This article discusses what material is used for a chimney liner. A chimney liner does not you’re your chimney safe, it also improves its functionality. This is the reason why homeowners install high-quality liners that are durable and efficient. With the wide array of chimney liners available, a common question that people ask is what material they should use for a chimney. Let us find out the answer below.
What material is used for a chimney liner? Chimney liners are made from different materials such as stainless steel, clay tiles, aluminum, and casted masonry. The type of material that you choose should suit the material of your chimney.
Chimney liners are important because, without them, byproducts can damage the chimney and allow toxic gases to leak inside the house. There are different materials used for chimney liners so you can rest assured that you will find the one that suits your needs and preferences. You can always ask professionals for advice regarding the best liner for your chimney.
What Materials are Used for Chimney Liners?
The common materials used for chimney liners are clay tile, cast-in-place, and metal. The type of liner that you choose will have to depend on the type of chimney that you have, how old the chimney is, and when the liner is last replaced. Let us learn more about these materials below.
Clay Tile Liners
The most common type of chimney liner that is popular for older homes is the clay tile liner. This type of liner is affordable and can last for up to fifty years or more. On the other hand, they can easily crack especially when exposed to uneven heat. They are also hard to repair.
It is important that the clay tile liners are thoroughly inspected before use and they should also be properly maintained. Take note that when exposed to uneven heat, they can easily crack which can be a potential risk to a house fire. Moreover, when the tile is damaged, a repair can be hard which prompts users to choose different liners to save time, effort, and money.
Cast-in Place Liners
Another material that is used for chimney liners is cast-in-place. This type of chimney liner is permanent and they are poured into the chimney and left to harden. The good thing about cast-in-place liners is that they provide good insulation for the chimney and also make the structure stronger. Moreover, this type of material can be able to withstand high temperatures.
Because the cast-in-place liner is permanent, you will need to replace the entire liner if a part of it gets damaged. The good thing is that this seldom happens because of the integrity of the material.
Metal Flue Liner
Another option for a chimney liner material is metal. This material is the most popular choice for a lot of homeowners nowadays. Metal flue liners are easy to install and more affordable as compared to other chimney liner materials. They are usually made from stainless steel which is well known to be corrosion-resistant.
Metal flue liners also provide a lot of benefits to a chimney. They can be used for any type of chimney because they can be rigid or flexible. Moreover, they are easy to install.
What Are the Other Types of Chimney Liners?
The other types of chimney liners are easy-flex liners, heavy flex liners, and rigid liners. Find out more about these types of liners below.
Heavy Flex Liners
This type of chimney liner is made for extremely harsh situations such as the burning of solid fuel. They are ideal for straight. When cleaning a heavy flex liner, the toughest wire brush should be used.
Easy Flex Liners
You can also choose easy flex liners. They are usually used in relined chimneys because they are lightweight and easy to install. Moreover, they are UL-Listed and available in various shapes and sizes. You can also read this article that discusses if unlined chimneys are safe. We have shared helpful information that you can refer to.
Rigid Liners
This type of liner is durable and features a smooth inside wall. They are ideal for chimneys because they cannot easily be infiltrated by creosote. Aside from that, rigid liners can withstand hard situations.
What is Aluminum Chimney Liner?
Aluminum chimney liners are a type of liner that is popular for chimneys. On the other hand, they are not as versatile as compared to stainless steel liners. Because aluminum has a melting temperature of 1215 degrees Fahrenheit, it should be used only for lower efficient gas appliances. Take note that water heaters and older natural gas appliances are the ones that are recommended to be used with an aluminum chimney liner.
Furthermore, appliances that have a below eighty-three percent efficiency rating are suitable for aluminum chimney liners. The good thing about aluminum chimney liners is that they are more affordable as compared to stainless steel chimney liners. On the other hand, they can only last for about ten to fifteen years and should not be used with the wood-burning appliance.
What is Stainless Steel Chimney Liner?
Stainless steel chimney liners are a type of chimney liner that can handle a maximum heat temperature of 2100 degrees Fahrenheit. They usually come with a warranty and the higher the grade that they have, the longer they will last. Stainless steel chimney liners are also a popular choice for homeowners. On the other hand, they can be a bit more expensive than aluminum liners. We have also shared this article titled, what happens if you don’t have a chimney liner? You can check out the article for more tips and information.
✅ Video – Installing a Stainless Steel Chimney Liner
SB shared the video below on YouTube. It discusses how to install a stainless steel chimney liner. Stainless steel is a good option for a chimney liner. Click the play button below for the process of how it is done
What Type of Chimney Liner is Best for My Chimney?
The best type of chimney liner for your chimney is the one that suits it perfectly. Take note that there are many types of chimney liners available on the market and each type varies due to different factors like size and material. When choosing a chimney liner, it is recommended that you get in touch with a specialist chimney company for advice. They can help you choose the type of chimney liner that is best for your chimney as well as what liner works best with the type of fuel that your fireplace uses and the condensation level inside the chimney.
Why Do You Need to Reline Your Chimney?
You need to reline your chimney to make sure that it properly and safely functions. A chimney that is not properly aligned can cause a lot of issues to the property and the people living inside the house as well. One of the reasons why a chimney needs relining is because it has the wrong size of liner. If this is the case, it can result in soot and creosote deposits as well as improper draft. Make sure that you get in touch with a chimney professional regarding the relining of your chimney.
Another reason to have your chimney relined is that there are cracks and breaches in the lining which can be a fire hazard. If you notice any cracks or damage in your chimney liner, get in touch with a professional for the best repair solution. You can also read this article that discusses how long chimney liners last. We have shared helpful information that you can refer to.
Is a Sealant Needed for Chimney Liners?
A sealant is needed for chimney liners as they can bring your liner back to life. Through the years, wear, tear, and chips can appear in your chimney liner. With the use of a sealant, you can easily patch and repair small cracks in the liner. Moreover, a sealant can be a good solution if there is damage to an area in the liner and complete coating is required.
Moreover, a sealant can also be used on the interior of the chimney before sliding a new liner into it. For extra protection, coat the sealant on the inside of the liner. This will effectively vent flue gases as well as keep your chimney clean. Make sure that the sealant is suitable for the type of fuel that you use on the chimney. You can also check out this article that discusses what the different types of chimney liners are. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed what material is used for a chimney liner. We have found out that there are different types of materials used for a chimney liner and each of them has its pros and cons. When choosing a chimney liner, make sure that the material suits the type of chimney that you have. Take note that not all chimney liner material is suitable for all types of the chimney. Get in touch with a chimney professional for advice. Thank you for reading!