Stainless Steel Liners — Long-Lasting Liners Approved for All Fuels

Chimney liners are important for a number of reasons – they keep your chimney working efficiently, they ensure a safe passage for smoke to escape, they protect your home from the heat of your fires, and more. In fact, not having a chimney liner can put your household at serious risk. Needless to say, if it’s time to reline your chimney, putting off the service simply isn’t an option.

So, you know you need a new flue liner, but one question we’re often asked is, “Which is the better chimney liner – aluminum or stainless steel?” In most cases, the smartest, most effective, and most economical choice is stainless steel.

Why Purchase a Stainless Steel Chimney Liner?

Before choosing a liner, there are several things you need to consider, like appliance size/type and fuel type. When running through your relining options and considering these important factors, you’ll find that stainless steel is superior because:

Aluminum Liner in shreds laying on the ground.

Aluminum Liner

Chimney flue with lining removed.

Lining Removed – Before

New Stainless Steel Liner after installation.  It is very clean.

Stainless Steel Liner – After

  • Compatible with all fuels. Aluminum liners are very limited in that they’re only approved for certain types of gas appliances, not all. Stainless steel liners, on the other hand, are approved for use with all fuel types, including gas, wood, oil, and pellet. So whether you’re relining the chimney that vents your wood stove, your gas insert, or your oil furnace or boiler, a stainless steel liner can take the heat and byproducts your appliance will throw at it. This also make fuel changes down the line a whole lot easier.
  • Smoother transitions. Aluminum liners cannot be installed in flues that previously vented an oil appliance, so if you’re relining a masonry flue that vented your oil furnace, for example, an aluminum liner isn’t even an option.
  • Stronger and more durable. Aluminum liners are easily damaged during installation, especially if the chimney has an offset or a long run. Stainless steel liners, on the other hand, are strong, and come in both rigid and flexible forms to accommodate any chimney.
  • Longer service life. Aluminum liners don’t have a very long service life, and they can easily become damaged by animals, bad weather, or even the corrosive gases of your fireplace. Stainless steel liners, on the other hand, when professionally installed and maintained, carry a lifetime warranty.

Obviously, relining with stainless steel has its advantages, and here at Lou Curley’s Chimney Service, we’re proud to reline with the best and most durable UL listed chimney liners available. No matter what type of appliance your chimney vents or what type of fuel that appliance burns, we’ll help you select the perfect stainless steel liner for a perfect fit.

How Long Does It Take to Install a Stainless Steel Chimney Liner?

Overall, installing a stainless steel chimney liner is a straightforward process that can be done in under a day (once any prep work and repairs are completed).

  • Prep & Inspection: First there’s the some prep work to be done, which includes a thorough evaluation of your chimney. This allows us to determine the size and shape of your system, so we get the right fit, as well as determines whether there’s any debris or damage that needs to be dealt with ahead of time.
  • Completing Repairs: This is the step that may invite some delays and extend the installation process. If you do need repairs or a thorough sweeping, we’ll need to get that done first. This ensures the best finished results for your chimney.
  • Installing the Liner: Once your flue primed and ready to go, we can lower in the liner. We essentially get everything where it needs to be, then we lower it down, securing it properly in place once all is said and done.

…and just like that, you can get back to your enjoying your fireplace with ease and enjoyment.

Can I Install a New Chimney Liner Myself?

This is definitely a job to leave to the professionals. Because your liner serves such an important purpose, even a minor mishap or misplaced component could have devastating results. We’re talking liner deterioration, masonry decay, leaks and water issues, smoke or dangerous fumes entering your home, inefficient fireplace functioning, and more. This isn’t a component to mess around with, no matter how advanced your at-home DIY skills have become over the years.

A stainless steel liner is a big investment – don’t waste it!

Are There Certain Maintenance Requirements for Stainless Steel Chimney Liners?

Well, the good news about stainless steel chimney liners is that they’re pretty low maintenance. Because stainless steel isn’t prone to corrode and is known for staying strong and durable through even the toughest scenarios, you won’t have to stress much about checking for damage or any of that. Really, as long as you’ve invested in proper and professional installation services, you should be able to use your fireplace time and time again without giving your new chimney liner much thought at all!

That said, this doesn’t mean you can skip out on your annual maintenance services. Booking yearly chimney inspections and sweeps is still vital, no matter how durable your liner is.

In addition, we’ll always advise keeping an eye out for the following signs that could indicate your liner is failing you:

  • You’re spotting visible damage or cracking throughout your chimney.
  • You’re seeing signs of moisture damage (staining, efflorescence, rust, etc.).
  • You’re experiencing smoke in the home or backdrafting.
  • You’re noting some strange, smoky odors coming from your chimney.
  • Creosote is building up fast than is normal based on your burning practices.
  • Your system isn’t venting or functioning as efficiently as it used to.
  • Cracking or popping sounds are coming from the chimney, which could mean the liner is expanding/contracting.

Ready for Your Stainless Steel Liner? Give Us a Call

Ready to learn more about stainless steel liners or schedule an appointment to have your chimney relined with stainless steel? Those of us here at Lou Curley’s Chimney Service have relined thousands of flues throughout Delaware County and the Main Line area. We have the experience, training, and certification to help you choose the right liner, install it properly, and keep it in great condition, year after year.

Give us a call at 610-626-2439 or fill out our online appointment request form to get started!

 

We can take care of all your relining needs, including gas and oil furnace and boiler flues, so just give us a call at 610-626-2439.