When it comes to fireplace accessories, the most critical one for the safety of your health and home is the chimney liner. Extreme temperatures and toxic gases are produced when you light a fire in a gas or wood burning fireplace. These combustion products can cause great damage to the fireplace and chimney, and might even cause illness.
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.
Tests have shown that a chimney without a liner is a potential hazard. In America, houses built later than 1940 that have a fireplace are required to have a chimney liner in good condition, unbroken with no cracks.
There are three basic kinds of chimney liner:
1. Clay tiles are the material traditionally used in chimney liners. 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.
These days, homeowners who are putting in a new chimney liner frequently choose stainless steel over clay tiles since it's easier to install. It comes in two types: stiff or flexible.
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 your older home has a fireplace, it's critical to get it checked out by a professional to be certain it meets safety requirements. A damaged chimney can be a serious household hazard, particularly if the liner is not installed correctly. And so there's no good reason to avoid installing this critical fireplace accessory, especially since there are so many simple, cost effective means of addressing the problem. - 15359
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.
Tests have shown that a chimney without a liner is a potential hazard. In America, houses built later than 1940 that have a fireplace are required to have a chimney liner in good condition, unbroken with no cracks.
There are three basic kinds of chimney liner:
1. Clay tiles are the material traditionally used in chimney liners. 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.
These days, homeowners who are putting in a new chimney liner frequently choose stainless steel over clay tiles since it's easier to install. It comes in two types: stiff or flexible.
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 your older home has a fireplace, it's critical to get it checked out by a professional to be certain it meets safety requirements. A damaged chimney can be a serious household hazard, particularly if the liner is not installed correctly. And so there's no good reason to avoid installing this critical fireplace accessory, especially since there are so many simple, cost effective means of addressing the problem. - 15359
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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.