The different types of flue liner in Bristol

Flue liners in Bristol – Recommended by Turner Baker

Type of Flue Liner in BristolA flue liner is simply defined as a tube that fits down inside a chimney (or existing flue in an older property). They are available in various materials including stainless steel, pumice, silica polymer and thermosetting resin. Flue liners are a legal requirement for new build properties in accordance with building regulations Document J. So, if you are building a new property that has a chimney that will be used for heating purposes then it must be lined accordingly.

Below is an overview of the different types of flue liners available:

Furanflex chimney liners

One of the newer chimney liners – the Furanflex thermosetting resin lining system. In laymen’s terms, the Furanflex is a liner that is supplied as a soft malleable material that can be installed into a chimney and is then steamed into a hard structure that is extremely heat resistant. The Furanflex liner made its debut in the UK market in 2010 following a range of comprehensive tests to ensure that the product met UK standards. The Furanflex chimney liner range is now certified by BBA (British Board of Agreement see the website here: www.bbacerts.co.uk.

There are a range of benefits when using a Furanflex lining system. The main benefit is that the product is installed as a flexible tube. For properties with chimneys that have many bends in them (and this is certainly the case for older properties), this is an important benefit. The Furnflex flue liner can be installed freestanding and can be moulded to take the existing shape of the chimney. This maximises the cross-sectional area of the flue. With other chimney lining systems having a set shape, this could reduce the size of the flue which in turn affects performance. The Furanflex liner also benefits from its freestanding structure and can, therefore, be removed if required. This makes it a flexible option for heritage properties that have listing restrictions that don’t permit permanent changes to the structure.

The Furanflex lining system comes with a 25-year guarantee. Also, if you were to experience a chimney fire – systems such as stainless steel will need to be replaced before the flue can be used again. Compared to the Furanflex system which is able to withstand extremely high temperatures – and in theory, is much more likely to be able to withstand a chimney fire. However, any chimney flue that has been affected by a chimney fire should always undergo comprehensive inspection prior to being reused.

Stainless steel flue liners

Chimney Flue Lining BristolThe entrance point to chimney and flue linings is made of stainless steel.

Stainless steel linings are available in various formats including a flexible format (to accommodate for bends in the chimney or flue structure) or as a rigid piece. All flexible stainless steel liners are built as one long, individual piece whereas rigid stainless steel liners are supplied in multiple sections which are then slotted together. You can order a flexible stainless steel flue liner from Turner Baker Ltd for either multi-fuel stoves or for gas and oil appliances.

Why choose a Stainless Steel Liner?

Advantages
• 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

Disadvantages
• Short lifespan – many stainless steel liners are only guaranteed for 10 years
• Will not withstand any chimney fire
• Can corrode rapidly with the use of certain fuels
• Easy to damage on installation

Pumice Flue Liners

Chimney Lining BristolA great feature of Isokern Flue Pumice is its ability to provide natural insulation. This special property is what separates all pumice flue liners from the other types of chimney material. The unique insulating properties of Pumice allow the gases within a chimney to rapidly reach optimal temperature thus enabling the heating appliance to reach its optimum performance in a shorter space of time. Having a pumice liner will keep the chimney warmer for longer, as the heat output of the appliance decreases – once again aiding overall heating performance and even reduces the likelihood of condensation and soot build-up.

DM (Double Module)
The Isokern Double Module block system is one of the highest quality chimney systems and is a popular choice in Scandinavia and other parts of Europe. The double wall system helps keep flue gas temperatures high when heating and prevents heat transference to the outer casing. The separation between the inner and outer components of the module allows for thermal movement which reduces the risk of cracking and any subsequent leaking or staining. The double module is relatively simple and can be built quickly. Available in 3 different outer casing sizes, the double modules are suited to new builds and are extremely useful when constructing entirely new flues and chimney stacks.

Pumice Flue Liners
With 17 different sizes of Isokern Flue Liners, they can be used for new builds, extensions and even relining existing chimneys.

For any enquiries regarding flue liners in Bristol please get in touch with our team today on 01173 360470 if you are interested in any of the above chimney liner products.

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