Tags
chimney liners chimney liner facts chimney insulation benefits of a fireplace

If you invest in an older home, there’s a good chance that it has a wood burning fireplace rather than an electric one, which builders are now putting in the newer model homes. For those who have lived in an older home, they understand the importance of fireplace maintenance which means having the pit inspected as well as all the way up the flue. Now, with that being said, a licensed chimney inspector will check your chimney liner to make sure it isn't damaged, however with some older homes that are being refurbished, the inspection will often uncover that there wasn't a liner to begin with.

Need a New Chimney Liner?

Masonry chimney aren't historically known for having well-constructed chimney flue’s, which is why so many homeowners need to have a chimney liner kit installed. The liner within the chimney provides safe insulation for a smooth burn. If you have your chimney inspected and they’ve found that you do in fact need a new liner, you have a few options:

  • Reconstruct the flue with new clay tiles.
  • Reinforce the chimney by pouring new cement.
  • Reline the flue with a new liner kit.

Clay Chimney Flues

Chimney flues that are lined with clay tiles are a traditional favorite for a few notable reasons:

  1. They’re inexpensive.
  2. They require very little maintenance (just regular cleaning).
  3. Resistant to corrosive byproducts and heat.
  4. If properly finished, they last up to 50 years (sometimes longer).

However with that being said, if you have a pre-existing chimney, installing clay tiles within the flue can be a costly investment, especially if the chimney construction is bent because the tiles need to be customized to fit in the joints.

If you ask any fire protection expert or in home contractor, they’ll recommend you stick with stainless steel chimney liners. They require less labor to install and they can be purchased in chimney liner kits that come with insulation wrap and fittings for the fireplace, stove, furnace, and boiler. Essentially, any application you have that requires a chimney to expel the smoke from your home, a chimney liner kit will come with the proper hook up and fittings.