UPDATED 4/7/2026: We advise everybody to invest in a chimney liner, especially when remodeling or replacing heating appliances, but does it matter what type? Yes! As with any product, the better and more reliable the material is, the better. There are certainly varying degrees to which you can count on a chimney liner to do its job, depending on what material your liner is made of. We recommend stainless steel, which is heralded as a strong, stain-resistant material, and its benefits certainly extend to your chimney liner.
What Does a Chimney Liner Do?
A chimney liner, or flue lining, is a lining for your chimney that aids in the filtering out of particulates, as well as serving to protect the sides of your chimney from heat and corrosion. Not only is having a chimney liner highly recommended for retrofit and existing clay chimney tiles, but a lot of fire safety codes actually mandate that you use a chimney liner.
What Problems Does a Chimney Liner Solve?
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Prevents Carbon Monoxide Leaks: older masonry chimneys often have gaps in the mortar joints or cracks in the clay chimney tiles. These cracks and breaks allow carbon monoxide and fuel gases to escape into the living spaces instead of the top of the chimney.
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Protects Against and Eliminates Dangerous Creosote Buildup: With an improperly sized chimney flue or a leaky old chimney, flue gases can cool too quickly, condensing into dangerous creosote buildup. Stainless steel chimney liners, especially insulated liners, keep the flue gases warmer, moving more quickly on their way through and out of the chimney, reducing the potential for creosote buildup.
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Chimey Liners Can Help Stop Masonry Decay and “Spalling”: Coal, oil, natural gas, and, to a lesser extent, wood appliances can create acidic moisture or condensate during the combustion process. This acidic moisture can soak into a brick and mortar chimney, leading to a process called spalling, which causes the masonry to flake, crack, and eventually break apart. A stainless steel chimney liner acts like a shield, extending the life of your chimney by decades.
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Remodel Like A Pro: In remodel or retrofit situations, a stainless steel chimney liner corrects for an improperly sized flue. New appliances generally have smaller flue requirements, and an old, larger flue can cause poor drafting and a loss of efficiency. Chimney liners come in all sizes and can ensure a perfect draft.
Are Stainless Steel Chimney Liners Worth The Cost?
Though chimney liners can come in a variety of materials, such as clay, ceramic, or aluminum, stainless steel is going to be your best bet for a durable, long-lasting, and effective chimney liner. Other chimney lining materials are going to work just fine in the short term, but the strong chemical bonds present in stainless steel makes it resistant to the changes from the heat of your fireplace or wood stove. Because the molecules of stainless steel are so solid and tightly packed, they are more resistant to heat and thus more durable than other substances. Our stainless steel chimney liners carry a lifetime transferable warranty.
What's Wrong With My Existing Clay Chimney?
Though a clay chimney liner can look elegant and old-school in a very pleasant way, clay and pumice are prone to cracking that a stainless steel chimney liner will resist. For a chimney that will last you the longest amount of time, stainless steel is definitely your best option.
What Kind of Maintenance Does A Chimney Liner Need?
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Annual Inspections: The National Fire Protection Association or NFPA recommends that all chimneys be inspected at least once a year by a certified chimney sweep. They will check for connection integrity, signs of corrosion, and any drafting issues.
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Regular Cleaning: If you are burning wood, regular cleaning with a poly chimney brush at least once a year will prevent any accumulating creosote and ensure you have a strong draft. A steel wire brush can damage the surface of a stainless steel chimney liner, creating grooves where soot can attach, and moisture can cause corrosion.
Will A Stainless Steel Chimney Liner Work For My Application?
Stainless steel chimney liners can be sized all the way down to 3" in diameter and up to 12" and can be compatible with most venting appliances through appliance adapters and fittings.
Stainless steel chimney liners are well worth the investment. Being able to be confident in your lining choice means having one less thing to worry about, so do it right the first time and get your stainless steel chimney liner from Fireside Chimney Supply!
