Many homeowners’ conservatories can end up being used as storage areas or dumping grounds for miscellaneous odds and ends. What a waste! A conservatory can create an extra functional room in your home, adding a lovely some wonderful dining furniture with a set of comfy gilda conservatory cushions and adding a log burner is a great way of keeping the area warm while adding a touch of contemporary style too.
With that in mind, here’s what you need to know about log burners in your conservatory.
Do You Need Planning Permission For a Log Burner in a Conservatory?
Unless you live in a conservation area, in a listed building, or the log burner’s flue extends for more than one metre above the highest point of your property’s roof, you will almost certainly not need planning permission to install a log burner.
However, you will need a Building Regulation Certification from your local council.
Can You Fit a Log Burner Yourself?
You can employ a HETAS registered fitter to fit your log burner for you, in which case you won’t need to apply to your local authority.
Alternatively, you could take on the job yourself, using Building Control (part of your local council). Note that, currently in Scotland, you don’t need permission to fit a chimney flue or solid fuel stove.
In England and Wales, the installation of multifuel and wood-burning stoves is deemed to be work that is “controlled” under the Building Regulations, as is the installation or relining of chimneys and flues that are associated with such heat-producing appliances.
So, if you want to fit your own log burner, you will need to submit an application to Building Control before you begin work or employ a registered contractor to complete and survey the job as part of a self-certification scheme.
Make sure that you begin your application for certification at least ten days before you want to start the work. You can attach all your plans and supporting documentation to your online application and pay the fees online.
Fees are usually between £120 and £200, although they can vary between local authorities.
Once your log burner has been approved, you will receive certification paperwork, confirming that the appliance is legal and safe to use. Keep the documents in a safe place, as you will need them for insurance purposes, and to pass on to the new owners if you sell your property.
What are the Advantages of Installing a Log Burner in Conservatory?
Extending your home’s central heating to your conservatory does require building regulation approval, and it can be a messy, expensive job. Electric heaters can be costly to run (not all!) and are not always efficient at heating the room.
On the other hand, log burners have a number of advantages:
- A log burner is a powerful heat source, heating up the room efficiently and quickly without a conservatory heater.
- A log burner makes a room cosy, and a crackling fire provides a nice, relaxing ambience. Depending on your style, it may fit in well if you have more shabby chic furniture in your conservatory.
- Log burners are cost-effective to run and are very energy efficient. Wood is usually much cheaper than electricity and gas, helping you to save money on your fuel bills.
- Log burners make a very attractive focal point in a room and come in a variety of attractive styles.
- Though they look more traditional, a log burner could be used to modernise a conservatory.
Important Considerations When Considering How to Fit a Log Burner in a Conservatory
When considering how to install a log burner in conservatory rooms, you’ll need to do some research to make sure that your log burner is fitted safely and in compliance with UK building regulations.
Here are a few important things to consider:
Size of the Log Burner
To make sure that you can achieve a comfortable ambient temperature in the space, you must choose the right size of the log burner with the appropriate kilowattage for the dimensions of the conservatory. Your log burner provider will be able to advise you accordingly on this.
The size of the room and the materials that are used in its construction, i.e., single, double, or triple glazing, will also have a bearing on the size of log burner you need. For example, an average-sized conservatory with double glazing on three sides and a roof made of polycarbonate will require a wood burner of around 5 to 6 kW.
DEFRA Approved Stove
Residents living in DEFRA smoke control areas must use only a DEFRA approved wood burner that burns fuels that are authorised for use in the area.
Chimney
Log burners produce smoke and other gases, and you will need to install a flue to remove these substances. That’s achieved by using an insulated flue (twin flue). To fit a twin flue, a pane of glass in the conservatory roof is cut to allow the flue to pass through it.
Where To Position the Log Burner
If you want to install your flue close to your property’s outside wall, the flue must extend above gutter height.
Ideally, you want to position the log burner at least 2.3 metres from the house’s outside wall. That will allow plenty of space for the smoke produced by the burner to disperse well away from your house. In that case, the building regulations state that the flue must only extend one metre above the conservatory roof.
Base
To comply with UK building regulations, the log burner must sit on a non-flammable base.
So, if your conservatory has a wooden floor or is carpeted, you’ll need to put down a stone or tile base for the log burner. That base must be at least 50mm thick and must extend at least 300mm in front of the log burner.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Log burners that are faulty can leak carbon monoxide, so you must fit a carbon monoxide alarm in the conservatory.
Before you fit your log burner, check with your local authority’s Building Control department to make sure that your plans are in order. That could potentially save you a whole lot of expense and hassle further down the line.
How Much is it to Fit Log Burner in Conservatory?
In addition to the cost of certification, you’ll need to budget for the cost of the log burner itself and any alterations that will be required to your conservatory.
Log burners range in price from a few hundred pounds to a couple of thousand, depending on the size and design of the appliance.
What Style of Log Burner to Choose
The log burner forms a central focal point in the room, so it’s important to choose the right style of appliance to fit your décor scheme.
Although matt black log burners are the traditional option, a conservatory that has a contemporary style would lend itself perfectly to a coloured appliance, especially when placed against a coloured wall.
Ivory and cream coloured log burners look particularly stunning when teamed with painted wrought iron or wicker conservatory furniture.
Final Thoughts
If you have a chilly, empty conservatory, you could transform it into a functional, cosy space by adding a log burner and some tasteful conservatory furniture. You can either use a HETAS certified contractor to carry out the installation for you or undertake the work yourself, which is a cheaper option.
A stylish conservatory that has a log burner can create a valuable extra room in your property and may even increase its value when you come to sell.