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Double-Sided Log Burner Installation Cost (UK 2026)

A see-through stove between two rooms is one of the most striking modern installs. It's also one of the most expensive. Here's what the £4,500–£7,500 typical UK cost actually covers.

The short answer

A complete UK double-sided / through-wall install in 2026 costs £4,500–£7,500 total — £1,500–£3,500 more than a standard install with an existing chimney. The cost driver is threefold: the stove itself costs more (£1,500–£5,000+ vs ~£950 baseline), the structural opening has to be created or adapted in both rooms (often with an RSJ), and the flue almost always needs to be twin-wall routed centrally above the stove.

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Why double-sided installs cost more

  • The stove itself: typically £1,500–£5,000+ for double-sided models. Stovax, Charnwood, Hunter, and ACR all make them; few are below £2,000 at meaningful kW outputs.
  • Structural opening:the shared wall needs an opening on both sides. If load-bearing or chimney-breast, a steel lintel (RSJ) plus a structural engineer's report is required. Budget £900–£2,300 for engineering + RSJ.
  • Twin-wall flue: the flue exits centrally above the stove, which on most UK homes means a twin-wall system routed up through ceilings to the roof (£1,800–£3,500 installed). Existing chimneys are rarely centred between two rooms.
  • Hearths in both rooms: two non-combustible hearths comply with Approved Document J on each side. Bespoke double hearths run £400–£1,000 combined.
  • Fire-rated boarding: the through-wall opening requires fire-rated boards and register plates detailed for the double aperture. Materials and labour add £400–£900.

Building Regulations and HETAS access

All standard Approved Document J requirements apply on each side of the stove — hearth size (≥840×840mm), clearance to combustibles, CO alarm placement, flue height (4.5m minimum above the stove). The shared chamber must be properly fire-stopped between rooms.

HETAS access is specialist. Many HETAS-registered installers don't routinely handle through-wall configurations — confirm experience before booking. Use the HETAS Find Installer search and ask for examples of recent double-sided installs.

Top cost escalators

  1. Structural engineer + RSJ if the shared wall is load-bearing or part of a chimney breast: +£900–£2,300.
  2. Bespoke matching hearths on both sides — slate, granite, or glass in a coordinated finish doubles the hearth budget vs a standard single rectangular slab.
  3. Twin-wall flue length on a tall property — a three-storey ridge adds 2–3 metres of twin-wall pipe at £60–£120 per metre.

Recommended double-sided stoves

  • Charnwood Aire DS and the Cove range — premium UK-made with 10-year warranty. Charnwood guide →
  • Hunter Inset Convector DS — mid-market value option with optional back-boiler. Hunter guide →
  • Stovax Studio Tunnel — contemporary double-sided cassette.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does a double-sided log burner cost to install?

UK 2026 typical cost is £4,500–£7,500 total installed. That's £1,500–£3,500 more than a standard install, driven by the stove itself (£1,500–£5,000+ vs £950 baseline), the need to create the through-wall opening (often with a structural steel lintel), and the usually-required twin-wall flue.

Do I need an RSJ for a through-wall double-sided install?

Almost always yes if the dividing wall is load-bearing or part of a chimney breast. Expect a structural engineer's report (£400–£800) plus the RSJ supply and install (£500–£1,500) on top of the standard install cost.

Will the flue go up between the two rooms?

Usually no. The flue typically rises centrally above the stove, which on most UK homes means a twin-wall flue routed up through ceilings to the roof. If you have an existing chimney perfectly centred between the rooms it can be re-used, but that's rare.

Can I retrofit a double-sided stove into an existing single-sided opening?

Only if the wall is suitable for opening on the other side. Most retrofits require structural work to create the second opening and ensure both rooms comply with Part J clearances and hearth requirements.

Are double-sided stoves less efficient than single-sided?

Slightly. Heat radiates in both directions which sounds efficient, but the larger combustion chamber and glass surface area also lose more heat upward. Most double-sided models sit at 75–80% efficiency vs 85%+ for top single-sided units like the Charnwood Skye E700.