the addition of a safe wood burning stove installation and heat shield.
A stove may be dictated by manufacturers guidelines, distance to combustibles or building regulations to make it safe and function correctly.
Heat shields can be a handy addition to any wood burning stove installation to reduce the thermal energy from object to object. Furthermore, allowing a wood burner to be installed into a more compact position.
In this article, we will discuss what heat shields are, how they work, and why they are essential for the safe and efficient operation of your wood burner.
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Table of contents
- What are Heat Shields?
- What if I don’t have a heat shield?
- How do Heat Shields Work?
- Why are Heat Shields Important?
- The best wood burning stove heat shields
- Types of Heat Shields
- Heat Shield Installation
- Conclusion
What are Heat Shields?
Heat shields are not essential but can be used as a component of a wood burner installation. Whether this be when the stove is installed or at a later date.
Specifically designed to deflect the high temperatures that a log burner produces and stop heat being transferred where it is not wanted.
A heat shield can be made from metal, vitrous enamel, vermiculite or even be a chamber lining covered board. They’re placed around a wood burner, providing a barrier between the heat source and the wall.
They are typically made of stainless steel or another high-temperature-resistant material, and they come in various sizes and shapes to fit your specific wood burner and home layout.
What if I don’t have a heat shield?
If you don’t have a heat shield in place around a log burner and it gets too hot, there can be several potential consequences.
Firstly, without one, the heat generated by the log burner can transfer directly to the surrounding walls, ceiling and other nearby combustible materials. Over time, this can cause them to dry out, crack, and eventually catch fire.
- Can cause dry out, cracking
- Damage log burner itself
- Uncontrollable temperatures
Secondly, excess heat can cause damage to the log burner itself, including warping, cracking or melting of components, which can compromise its safety and efficiency.
Thirdly, without a heat shield, the temperature generated by the log burner can also spread to other parts of the room, making the temperature uncomfortable and potentially causing health problems for those present.
In summary, it’s essential to have a heat shield in place around a log burner to prevent heat damage to surrounding structures, protect the log burner itself, and ensure the safety and comfort of those using the space.
How do Heat Shields Work?
The primary function of a heat shield is to reduce the amount of heat that is transferred from the wood burner to the surrounding walls.
By creating a barrier between the heat source and the wall, a heat shield reduces the risk of fire and protects the wall from damage.
Heat shields work by creating a barrier, and deflecting heat back into a room
In addition, heat shields can also improve the efficiency of your wood burner by reflecting heat back into the room, which means you can heat your home with less wood.
Why are Heat Shields Important?
Heat shields are an essential safety feature for any wood burner installation. They provide an extra layer of protection between the heat source and your home, reducing the risk of fire and protecting your walls from damage.
In addition, it can also improve the efficiency of your wood burner, which can save you money on fuel costs.
It is essential to note that not all wood burners come with heat shields as standard. If you have an older wood burner or one that did not come one, it is highly recommended that you have one installed.
Not only will it improve the safety and efficiency of your wood burner, but it may also be a legal requirement in your area.
The best wood burning stove heat shields
We’ve looked at how and why a heat shield is ideal for your wood burner, let’s take a look at the available options for your stove.
At Bonfire, we stock a large range of heat shields in a variety of materials from different brands. This includes Charnwood, Vlaze, FDC and Stovax.
We supply and install only high quality heat shields. The majority can be universally fitted unless specifically designed to fit onto the rear of a certain stove.
Shop all heat shields
Types of Heat Shields
There are two main types of heat shields: single-wall and double-wall. Single-wall heat shields are the most common and are usually made of stainless steel or other high-temperature-resistant materials.
They are designed to be installed directly onto the wall behind the wood burner, providing a barrier between the heat source and the wall.
Double-wall heat shields are similar to single-wall heat shields but have an extra layer of insulation between the two panels.
This additional insulation provides even more protection against heat transfer and can improve the efficiency of your wood burner even further.
Steel Heat Shields
Steel heat shields are bolted onto the rear of a wood burning stove, reducing the heat transfer at the very core of the heat source.
A simple clip on panel with an air gap that can be purchased as an extra alongside a stove.
Great for restricting the air close to the stove so that the surrounding area can be designed without restrictions.
Vermiculite Lining Boards
Vermiculite boards can be used as a heat shield, as they have good thermal insulation properties. A naturally occurring mineral that is expanded by heating to form a lightweight and fire-resistant material.
When used as a heat shield, vermiculite boards can be placed behind wood-burning stoves, for example, to protect walls and other combustible materials from heat damage.
They can also be used in the construction of fireplaces and chimneys to help prevent heat transfer to surrounding structures.
It’s important to note that while vermiculite boards can withstand high temperatures, they are not fireproof and should always be used in conjunction with appropriate safety measures such as fire-resistant barriers and regular cleaning and maintenance.
Vermiculite boards can be cut down and made to measure to suit a chamber opening. They’re available in plain, reeded and block styles.
Shop Vermiculite boards
Decorative Chamber Linings
Chamber linings, such as brick, are commonly used in the construction of fireplaces and chimneys. Bricks have excellent heat-resistant properties, making them ideal for use in areas where high temperatures are expected.
When used as a chamber lining, bricks can help to absorb and distribute heat evenly, reducing the risk of heat damage to surrounding structures.
They also provide a durable and long-lasting solution for protecting the interior of a fireplace or chimney from the effects of heat and fire.
It’s important to ensure that the bricks used for chamber linings are of a suitable type and quality for the application, and that they are installed correctly to provide maximum protection.
It’s also important to follow appropriate safety measures such as regular cleaning and maintenance, and to have the fireplace or chimney inspected and serviced by a qualified professional on a regular basis to ensure it remains in good working order.
Decorative chamber linings are available in brick, slate in different patterns and styles to suit your log burner.
Shop chamber linings
Viterous Enamel Heat Shields
Vitreous enamel heat shields are a popular choice for wood burners and other heating appliances. They are made from a layer of glass fused to metal, which provides excellent heat resistance and durability.
This enamel coating can withstand high temperatures and is resistant to corrosion, making it an ideal material for heat shields.
Additionally, the smooth surface of vitreous enamel heat shields makes them easy to clean and maintain, which is important for keeping your heating appliance in top condition.
Vlaze, who manufacturer viterous enamel heat shields, offer lots of different patterns and colours in three different sizes for your fireplace. Bespoke sizes can be made to order also.
Three sizes:
- 800mm x 1200mm
- 800mm x 1800mm
- 1100mm x 1800mm
Overall, vitreous enamel heat shields offer a reliable and attractive option for protecting your walls and floors from heat damage.
Heat Shield Installation
Installing a heat shield is a relatively straightforward process, but it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
The heat shield must be installed at the correct distance from the wood burner to ensure maximum efficiency and safety.
Require heat shield installation help? Get Bonfire to install your wood burning stove safely, complying to all distance to combustibles, manufacturers guidelines and building control regulations.
It is also essential to ensure that the heat shield is securely attached to the wall and that there are no gaps between the shield and the wall.
When a heat shield is being installed onto the stove, please follow manufacturers guidelines to ensure that it is fitted correctly.
Conclusion
In summary, heat shields are an essential safety feature for any wood burner installation.
They provide an extra layer of protection between the heat source and your home, reducing the risk of fire and protecting your walls from damage.
Heat shields are sometimes required to adhere to distance to combustibles, manufacturers guidelines and building control regulations to be signed off as a safe HETAS installation.
In addition, heat shields can also improve the efficiency of your wood burner, which can save you money on fuel costs.
If you have a wood burner without a heat shield, it is highly recommended that you have one installed as soon as possible.
