The 8 Best Chimney Liners
Special Honors
CSIA Is the chimney safety institute of America, and can provide all the necessary information regarding building codes in your locality, along with recommendations on the type of liner needed and certified chimney sweeps who can inspect your property on an annual basis. csia.org
Editor's Notes
February 24, 2021:
Modern homes will often have a cement-based liner installed during construction, however, older buildings with masonry chimneys allow for corrosive byproducts to build up, undermining the structure of the chimney stack and blocking the airway, which can lead to harmful gasses and combustibles not being drawn away, and potentially causing fires. A good quality liner will protect the usable life of the chimney while providing a correctly sized flue for the optimum efficiency of appliances. Choosing the correct type of liner will depend largely on the type of fuel used and the required diameter of such appliances.
For gas fires and stoves, an aluminum option, such as the four-inch AmeriVent Flexible, or the Westaflex 2-Ply should be sufficient, since the heat output isn't as high as with natural fuels, however, regulations may dictate that a suitable insulator be used, for example, the Rockford Chimney Supply Blanket Kit. For true peace of mind, a stainless steel liner has a higher temperature rating and is recommended for use with wood, pellets, or coal. The HY-C ShelterPro, the Forever Vent Smooth Wall, and the Fireside Chimney Supply FireFlex 316Ti are all stainless steel liners that include everything needed for installation. The latter also has a lifetime warranty that can be transferred to the new owners should you sell your property. Finally, the Stove Builder International Vortex is a four-inch option that has been specifically designed for use with pellet stoves and conforms to strict UL and ULC safety requirements.
December 31, 2018:
Selected popular kits with flexible liners from Fireside Chimney Supply, Forever Vent, and Rockford Chimney Supply, all of which can be installed by a competent do-it-yourselfer. Also selected the Fireside Chimney Supply 304L Rigid, which can be tougher to install but is also more resistant to buildup over the long haul, and the Rockford Chimney Supply Blanket Kit, for those who wish to insulate.