Proper venting of smoke and gases is critical to the operation of your chimney and the safety of the occupants of your home, and an effective flue liner can provide the extra protection you need. While there are many materials that can be used as chimney liners, but the stainless steel variety can provide you and your property with the following benefits.
1. Protect yourself with a stainless steel chimney liner
Stainless steel liners help prevent missing mortar or broken tiles often found in chimneys that lack a liner or have a liner made of clay tiles. Missing mortar or broken tiles can allow toxic fumes and gases to enter your attic and living space.
You can install insulation around the liner to prevent creosote buildup, which can lead to chimney fires.
When you're not using your fireplace, insulation reduces cold down drafts in your chimney. This way, you can still stay warm even when the fireplace is not in use.
2. Protect your chimney
Stainless steel clad plate also prevents your chimney from being damaged by corrosive combustion products. With a stainless steel liner, carbon dioxide, water, creosote and smoke leave the chimney without touching the masonry of the chimney. In addition, the advantage of a stainless steel chimney liner is that it is corrosion resistant, so it can be used for long periods of time without leakage problems.
3. Easier to clean
Ideally, you should have your chimney cleaned at least once a year, especially before the weather gets colder at the start of the heating season. In addition to inspecting the outside of your chimney and firebox, you should also clean the liner as part of your maintenance routine. Stainless steel liners are easier to clean than liners made of clay tiles, and they collect less creosote, making the job faster and less messy.
Clay liners will have a square shape that matches the shape of the masonry chimney. Stainless steel liners are rounded, which means there are no corners and it is easier to clean creosote.
4. Add insulation
In addition to the round shape, the stainless steel chimney liner leaves room for added insulation, which also reduces creosote buildup. By adding insulation around the liner or between the liner and the chimney wall, the temperature in the chimney stays warmer. At higher temperatures, smoke and gases are more likely to remain smoke and gases until they leave the chimney, rather than condensing as creosote deposits on the side of the liner. When not in use, insulation can also help reduce the amount of cold air entering your home through the chimney. In addition, insulation helps maintain better ventilation during use and even reduces cooling down drafts when there is no fire.
5. Versatility
Stainless steel flue liners can be rigid or flexible, so they can be installed in any shape of chimney, even one with a bend in it. They come in different thicknesses and strengths, depending on your needs. They can also be used for different types of appliances, such as fireplaces and wood stoves. They are suitable for a wide range of fuels from wood to natural gas.
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