What Type Of Chimney Liner Is Right For You?

As with any product, there are a wide variety of chimney liners on the market to choose from.  They have different uses and different strengths, and proper research should be done before deciding exactly what kind is right for you.  Just to brush up on your chimney knowledge a little, we want to note that a chimney liner is also known as a flue liner, and it is generally used to contain the combustion that occurs inside of your chimney, protecting the chimney itself from wear and corrosion.  It’s an added safety measure for your chimney and is extremely important in the proper maintenance of your chimney.  The different materials that liners are made of have different benefits, which we will outline below.

Clay Liners

A clay flue liner is the most common to see in a typical American home.  Clay is popular due to its easy availability, inexpensiveness, and classicism.  However, clay may not be doing exactly the job you expect it to.  A flue liner’s main function is to protect the sides of the chimney itself, preventing future needed maintenance.  Clay tiles are not very good at redistributing the heat in the chimney when a fire begins, meaning that those very clay tiles that you were trying to protect begin to shatter when met with extreme heat.  Though clay is inexpensive, you may end up paying for that decision later on in the form of chimney maintenance.

Cast-In-Place Liners

Cast-In-Place chimney liners are made out of a cement like material that is installed directly inside of your chimney.  Cast-in-place liners are lightweight and seamless, forming an effective and protective cement barrier between your flue and the gases and heat that will rise within it.  Cast-in-place liners are a great option, and suitable for most all kinds of fuels, and can even increase the structural integrity of an already existent chimney, but can be quite expensive.  Their custom nature doesn’t allow them to be one-size-fits-all, which is usually an easy way to save money.

Metal Liners

Metal liners, namely those made out of stainless steel and other similarly durable materials, are fantastic options when it comes to flue liners.  They are considerably more durable than clay, and if stainless steel is too rich for your blood, you should consider aluminum as another viable option. 

If you’re unsure as to what type of chimney liner may be best suited for your family, call Fire Side Chimney Supply for a consultation today!