Which Log-Burning Stove Should I Choose for a Log Cabin or Shed?

With fewer places to go for a break this year, it makes sense that more and more people are looking to their sheds and other outdoor buildings like log cabins for a quiet space and a little reprieve from the chaos that is life right now.

But you want to make sure that these spaces are warm and cosy, that’s the whole point, right? What better way to toast up your log cabin or shed with a log-burning stove! Read on to help you decide which log-burning stove you should choose for your cabin or shed.

Wood burning stove Contura 886G Style

Can you put a wood-burning stove in a log cabin or shed?

Yes, but there are some considerations that have to be made when doing so. Firstly, think about the size of the space you are using. Make sure there is enough room where you intend to put the wood-burning stove so that it’s not close to any flammable materials. Log cabins and sheds generally aren’t all that spacious, so be sure that you aren’t cutting corners and risking a fire by trying to install a log-burner in a space that isn’t big enough.

Secondly, it’s essential to seek the help of a HETAS registered engineer so that you can have a professional set of eyes overseeing the installation. As long as the stove is vented properly and is not at risk of setting anything on fire closeby, then there is no reason that you can’t have a wood-burning stove in your shed or log cabin.

What to consider when choosing a log-burning stove for your shed or log cabin

When choosing a log-burner to go into your log cabin or shed there are a few things that you have to consider:

1. Rules and Regulations

Probably the most important thing to think about when installing your wood-burning stove in your shed or log cabin is the regulations in your surrounding area that are in place to protect the environment and public health.

Do You Live in a Smoke Control Area?

• You may live in a smoke control area, in which case you will have to choose a log-burner that is on the DEFRA External link. approved appliance list. The best way to find out if you live in a smoke control area is to either speak to a local certified HETAS engineer or contact your local council with the query.

Carbon Monoxide Detector is Essential

• It’s incredibly important to get a carbon monoxide detector for your shed or log cabin when installing a wood-burning stove. As sheds and cabins are much smaller spaces, they can fill up quickly with lethal carbon monoxide.

Enlist a HETAS Registered Installer

• Your new stove should also be purchased from a HETAS registered supplier so that you can be sure it meets all necessary safety standards, and it should generally be installed by a HETAS certified engineer to make sure the installation also meets these standards.

Don’t Forget to Check The Flue

• Ensure that your flue is also installed correctly and in accordance with these rules and regs. It’s also best to make sure that your flue is at an acceptable height and is not bothering anybody when smoke is being exhausted from it.

2. Structure

The structure and composition of your shed or log cabin are also important to consider. The floor needs to be able to support the weight of the stove that you are installing. This is why you need to think about the size and weight of the stove that you choose and go for a smaller size where possible.

As well as being able to support the log-burner, your building must have relevant measures in place to protect it from the extreme heat produced. Log cabins are made of logs, after all, the exact material that your stove will use as fuel, so it’s important that you position the stove away from any combustible materials and walls so that the open flame is not at risk of catching anything that will burn.

3. Size

As mentioned, it’s essential to get a stove that suits the size of your log cabin or shed. These buildings are generally much smaller than a normal home living space and therefore require a lot less heat to get to an optimal temperature.

4. Insulation

Although log cabins are generally smaller spaces and take less time to heat up, this doesn’t matter if the heat can not be efficiently retained. This is where insulation comes in. As log cabins and sheds are outdoor buildings, it’s essential to properly insulate them to make sure the heat stays in the building as long as possible. This applies to the floor, walls and roof.

Not only will proper insulation keep your shed or log cabin warm, but it will also save you a heck of a lot of money in fuel (logs). The quicker your building gets cold, the more logs you will need to keep it at an optimal temperature. So, although the insulation may be initially costly, it will save you money in the long run on fuel.

Installing a wood-burning stove in a log cabin or shed

Now that you know the top things to consider when choosing a log burning stove for your shed or log cabin, it’s time to think about installing the stove.

1. Contact HETA Certified Engineer for Correct Installation

We’ve already mentioned that it’s best to use a HETAS certified engineer to install the stove ensuring that it’s installed correctly, safely and securely. This is because there is a lot that can go wrong if a log-burner is incorrectly installed, and this leads to great risk, going as far as being potentially lethal (carbon monoxide leaks, fires and even explosions in extreme cases).

2. Stove Positioning & Using a Heat Shield

Another important consideration that we have touched upon is space. The stove needs to be installed with sufficient room surrounding it and not near to any flammable objects, or any objects at all for that matter. After all, your shed or log cabin is made out of the exact material you are using as fuel - wood, so you want to remove all possibility of the flames meeting the wood. It’s also recommended to use heat shields if your stove is backed up against a wall to avoid heat damage to the wood and potential combustion.

Choosing a log-burner for your shed or log cabin

If you’re looking to install a wood-burning stove in your log cabin or shed, then why not take a look at our range of HETAS certified log-burners here at Contura.

Contura i5L

This freestanding wood-burning stove is perfectly minimal for small spaces like sheds or log cabins. With a heat output of 5kw, the Contura i5L heats around 90m2, making it more than sufficient for a small to medium-sized log cabin or shed. There is also the option for a modern panorama door so that you can view your log fire in all its glory.

Contura 510G Style

Another more contemporary option is the Contura 510G Style. This log-burning stove comes with a small log storage section. It has a heat output of 5kw and heats an area of 120m2 making it ideal for warming medium to large-sized sheds or log cabins.

Contura 886 Style

For something a little more subtle and compact, try the Contura 886 Style. This free-standing wood-burner gives great visibility of your fire for that perfect cosy feeling as well as a good energy output of 5kw and a heating space of 120m2.

Want to see the entire range? Take a look at the complete collection of wood burning stoves.