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A lot of laws and local codes govern chimneys, but none of them require that your chimney liner be insulated. But that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be. Doodlebuggers Fireplace, Grill & Outdoor Store of Pensacola, FL, and Destin, FL, would like to share a little about the benefits of insulating your stainless-steel chimney liner and the different ways it can be done.
Chimney liners 101Chimney liners are usually made of stainless steel, clay tiles or a poured-in-place compound. Their purpose is to provide a smooth channel through which to draft smoke and combustion gases while protecting everything outside the liner from intense heat and flames.
The primary value of having your liner insulated is to maintain a warmer environment inside it. Chilly outside temperatures cause chimney flues to cool off. When this happens, warm smoke will have trouble rising efficiently through heavier cold flue air.
A common reason for a flue becoming cold is too much space between the liner and the masonry of the chimney. Additionally, if the chimney stack is particularly tall, it makes for more space in which to collect cooler air.
Regardless of the size of your chimney and the amount of open space, cold weather is going to cool down the interior flue and affect how well it drafts smoke and gases.
There are two effective methods for insulating a chimney liner.
When there’s sufficient space between the liner and the chimney housing, an insulation blanket is usually the method of choice. This type of insulation is made of alkaline earth silicate, which is a high-density material that’s rated for very hot temperatures.
The blanket is wrapped around the liner from top to bottom, creating a strong and efficient layer of insulation. A properly installed insulation blanket is far superior to standard fiberglass insulation, which is more flammable and doesn’t insulate as well.
When there’s very little space to work with around the liner and adding an insulation blanket would be difficult or impractical, vermiculite flue insulation is the solution. Designed with vermiculite and Portland cement, the mixture is poured around a stainless-steel liner and provides very efficient insulation.
You should attempt this project only if you’re familiar with the insulating method and the safety measures that need to be taken when performing any kind of chimney upgrade project.
Because you’re dealing with a home component that involves heat, flames and dangerous combustion gases, it’s critical that the work be done in a way that doesn’t damage or compromise the chimney liner and the masonry surrounding it.
In most cases, it’s best to call in a chimney service company whose technicians are experienced in both types of liner insulation methods and carry full liability coverage.
Another factor to keep in mind is that most homeowner’s insurance policies won’t pay for chimney damage claims when work on the chimney hasn’t been done by licensed professionals.
Call your Florida chimney liner expertsDoodlebuggers specializes in chimney liner insulation projects throughout Pensacola, FL, and Destin, FL. We also provide liner repair services and new liner installations. If you believe your Florida chimney would benefit from having a strong layer of protective insulation, give us a call. You can also reach out by using our simple contact form.
