We’ll cover many areas in our discussion on heat shields for wood stoves. We will also be reviewing several types of wall-coverings behind wood-burning stoves that are important for heat protection.
Fireproof Wall Panels for Wood Stove
If you use a wood stove, one thing you’ll need to be concerned about is the potential damage to your property from the heat given off. The origin of such heat is never in doubt.
So, the logical thing to do is protect your home from any potential heat damage.
This is what wood stove wall protection does.
It’s important to say that a fire outbreak is possible when your structure is exposed to excess heat. With a heat shield, the chances are significantly reduced. So, what are heat shields about and where are they installed?
Wall Protection Heat Shields For Wood-Burning Stoves
From the name, you’d be able to figure out what heat shields are about.
These provide protection from the heat coming from your wood stove. A heat shield is either installed by attaching it directly to the woodstove or it’s installed onto nearby walls and ceilings (in some cases).
As long as it’s installed correctly, it doesn’t matter whether such installation is done through direct attachment to the stove or not. However, one thing is necessary; an expert will need to perform such installation.
-
Installing Heat Shield to the Wood Stove
In a bid to provide more clarity about heat shield installation, it’s necessary to consider the two scenarios mentioned above. When heat shields are installed onto wood stoves, it’s done using a non-combustible external jacketing.
External jacketing materials or shields could be made of cement board, metal, ceramic tiles, brick, or stone. These are attached to the sides as well as the rear of the woodstove.
However, there has to be some spacing (about 50mm) between the stove and heat shields for air circulation.
Of course, such spacing will require the use of non-combustible spacers. This helps prevent fires from igniting due to heat. These materials dense materials will normally absorb heat being radiated and gradually release the same when air circulates.
-
Installing Wood Stove Wall Shield
When heat shields aren’t installed directly on wood stoves, they’re installed on nearby walls. This serves the same purpose; to serve as insulation for walls and other nearby combustible items.
When mounting on walls, there also needs to be air space between the heat shields and wall.
The spacing requirement is about 25 mm and should be created using non-combustible mounting hardware. This is very crucial because heat radiating from the wood stove can steadily climb and cause problems when combustible materials are used as mounting hardware.
Similar to what happens with heat shields attached to the woodstove; those mounted on walls steadily dissipate heat as air circulates them.
There are also some commercial brands designed as free-standing wood stove heat shields.
Why Clearance or Spacing is Necessary for Heat Shields
So far, we’ve seen that heat shields need some form of spacing for air circulation.
So, what happens when such spacing isn’t made available? In such circumstances, they cease to become heat shields. This is because heat is no longer shielded from absorption by combustible material.
Rather, the surface (ceramic tile, metal, cement board, etc) absorbs or conducts heat right through the combustible material behind it. This is counterproductive and could result in what you dread the most; heat damage or even fires.
Installing Wall Shield For Wood Stove isn’t a Safety Guarantee
This may sound contradictory to what has been discussed above, but the truth is, heat shields are really not a guarantee against fires when not used correctly.
How so? You’ll need to consider the fact that heats need to circulate freely behind the clearance or spacing.
However, when such spacing is blocked below or above, the purpose of the installation is defeated. Air won’t flow freely, thus making heat dissipation less efficient.
The simple way to solve this problem is by having all such blockages around openings removed.
You Might Want to Check Local Building Codes
Without knowledge about required heat shield clearances from walls or wood stoves, there’s a possibility of improper installation. You’ll need to make inquiries about such from your local fire department.
No information is ever wasted as such knowledge could be useful for future installations.
Wood Stove Heat Shield Ideas
Before installing a heat shield for the wall next to the stove, you’ll need to know the different possible configurations.
These consist of metal-only heat shields, ceramic tile or cement board heat shields, and combined non-combustible heat shields.
Others include brick heat shields as well as a combination of brick heat shields and metal backing. It all depends on what works best for you. Now it’s important to have a professional advise you on how to proceed.
Of course, your preferences will be taken into consideration during installation.
-
Metal-Only Heat Shields
Metal-only heat shields are mostly made from metal sheeting measuring 29 gauge in thickness or more. During installation, a clearance of around 25 mm (1 inch) is recommended.
-
Ceramic or Cement Board Heat Shields
For these types of heat shields, the same clearance (25mm) recommended for metal-only heat shields applies. It’s important to have it installed by a pro to help provide accurate clearance distances for sides, rear, and top.
-
Combined Non-Combustible Heat Shields
There instances where a combination of non-combustible materials is used to create heat shields for wood stoves. For example, ceramic tiles or cement boards may be mounted on sheet metal backing.
This has its advantages as well. Recommended spacing between your wall and heat shield should be around an inch.
-
Brick Heat Shields
When using brick shields on wood stoves, a spacing of about 7/8 inch between the wall and the heat shield is recommended.
-
Brick Heat Shields with Metal Backing
A combination of brick and metal heat shields can be installed for your wood stove.
The brick heat shields are installed in such a way that they have metal backing. All these configurations are being used creatively to provide adequate shielding from the heat coming from your wood stove.
Which Is Best For Me?
When it comes to functionality, all the heat shield variants listed provide the needed heat protection.
However, what gets installed in your home depends on the positioning of your wood stove, your preferences, and what works best for your situation.
This is a good introduction to heat shields used for wood stoves. These can also be used for other heating sources other than wood stoves.
You’ll need to discuss with your technician the most suitable option to have.
