A chimney liner is one of the most important fireplace accessories you can buy to protect your home and health. A fire in a wood burning or gas fireplace creates high levels of heat and lethal gases. These combustion products are capable of causing damage to your fireplace, chimney and home, and can even make you sick.
A chimney liner is an insert made from materials such as metal, clay or ceramic that keeps your chimney safe from these combustion byproducts. Additionally, it guards the walls of the chimney from the effects of corrosion and heat. Once the chimney gets overheated or sustains some damage, any nearby wood used in the construction of your home is at risk of catching fire.
Testing has revealed that unlined chimneys are very hazardous. In the US, homes containing a fireplace that were built after 1940 must have a chimney liner, and they must be replaced if broken or cracked.
There are three basic kinds of chimney liner:
1. Historically, chimney liners have been made from clay tiles. This is a cost effective choice; it's also easy to get and performs perfectly well in a properly maintained fireplace chimney.
2. To repair or upgrade an already existing chimney, metal chimney liners made of aluminum or stainless steel are the most common choice. The advantages of a metal liner are that it is highly durable and very safe if the installation is done properly.
3. Then there's the cast-in-place liner. This lightweight item is produced from material that looks like cement. Following installation in the chimney, it will provide a seamless, insulated route for the release of all the byproducts of a burning fire. This type of permanent liner makes an older chimney more stable and sturdy, and can be used with any type of fuel.
When replacing their chimney liners, most people nowadays select stainless steel because it's much simpler to install than clay tiles. It's available in either flexible or stiff styles.
Generally, homeowners will want to have a chimney liner installed by professionals. But you can save some money by purchasing a kit which comes complete with detailed installation instructions. The kits usually include all the required accessories and attachments to get the job done.
If you live in an older home with a fireplace, it's essential that you have it professionally inspected to make sure it's up to the current standards of safety. An old chimney that's damaged or improperly lined presents a great danger to the members of your household. And since there are a number of reasonably priced and effective ways to correct the situation, there's really no excuse not to invest in one of these essential fireplace accessories. - 15252
A chimney liner is an insert made from materials such as metal, clay or ceramic that keeps your chimney safe from these combustion byproducts. Additionally, it guards the walls of the chimney from the effects of corrosion and heat. Once the chimney gets overheated or sustains some damage, any nearby wood used in the construction of your home is at risk of catching fire.
Testing has revealed that unlined chimneys are very hazardous. In the US, homes containing a fireplace that were built after 1940 must have a chimney liner, and they must be replaced if broken or cracked.
There are three basic kinds of chimney liner:
1. Historically, chimney liners have been made from clay tiles. This is a cost effective choice; it's also easy to get and performs perfectly well in a properly maintained fireplace chimney.
2. To repair or upgrade an already existing chimney, metal chimney liners made of aluminum or stainless steel are the most common choice. The advantages of a metal liner are that it is highly durable and very safe if the installation is done properly.
3. Then there's the cast-in-place liner. This lightweight item is produced from material that looks like cement. Following installation in the chimney, it will provide a seamless, insulated route for the release of all the byproducts of a burning fire. This type of permanent liner makes an older chimney more stable and sturdy, and can be used with any type of fuel.
When replacing their chimney liners, most people nowadays select stainless steel because it's much simpler to install than clay tiles. It's available in either flexible or stiff styles.
Generally, homeowners will want to have a chimney liner installed by professionals. But you can save some money by purchasing a kit which comes complete with detailed installation instructions. The kits usually include all the required accessories and attachments to get the job done.
If you live in an older home with a fireplace, it's essential that you have it professionally inspected to make sure it's up to the current standards of safety. An old chimney that's damaged or improperly lined presents a great danger to the members of your household. And since there are a number of reasonably priced and effective ways to correct the situation, there's really no excuse not to invest in one of these essential fireplace accessories. - 15252
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There's more to a fireplace than just the fire. Learn more about essential fireplace tools and decorative fireplace accessories at Fireplace Tools and Accessories.
