Glass Roof + Wood Stove: What Do I Need to Know?

[arnon]

Hi everyone, I’m looking for expert guidance before installing a wood stove in my sunroom, and I want to make sure I understand all the implications before moving forward.

I have a fully enclosed glass sunroom with glass walls and a glass ceiling. I’d like to place a wood-burning stove against the back wall to create a warm and cozy space for winter. My main questions and concerns are about the venting path for the chimney flue. Since the structure is almost entirely glass, I’m unsure whether the vent should go straight up through the glass ceiling or out through one of the glass side walls.

I’m trying to understand:

• Whether it is even possible or permitted to run a stove pipe through tempered or insulated glass panels
• If there are specialized roof or wall pass-through systems for glass structures
• What modifications (if any) need to be done to the frame or glazing to maintain safety and structural integrity
• What clearances and insulation are required around the penetration points
• If going out horizontally and then up is a safer or more realistic alternative

If anyone has experience adding a wood stove or chimney to a glass sunroom or greenhouse-style structure, I’d really appreciate your insight. I want to understand what’s possible, what’s recommended, and what the risks are before I invest in a stovepipe and the stove itself.

Thanks in advance for your guidance.

 

[begreen]

I've never seen this done. It will probably take removing a glass panel and replacing it with a solid panel of metal or maybe plywood. If the panels are large, then it may take adding a new strut or muntin to support a shorter glass panel and to accommodate a short solid panel that would have the chimney support attached to.

There could be other complications like chimney height, chimney location, clearances, etc.. We need to see the complete picture.

 

[kborndale]

I've seen some glass sauna's with chimneys, maybe look at them for ideas.

 

[begreen]

I've seen some glass sauna's with chimneys, maybe look at them for ideas.

Good thought, I have seen custom cut glass with a hole in it. However, those were freestanding and not using chimney pipe which would be required for residential. They just used stainless stove pipe. IIRC they were very pricey saunas.

 

[Burnin Since 1991]

Maybe a pellet stove would be an easier option? Smaller exhaust flue, less issues with clearances etc.