Space Requirements around a stove

Hi folks,

I am thinking of putting in a multi fuel stove into the exisiting fireplace at home. the fire place is made for a gas fire and has nothing there at the minute just the gas pipe, so was thinking of getting a free standing stove. The hearth and surround have cracks in them for heat expansion but i was wondering if you know how much space should be kept between the stove and the surround? the hearth is not that deep so the stove will be pushed up against it quite close. (i have been looking at some stoves that are slimline, about 400 mm deep but only leaves about 50mm left of depth). I'm just worried that if i install one and over time the surround might crack.

thanks in advance

burger

You will need a minimum of 4" each side, 4" above, not as much at the back as stoves can be fitted almost flush with the rear of the fireplace (assuming flue on top not from the rear) and at least 9" clearance over the hearth at the front to allow for opening the door without dropping anything hot on the carpet or lovely wood floor if you have one

thanks for that ed i have 4" space either side alright, the hearth is only 18" deep and the one i am thinking of getting is only going to leave about 2" left for oopening of door but the sales person said that i can get an extension piece to cover the extra distance needed. also the sotve will be pushed right up against the surround with the flue coming out the back. does this sound ok to you? (of course without seeing the fire place) the stove is not an insert

What you describe Burger1979 should be fine. However the output of the stove would also need to be considered. Your best bet is to ask your stove supplier and perhaps bring a photo of the fireplace with you.

well folks i have done the deed and bought the stove and i have 7.5 inches of space from the side of the stove to the wooden surround. the stove supplier said that we would need to get the wooden surround replaced with either stone or cast iron or that the wood could warp. he said that we could take the risk but in the long run could cost us more with replacing the surround. what are peoples opinions? i dont want to discount what the supplier said but everything i seem to do with my house ends up costing me more then i had planned