Log Burner Installation in Swindon: What to Expect

Thinking about a log burner for your home? Getting the stove right matters, but so does getting it installed properly. A wood burner that is fitted well heats your room efficiently, burns cleanly and meets Building Regulations. One that isn’t can smoke, spill fumes and leave you with problems when you come to sell your home.

This guide walks you through what happens when you have a log burner installed in Swindon, from the first visit to lighting your first fire. It covers the survey, chimneys and flues, the paperwork you should receive and how long the work usually takes.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Log Burner

Before anything is fitted, you need a stove that suits your room, your chimney and the way you live. The key questions are:

• Heat output. A stove that is too powerful for the room will be uncomfortable and tempts you to run it slowly, which is when stoves smoke and tar up. Your installer will work out the right kilowatt output for the space.
• Fuel type. A wood burning stove is designed purely for logs, while a multi fuel stove can also burn approved smokeless fuel. Our guide to the difference between wood burning and multi fuel stoves explains which suits you.
• Style. From cast iron classic stoves to sleek contemporary stoves, the look should suit your room as well as your heating needs.
• Emissions. Every new stove sold in Great Britain must now meet Ecodesign standards. We explain what that means in our guide to Ecodesign stoves.

The easiest way to compare stoves is to see them working. Our showroom at Kembrey Park in Swindon has a wide range of stoves on display, and our team can talk you through the options.

Step 2: The Home Survey

Every home is different, so a proper log burner installation starts with a survey. During the visit, your installer will look at:

• Whether you have a chimney, and its condition, size and height
• Whether the chimney needs sweeping, testing or lining
• The fireplace opening or wall where the stove will sit
• The hearth, and the distances to walls, beams and other combustible materials
• Whether the room needs a permanent air vent for the stove you have chosen
• The route for a twin-wall flue if your home has no chimney

The survey means you get an accurate quote, with no surprises on the day of the installation.

Step 3: Chimney Lining or a New Flue

The flue is just as important as the stove. It takes smoke and gases safely out of your home, and it creates the draw that keeps your fire burning well.

If You Have a Chimney

Many older chimneys in Swindon homes were built for open fires. Over time the brickwork and mortar can crack, which lets smoke and fumes escape. The chimney may also simply be too large for a modern stove to heat, which leads to a poor draw and tar build-up.

The usual solution is a flexible stainless steel flue liner. It runs from the stove up to the chimney pot and gives a smooth, sealed and correctly sized flue.

If You Don’t Have a Chimney

No chimney doesn’t mean no log burner. A twin-wall insulated flue system can run up through the house or up the outside wall. Our page on internal and external flue systems explains the options.

Step 4: Installation Day

Most straightforward log burner installations take one to two days. More complex jobs, such as building a new fireplace opening or fitting a flue with no chimney, can take longer. A typical installation includes:

1. Protecting your floors and furniture
2. Preparing the fireplace opening and hearth
3. Fitting the flue liner or twin-wall flue, with a register plate where needed
4. Positioning and connecting the stove
5. Fitting a carbon monoxide alarm in the room
6. Testing the flue and lighting the stove to check everything works
7. Showing you how to light, control and look after your stove

Step 5: Paperwork and Building Regulations

Installing a wood burner is notifiable building work under Part J of the Building Regulations. This means it must either be carried out by an installer registered with a competent person scheme, such as HETAS, or be inspected by your local building control team.

When a registered installer fits your stove, you should receive a certificate confirming the work complies with Building Regulations, and your local authority is notified. Keep this certificate safe. Your home insurer may ask for it, and your solicitor will need it when you sell your home. You can find out more about the scheme on the HETAS website.

Since October 2022, the regulations also require a carbon monoxide alarm in the room whenever a new or replacement solid fuel appliance is installed.

Step 6: Using and Looking After Your Stove

A well-installed log burner will give you years of reliable heat if you look after it. A few simple habits make a big difference:

• Burn dry wood. Logs should have a moisture content of 20 per cent or less. A moisture meter takes the guesswork out of it. Our guide to which fuels are legal to burn covers this in detail.
• Get your chimney swept. Have it swept at least once a year, and more often if you burn a lot of wood.
• Service the stove. An annual check of the door seals, rope and baffle keeps your stove running efficiently.
• Test your CO alarm. Press the test button regularly and replace the alarm when it reaches the end of its life.
• Use a stove thermometer. It shows you when the stove is burning in its most efficient temperature range.

Do I Live in a Smoke Control Area?

Some urban areas are smoke control areas. In these areas you can only burn wood on a stove that is approved for use there, or you must burn authorised smokeless fuel. If you are unsure, check with Swindon Borough Council before you choose your stove, and let us know when you visit so we can recommend a suitable model. Our article on whether wood burning stoves are being banned explains the current rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to install a log burner?

Most installations take one to two days. Jobs that need a new fireplace opening or a flue system where there is no chimney can take longer. You’ll know the timescale after your survey.

Do I need a chimney to have a log burner?

No. A twin-wall flue system allows a log burner to be installed in homes without a chimney, running either internally or up an outside wall.

Does my chimney need lining?

Not always, but many older chimneys do. Your installer will check its condition and size during the survey and advise whether a flue liner is needed for safe, efficient operation.

Can I install a wood burner myself?

Installing a stove is notifiable building work. If you don’t use a registered installer, the work must be inspected and approved by building control, and mistakes can be dangerous. For safety and peace of mind, we always recommend a professional installation.

Log Burner Installation in Swindon and Wiltshire

At Fireplace Solutions, we have over 22 years’ experience supplying and installing wood burning and multi fuel stoves across Swindon and Wiltshire. We take care of everything, from the survey and flue to the finished fireplace.

Visit our showroom at Unit 11 Ash, Kembrey Park, Swindon, call us on 01793 640 485 or get in touch online to arrange your survey.