Installing a wood stove in my garage

[NSBound]

Well, wood stoves are actually illegal in the garage.

I think that this type of thing is governed by local building codes, so you can't make a blanket statement like that to everyone. In my area, they are not illegal, but we do have to have the installation inspected and approved by a WETT inspector (Wood Energy Technology Transfer).

 

[General Lee]

Well, wood stoves are actually illegal in the garage. You would have to build a room within the garage for the stove.

Doesn't mean people don't do it but it does mean that if the place burns down that your insurance won't cover you. Worst yet, if the fire spreads to a neighbor's property or hurts someone that you are liable and uninsured. Kinda ugly really. You can check this because when you go to get a permit for it, the permit will be denied.

If you choose to do it anyway be sure that you make it foolproof and be extra diligent to avoid chimney fires.

Another option for a garage is a wood furnace that will make gobs of hot air and is more likely to be permitted.

Remember, unpermitted = illegal = void your insurance.

Maybe illegal in your state, but I've already spoke to my insurance company. They just want to come and inspect it after installation. I haven't run across any info where a garage wood stove is illegal in my state. I will definitely do some digging to make sure since you mentioned it.

 

[Highbeam]

Canada has their own rules but we have a national building code. Ask your insurance company about your unpermitted install and see if they change their tune. You'd better get that in writing too. If you can get a permit for your garage install then you're golden, I betchya can't.

 

[NSBound]

If you can get a permit for your garage install then you're golden, I betchya can't.

Got it, did it, inspected, approved, insured - all in writing!

 

[Highbeam]

Like I said, Canada has their own rules. The rest of the folks in this thread, including the OP, are from America. Maybe in Mexico you can put a stove in the garage too.

That said, if me or anybody else can accomplish what you did,

"Got it, did it, inspected, approved, insured - all in writing!"

Then that's great. I would love to have a wood burner in the garage.

 

[tommu56]

If you do put a wood stove in the garage don't do any parts cleaning in the garage.
We had a neighbor cleaning car parts with a kerosene heater in there and the fumes got to the heater and the garage and cars were a total loss luckily he got out with just a sun burn on his hands and face.

tom

 

[westcliffe01]

If it is a "workshop", you may get a permit if it is clear to the inspector that no fuel or solvents etc will be stored in the area and that it is not used for parked vehicles. There will be some other requirements, like a fireproof door and the interior will have to be appropriately finished (drywall to provide fireproofing etc).

 

[Duffster]

we have a national building code..

Since when?

I am assuming you meant "we" as the United States.

 

[studor]

Maybe in Mexico you can put a stove in the garage too.

Nah -- there you put the garage in the stove on cold nights

First off you have to stop calling it a garage -it is a shop
If it is an attached garage you will have difficulty in a number of places (like most of the US and Canada)
A detached garage is different than a shop -- in a lot of places you can heat a shop with wood -- garages on the other hand are a bit more problematic because of immediate thoughts by inspectors of gasoline and expensive vehicle storage etc. I heat my shop with wood but not my garage

 

[General Lee]

I talked to my insurance company again and since the garage is finished....ie; dywall etc, it is considered living space so as long they come out and inspect it and everything checks ok it will covered.