| Traditionally, wood-burning freestanding stoves | | | | the account, making sure they are in compliance |
| were used in ski cabins and lodges, but today | | | | with your local building codes. Since wood-burning |
| thanks to new design concepts they have | | | | stoves are not strictly fireplaces, they don't |
| become a welcome addition to any home. | | | | require any clearance between the fire chamber |
| Wood-burning stoves can be installed in any room | | | | and surrounding combustible materials, such as |
| of your house, but most often they are placed in | | | | wood or fabric. |
| living or dining rooms, as well as in patios. While | | | | Conventional wood-burning stoves vary in heat |
| traditional fireplaces generally work as a piece of | | | | efficiency because their construction can be very |
| décor, free-standing wood-burning stoves | | | | different, too. The efficiency of a wood-burning |
| are generally used for more practical purposes, | | | | stove depends on how much of its combustion |
| namely, for heating and even cooking. Thanks to | | | | energy turns to heat, which in its turn depends on |
| new designs, your wood-burning stove will look | | | | how well it burns wood. Even the best |
| attractive and still remain perfectly functional. | | | | wood-burning stoves don't burn all wood |
| Because it isn't attached to the wall, a | | | | completely. The smoke is actually composed of |
| wood-burning stove will radiate more heat | | | | unburned wood particles. Another factor that |
| throughout a small or large room. | | | | impacts the wood-burning stove's efficiency is |
| Most often, wood-burning stoves are usually built | | | | how much heat escapes through the chimney. |
| of stainless steel, soapstone or ceramics study | | | | To improve the efficiency of your wood-burning |
| stone and brick but can remain sleek and | | | | stove, consider a chimney sweep in the first |
| contemporary thanks to new materials such as | | | | place. This should be done by a professional |
| fireproof glass and stainless steel details. The | | | | fireplace expert. If you noticed that a lot of |
| shape of these stoves is most commonly tall and | | | | smoke is produced during the wood burning, you |
| cylindrical, with built-in wood storage under the | | | | may need to alter the size of your stove opening, |
| burning chamber. | | | | or reconfigure the existing fire chamber. If you |
| When choosing a new wood-burning stove, keep | | | | notice that a lot of hot air escapes through the |
| in mind that the size of your wood-burning stove | | | | chimney, you may consider replacing the fire |
| is determined by the size of the space that needs | | | | basket - the metal rack that supports the burning |
| to be heated. The fire of the stove should be | | | | logs. New designs of fire baskets can greatly |
| substantial enough to please the eye as well as | | | | improve air circulation and heat efficiency. |
| heat the room, but too much fire can literally turn | | | | Wood burning stoves today offer a great variety |
| your place into an oven. | | | | of looks and designs to suit any home style, from |
| When picking a place to put your new stove, | | | | a retro Victorian house to a steel loft condo. |
| avoid traffic areas such as doors. A stove | | | | Painted black, brushed steel or even red, with |
| surrounded by windows may be a good solution. | | | | stovepipe to match, wood burning stoves with |
| The fire chamber door should face the room. | | | | generous glass doors allow you admire the |
| Don't forget to take stovepipe requirements into | | | | dancing flames during the cold winter season. |