Chimney Birmingham

Some of the Different Types of Chimney Liner Available

If you want to use your chimney with an open fire, gas fire or a wood burning stove you need to have your chimney lined. This applies to 2 situations:

• If you are building a new property with a chimney it must be lined to comply with Document J of current Building Regulations.
• For older properties, there are many safety benefits to be gained from having a chimney lined.

The most important thing to remember is that the smoke from your open fire or multi-fuel stove or wood burner needs to exit via the flue quickly and as smoothly as possible. When a chimney is constructed of brick, the bricks may degrade and crumble over time due to natural weathering. It is also likely that the mortar in between the bricks will degrade as well.  

Any sign of degradation of the internal brickwork means that the chimney must be lined. This is because the flue may leak smoke into other rooms in the property and to allow smoke to travel most efficiently through a smooth flue. Any lumps and bumps caused by the uneven bricks or other blockages on the way up through the flue will slow down the flow of the smoke. It will then cool and leave deposits on the side of the flue which will increase the likelihood of a build and increase the risk of a chimney fire.  

The internal condition of your chimney may look fine to the untrained eye but if you are planning to install a fire or stove and use it regularly, then this will have the effect of speeding up the degradation of the brickwork on the inside of the chimney. This is due to the heating and cooling of the bricks whilst the fire or stove is being used.  

 

What are my Chimney Lining Options?

There are many different types of liner on the market made with lots of alternative materials.  The main differences between the liners can be simplified into three variables – durability, longevity and price.

Furanflex

A relative newcomer to the market, after being introduced in 2010, is the Furanflex thermosetting resin lining system.  In layman’s terms, this refers to a liner that is supplied as a soft malleable material which can be inserted into a chimney Birmingham and which is then steamed or ‘cured’ into a hardened structure that is resistant to heat and high temperatures. It has been through a rigorous testing programme to ensure that the product met UK standards. Also, it has been certified by BBA (British Board of Agreement see the website here).

Furanflex comes in two different formats – the Furanflex Black has been tested to 400 degrees Celsius and is suitable for all Decorative Fuel Effect type gas fires, gas and oil heating boilers – especially high efficiency and condensing applications, ductwork, pipes and re-sleeving applications.

Furanflex RWV has been tested to 1000 degrees Celsius and is suitable for solid fuel appliances and solid fuel open fires.

Benefits of a Furanflex Liner

 

• It is installed in a flexible tube.  For properties with chimneys that have bends in them – and this is certainly the case for a lot of older properties – this is a great benefit.  
• The liner can be installed free-standing and it can mould to take the existing shape of the chimney which maximises the cross-sectional area of the flue. Other lining systems are a set shape and may reduce the size of the flue which in turn may affect performance.
• The Furanflex liner does not adhere itself to the chimney and can, therefore, be easily removed if and when necessary. This makes it perfect for heritage properties that have listing restrictions which won’t allow for permanent changes to the structure.
• The Furanflex lining system is guaranteed for 25 years.  In the event of a chimney fire, systems such as stainless steel will need to be replaced before a flue can be used again, whereas the Furanflex system is able to withstand very high temperatures. This means that it should be able to withstand a chimney fire.  However, we do advise that any flue that has suffered from a chimney fire, it should always be inspected along its length before being reused.
•  It is available in a range of different diameters and lengths which makes it flexible to install. It can be a solution for most types of chimney.

Downsides of a Furanflex Liner

• It is slightly more expensive than other options available. However the 25-year guarantee gives the product a much longer lifespan than some other chimney lining systems, particularly stainless steel liners.
• It can only be installed by chimney Birmingham professionals who have been trained to use the system and have the specialist equipment required to be able to install it.  This means that if you are a self-builder looking for a low-cost solution that you can install yourself then the Furanflex system is not for you.

 

Take a look at this video that shows a Furanflex installation, please click through the Furanflex page on the Turner Baker website here.

The team at Turner Baker have all been trained to carry out Furanflex installations. We have been successfully installed them in residential properties, schools and businesses for the past five years.  

Stainless Steel Chimney Liners

The entry point into a chimney Birmingham and flue linings is stainless steel.  There are a variety of different grades and ratings of stainless steel so it is worth taking the advice of an expert to get the right product for your chimney and property.  

Stainless steel are available in either a flexible format (to accommodate bends in the chimney or flue) or as rigid pieces. Flexible stainless steel liners are supplied as one long piece whereas rigid stainless steel is supplied in sections which are slotted together.

Flexible stainless steel flue liners are available from Turner Baker Ltd for either multi-fuel stoves or for gas and oil appliances.

• Flexible Stainless Steel Flue Liners
  • Multi-Fuel flue liners (Class 1) are available in two basic grades of stainless steel. The standard product is Grade 316 which comes with a 10-year product guarantee, and the higher quality grade 904L comes with a 20-year product guarantee.
  • The corrugated outer wall provides crush protection during installation. The inner wall is smooth to encourage the flow of flue gasses and to discourage the build-up of soot and other potentially corrosive residues.
  • Gas and oil flexible flue liners (Class 2) however are manufactured out of a single strip 316-grade stainless steel and are designed for atmospheric gas and kerosene appliances where the flue gas temperature does not exceed 260°C. These liners are not suitable for use with solid fuel.
  • Flexible flue liners are available in a comprehensive range of diameters suiting all applications, from 100mm to 350mm.
• Twin Wall Rigid Stainless Steel Flue Systems
  • Twin Wall Flue Systems are modular insulated flue and chimney Birmingham systems that can be used either internally or externally. Turner Baker Ltd can supply systems for a range of applications:
    • High and low-temperature
    • Positive and negative pressure
    • Condensing appliances.
    • Solid Fuel, such as Biomass
    • Gas and Oil Appliances
  • The liner units are constructed using a stainless steel inner liner, which has at least 25mm of insulation. It is then surrounded by a structural outer skin. The units are then retained in place using locking bands and braced to adjoining structures by using wall bands. The flue can then be constructed either externally or internally through the property or building or can be free standing.

Turner Baker Ltd are able to supply and install stainless steel flue products or, in consultation with yourself and the property owner, put together a full flue kit for self-installation.

The Positives and Negatives of Stainless Steel Liners

Positives

• Relatively inexpensive
• Can be installed as  a freestanding unit either on the inside or outside of a property
• Can be used to refurbish existing flues

Negatives

• Short lifespan – many stainless steel liners are only guaranteed to last for 10 years
• Does not withstand a chimney fire
• Can corrode rapidly with the use of certain fuels
• Easy to damage upon installation

There are many different types of chimney Birmingham and flue lining available to suit both residential and commercial purposes. If you would like to discuss your requirements further please call Turner Baker Ltd on 01432 839123 to talk to a specialist who will be able to advise on which products will work for your situation.  We can put together a kit list of items required, and construct a quote for those items that you need.

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