H E AT I N G / S T O V E S
The mighty stove
DO IT
As we build our homes ever more airtight, the go-to solution for a live flame is the stove. Words: Andrew Stanway
T
here’s nothing quite like a real fire and in many homes a stove is the most practical way of enjoying one. Wood burning stoves are popular for many reasons but people say they like them mainly because they can control them. In a ‘primitive’ sort of way they connect us to our ancient past. This is especially true for those stoves that have glass doors or panels so the flames can be readily seen and enjoyed. However efficient any other form of domestic heating is, there’s nothing like a friendly, real-flame fire to enliven a room. Dovre Bold 400 in Pure White enamel dovre.co.uk
108 / SELFBUILD / WINTER 2017
Do I need a shed to store the fuel?
If you’re burning logs you’ll need a lot of storage space. If you are using your own cut logs, to be safe, allow at least four cubic metres. This is because newly-cut logs take about two years to dry out, so you’ll need enough room to store three years’ worth of logs. If you buy ready-dried (kiln-dried) logs, you can get away with a smaller storage volume, as they can be used straight from the crate in which they come.
How do I choose the best stove for my needs?
First, you’ll need to decide whether your stove is to be just a nice addition to your home or whether it’ll form a part of your entire heating system. If it’s the latter, see p110. If it’s only for heating your living room you’ll need to think about the following: l The size of the room l The room layout: is it open plan? l How big the windows are l How well your home is insulated l How old your house is l Whether you’ll be prepared to have another source of heat as a backup or addition to your stove