If you have moved into a new property, you may be wondering if you can have a stove or fire in a new build property. We have answered this for you for each fuel type.
Table of Contents:
Yes. It is possible to install a wood burner in a new build. It is likely that your new build home does not have a chimney, but this does not mean you cannot have a wood burning stove as there may be options available to you.
If you have a new build or home without a chimney, it is likely that you can have a pre-fabricated flue system installed (such as Stovax Professional XQ). This works in the same way a normal chimney would, and can run either internally or externally to your property. If you still enjoy the look of a conventional chimney for your log burner fireplace, you can choose for your flue pipe to be hidden behind a faux chimney breast.
It is important to remember that in airtight properties such as new builds, there must be an air vent permanently open to the outside. The size of the air vent opening is dependent on the heat (kW) output of the appliance in the room.
Some wood burning appliances have the option of an Outside Air Kit that ducts the air from outside the house directly to the appliance, without the need for an open vent into the room. Your Stovax retailer will be able to advise in detail and complete a site survey to determine the best options for your home.
Yes. It is possible to install a gas fireplace in a new build. There are many options available here.
Whilst a conventional flue gas fireplace requires a chimney, you can have a pre-fabricated flue system installed – just like you would for a solid fuel stove or fire. The same air ventilation rules apply, but your local expert retailer will be able to advise you on what is best for your home, and your Gas Safe installer should ensure this is carried out correctly.
Balanced flue gas fires do not require a chimney, making them a good option for a new build property. They work in conjunction with glass-fronted gas stoves or fires, and are completely sealed from the room into which it is installed. This means there are no draughts, and heating efficiency is increased, with a twin-wall pipe venting directly to an outside wall. This also means no additional ventilation is required. You can read more about how a balanced flue gas fire works here.
You can make the most of the cavity wall in your new build by having a cavity wall gas fire installed. A cavity wall gas fire features all the benefits of a full-depth gas fire but with the added ability to be installed in the internal leaf of a cavity wall. Most of these fires come complete with a dedicated rear exit balanced flue termination kit, which uses a twin-wall pipe to vent directly through the outside wall. Glass-fronted, the fire is completely sealed from the room and the air needed for combustion is drawn from the exterior of the property.
Partial cavity wall gas fires work in much the same way as a cavity wall fire. Here, the fire is recessed almost entirely within the internal leaf of the wall, with a small protrusion left to be housed. This reduces the footprint of the fire in the room dramatically, requiring little space. One example from Gazco is the award-winning Riva2 500HL Slimline Gas Fire.
Yes. Perhaps the easiest installation of all, an electric log burner does not require anything more than a plug point making it a great option for a new build. Depending on how involved you want your installation to be, you could opt for simple options such as choosing an electric fire that simply hangs on the wall, like an outset eReflex model with Trento Suite, or go further and install a faux chimney breast for a freestanding electric stove to sit within for a realistic result.
One of the biggest fireplace trends that works exceptionally well within a new build home is the media wall. Typically, a media wall comprises an electric fireplace with a television above it. Go a step further, and you can also install peripheral media devices such as speakers or games consoles. The key with a media wall is that the fireplace, TV and any extras are all housed neatly into one integrated space, hiding all cables and providing the hub of the home. Find out more about how to install a media wall with log burner on our useful advice article all about everything you need to get your electric fireplace project up and running. Some of the best fireplaces for a media wall include our Onyx Avanti electric fire, the Gazco eStudio electric fireplace range, or our Gazco eReflex electric fire range.
An electric fire is best placed in the middle of the room, away from windows or doors. This allows the maximum efficiency from the heater to circulate the warm air around the environment.
Electric fireplaces often come with alternative fuel effects as well, making for an ultra-contemporary installation.
We always recommend that you buy from a local approved expert retailer. They can not only assist in finding the best fireplace option for your new build home, but by buying through them you are also available access a wide range of aftersales care, plus the ability to extend your standard warranty. Find your retailer here.
Posted by Annabelle Carvell on September 1, 2023
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We live a new build and would love a gas fire installed but we have no chimney
I read your options but what are the average price quotes
Hi Fran, Thanks for your message. We recommend that you visit your local Stovax & Gazco retailer for further advice on prices and on your options, in the meantime you can read more about it here. You can locate your nearest retailer by visiting the following link: https://www.stovax.com/information/find-a-retailer/. Best Wishes, Alex
I would love to install a wood burner stove in my apartment (top floor, penthouse). There is no fireplace or chimney.
Have you ever installed stoves in the apartments?
Good Morning Victoria, thank you for taking the time to send us a message. There is the option of using a pre-fabricated flue for those who don’t have a chimney or a fireplace. If you’d like further information on this, you can head to https://www.stovax.com/products/fireplace-stove-hearth-accessories/flue-pipe-chimney-systems/professional-xq/
Alternatively, if you find that the above is not the option for you, we do have other options in the form of electric and gas, if you head to our short blog it goes over the other types of otions you have avaible to you – https://www.stovax.com/can-i-have-a-stove-if-i-dont-have-a-chimney/
Kind Regards,
Darcy
If i was to install a stove and it was sitting in a recess, how far away do the walls have to be at the sides and the top, to stop heat transfer or a fire?
If fitting the stove into a recess it must be 150 mm from the sides and 225 mm from the top of the recess.
Hi I have a newish house and would like a wood burner I have no chimney just flat wall the house was built 2003 can this be done at all
Hi Jay, thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Yes absolutely – we offer a pre-fabricated flue for those who don’t have a chimney or a fireplace. If you’d like further information on this, you can head to https://www.stovax.com/products/fireplace-stove-hearth-accessories/flue-pipe-chimney-systems/professional-xq/
If you prefer the look of a conventional chimney, you could have a faux chimney breast built to house a stove or fire and also hide the flue pipe behind.
If a faux chimney breast sounds like too much work, our wall mounted electric fires like the Gazco eStudio Arosa and Cerreto 140 electric fire suites are designed to provide a simple to install flat-wall-fix.
For more information and to see the options available, we recommend you visit your local Stovax & Gazco retailer. You can find your nearest one here.
Best wishes, Chris
Can I instal an ordinary stove not a wood burning in my new flat roof extension to the rear of my dwelling
I do not have a chimney. Will I be allowed to instal one.
Hi Kay, thanks for your comment. There’s lot of options available but your local Stovax & Gazco retailer will be able to advise in detail and complete a site survey to determine the best options for your home. You can find your nearest retailer here: https://www.stovax.com/information/find-a-retailer/
Best wishes, Chris
Can I install a wood burning stove in my timber framed house circa 2006. I do not have a chimney so would require a twin walled flue on exterior. Not looking for specific figures but a rough guide to the total costs to have this supplied and fitted to proper safety standards. Would think 5-7 KWh would be ample. Can you tell me if there are any downsides to this please.
Hi Peter, thanks for your comment. You’d need to speak to your local Stovax retailer for an idea of pricing, and they can advise on the best stove or fire models and flue systems that will be suitable for your installation.
Best wishes, Chris
I live in a new build house. Built in 2021 is There any legal restrictions stopping me from installing a wood burner?
Hi Dianna, thanks for your comment. While you don’t require planning permission, safety standards when installing a stove or fire are paramount, and a competent and trained installer will need to ensure that all building regulations are met without safety risks. It is also important to note that any product warranties applicable will be dependent on the appliance complying with Building Regulations, and with a certificate of installation from a trained installer. Lastly, if your home is located in a smoke control zone, you can only burn wood if the stove is DEFRA exempt.
For more information we’d recommend speaking to your local Stovax retailer.
Best wishes, Chris
I am looking to have a solid fuel stove fitted and new house I don’t know if it’s possible my house doesn’t have a chimney if anyone can do this job can be please contact me
Hi Edward, thanks for your message. You can get advice and guidance on the best stove models suitable for your home via your local Stovax or Gazco retailer. They’ll be able to advise if it’s possible to have a pre-fabricated chimney system installed and may also offer installation as part of the service: https://www.stovax.com/information/find-a-retailer/
Best wishes, Chris
Our penthouse is leasehold so what are the issues associated with installing a real fire where a vent must be fitted to the freehold building?
Hi Bonny, thanks for your comment. You would need to seek permission from the building owner. It’d also be worth checking with your retailer that the stove model you’re interested in installing would definately require a vent. Depending on the property, if it’s below 5kW you may not require one.
Best wishes, Chris