Flue Liner Information

If you have landed on this page it is probably because you either have to replace a current flue liner or you have been advised to install one where one does not currently exist.   So let’s talk about some of the essential things that you are going to want to know.  Is a flue liner essential?   If I need a flue liner what kind should I get?   And of course the question that everyone is concerned with, how much is this baby going to set me back?  

What exactly is a flue liner?  Well basically it is a liner inserted inside of your chimney that runs the length of the chimney.  It is there for two main reasons.  One is safety and the other is to increase the life of your fireplace.  The job of flue liners is to protect the brick of your chimney from the high temperatures and from the build-up of creosote.   It also is in place to protect the home from poisonous carbon monoxide gases and of course to protect from chimney fires. 

A few years ago my in-laws nearly lost their house to a chimney fire.  There were extremely fortunate.  All they ended up with was water damage and having to replace the ceiling over the fireplace.  Chimney fires have become an all too common occurrence.  Over years creosote will build up inside of your chimney flue.  Certain types of wood will have a higher creosote concentration than others.  This creosote can actually catch fire and take your house down with it.   You are faced with two choices if there are high levels of creosote on the inside of your chimney walls.  You can tear down the chimney and build a new one or you can go the cheaper route and have a chimney flue liner installed. 

If you have a very older home you most likely do not have a flue liner unless the previous owner put one in.   Many older homes have chimney flue liners but they were made of clay or terra cotta and as a result they have degraded or cracked over the years.  If this is the case they need to be replaced. 

Do you really need a flue liner?  There are some that would suggest that if you have a brick and mortar fireplace and have it cleaned regularly that you may not need one.  This is assuming that the chimney is in good shape and not in need of tuckpointing.  However, I don’t think that I would take the chance.  If you don’t currently have a flue liner I would consider getting one.  If you have one that is in need of repair or replacing I wouldn’t hesitate. 

What kind of flue liner should you get?  In large part this depends on how much you want to spend.  The cheapest and least time consuming to install would be a stainless steel flue liner.  You can find them in two different types.  For a straight chimney there are rigid stainless steel flue liners.  The real question is whether your chimney is still straight after all these years.  Sometimes getting the rigid flue liner can be difficult to insert into the chimney if it has settled over the years.  If your chimney is less than straight or if it has any bends in it, you can purchase a flexible flue liner.  A stainless steel flue liner is usually good for about 25 years or so.  So if you have one that has been in longer you should consider replacing it. 

If you have decaying clay tile or terracotta flue you can insert the stainless steel flue liner inside of it.  Make sure, however, that you get the largest diameter of flue liner possible to fit inside of your chimney.  This way you will get the best draft possible. 

Of course there are other flue liners that you can purchase.   You can still put in a terracotta flue liner today.  They are more expensive and more difficult to install but they should last about 75 years or so.  So you will have to consider all the factors before buying one.  Many people don’t plan on being in the house that long so they opt for the stainless steel. 

So how much do flue liners cost?  The typical stainless steel flue liner cost in the range of $20 - $40 per foot.  Some sturdier versions can cost even more.    Clay liners can actually cost less than stainless steel flue liners however, the cost to have them installed will cost much more. 

Take all the various factors into consideration and make the choice that is best not only for you safety but for you wallet.