Media Wall Log Burner Cost (UK 2026)
A media wall with a real wood-burning stove is one of the most striking — and most expensive — UK installs in 2026. Typical total £4,500–£8,000. Bespoke versions exceed £10,000.
The short answer
UK 2026 typical: £4,500–£8,000total for a media wall with a real wood-burning stove (rather than an electric fire). That's £1,500–£4,000 over a standard install — and the spread reflects how bespoke the joinery, finishes, and TV integration become.
The critical realisation: standard media wall construction (MDF or plasterboard stud with an electric fire) is entirely unsuitable for a functioning wood-burning stove. The whole structure must be rebuilt in fire-rated materials.
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Open the calculator →Why media walls cost so much
- Fire-rated plasterboard and calcium silicate board for the whole feature wall structure: £800–£1,800 in materials and fitting, vs ~£400 for standard plasterboard on a non-fire-rated electric-fire media wall
- Heat shielding above the stove — non-combustible beam, slate shelf, or steel deflector to protect the TV from the convective heat plume: £100–£400
- Twin-wall flue (if no existing chimney): most media walls are on flat or external walls far from a masonry chimney. £1,800–£3,000 installed
- Joinery, tiling, and finishing: a bespoke media wall involves a carpenter for shelving and cabinetry (using fire-rated board), a tiler or stone-setter for the hearth area, and a plasterer for finishing: £1,000–£3,000
- The stove itself: inset or cassette models suited to media wall installation typically £1,500–£3,500
TV directly above the stove — proceed carefully
Putting a TV directly above a working stove is possible but requires a thermal survey and likely a purpose-built recessed TV cavity with heat barriers. Manufacturers (Samsung, LG, Sony) void warranties on TVs damaged by heat from a stove or fireplace. Budget £500–£2,000 extra for proper heat-shielding integration.
Cheaper, equally striking alternative: stove below + TV on an adjacent wall, or stove below + a piece of art / mirror above it (no thermal risk).
HETAS access — specialist
The stove install itself is standard HETAS scope, but coordinating the multi-trade build (carpenter, plasterer, electrician, tiler, stove fitter) requires a main contractor or specialist installer. Not all HETAS-registered installers offer full media wall coordination — explicitly ask about media wall experience before booking.
Recommended media wall stoves
Inset and cassette stoves sit flush with the wall, making them the dominant media wall picks. Freestanding stoves can work but require deeper protrusion.
- Charnwood Bay BX (£2,562, 5kW DEFRA, clearSkies certified) — premium UK-made inset. Charnwood guide →
- Stovax Riva2 inset cassettes & Studio range (£2,000–£4,300 range) — wide UK dealer network, multiple sizes, warm-air duct option on Studio freestanding. Stovax Riva-Studio review →
- Contura i-series inset (£2,400–£3,200) — contemporary Swedish design.
- Arada i400 / i600 (£1,300–£1,800) — multifuel inset cassettes from Devon manufacturer. Aarrow/Arada guide →
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Find an installer →Frequently asked questions
Can I have a real wood-burning stove in a media wall?
Yes — but the media wall must be rebuilt in fire-rated materials throughout. Standard plasterboard/MDF media wall construction (used for electric fires) is unsuitable for a real wood-burning stove. UK 2026 typical cost: £4,500–£8,000 total installed.
Why are media wall installs so much more expensive?
Three reasons: (1) fire-rated plasterboard and calcium silicate board for the entire feature wall (£800–£1,800 vs ~£400 for standard plasterboard), (2) heat shielding to protect the TV above the stove (£100–£400), (3) typically a twin-wall flue routed up through the wall to the roof (£1,800–£3,000 vs zero with an existing chimney).
Can I put a TV directly above a wood-burning stove?
Possible but requires a thermal survey and likely a recessed TV cavity with heat barriers (adds £500–£2,000). Most installers strongly recommend at least a non-combustible beam, slate shelf, or steel deflector above the stove to deflect the heat plume. Manufacturers void warranty on TVs damaged by stove heat.
Which stoves work best in media walls?
Inset / cassette stoves are best — they sit flush with the wall. Charnwood Bay BX (£2,562, 5kW), Stovax Riva2 inset cassettes, and Contura inset i-series are the dominant UK media wall picks. Freestanding stoves can work but require deeper protrusion from the wall.
Does a media wall stove need a HETAS specialist?
Yes — coordination of the multi-trade build (carpenter, plasterer, electrician, tiler) and the stove install requires a main contractor or specialist installer. Not all HETAS installers do full media wall integrations — explicitly ask about media wall experience before booking.