Martin Carroll wrote:

We are thinking of putting a wood burning stove in our living room and I
was wondering if anyone here was au-fait with the flue systems we could
use.

As I understand it we can't use a balanced-flue with a solid fuel stove.


Not IIRC without a forced draught, no.



The wall it would go on is an external wall (gable-end actually) and so
there should be no problem putting a flue on the outside wall, however
we don't really fancy a bright aluminium coloured flue. I assume they
can be painted or maybe they can be bought already painted black.



For wood its likley to be a double insulated stainless steel and very
expensive flue.


Is it a reasonable DIY job, I would need to hire some sort of hole
cutter but other than that I guess it would not need any specialised
tools.


No. Its not hard at all, BUT IIRC you can;rt exit horizintally, must be
at leats at 45 degrees.



What height does the flue need to go to? Also can these stoves sit on a
wooden floor?


Higher than teh house, and no, they can't. Must sit on hearth of
incombustibel stuff extending regulatonn distance beyond fire.


Any helpful hints, useful links etc. would be gratefully received.


Building regs.



Cheers

Martin