Maine Wood Heat Company

About Maine Wood Heat Company

Maine Wood Heat Company operates from Skowhegan, Maine, where Albie and Cheryl (Kemper) Barden founded the business in the late 1970s. What began as a family venture centered on Finnish-style masonry heaters has grown into a multi-brand operation still owned and run by the Barden family. Second-generation co-owner Scott Barden joined full-time in 2005, shifting the model from nomadic installations to in-house artisan manufacturing under one roof. The company now works through three complementary brands. Maine Oven Craft produces handcrafted wood-fired ovens for residential backyards and commercial kitchens, including pizzerias and fine-dining restaurants. Maine Metalcraft provides metal fabrication, custom design, and low-volume manufacturing, drawing on more than 75 years of collective expertise among its craftsmen. The Masonry Heaters brand delivers site-built brickwork, stone masonry, and fireplace installation for whole-home heating. Customers range from homeowners seeking a masonry heater as a primary heat source to chefs and restaurateurs who need high-volume wood-fired ovens. The metal fabrication shop serves clients requiring custom-designed parts and short-run production. All work is performed by a small team of builders, designers, welders, and problem-solvers rather than an automated factory line. The founders frame the business around enduring values of craftsmanship, connection, and respect for natural materials. They emphasize that they are not a factory but a family of artisans, a distinction they say drives the care put into each oven, heater, and fabricated component.

Company details

Location

Skowhegan, Maine

Company type

Manufacturer

Ownership

Family-owned

Listed under

• Electrical Components Manufacturers in Maine

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