What is a Flue Liner? Do you need one?

There is a lot that goes into installing a stove – once you have chosen your favourite style, you’ve then got to make sure you have all the parts in the right places!

Flue liners for wood burners and multi fuel stoves are one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. They are responsible for making sure you can burn your fuel effectively and safely. But you may be wondering exactly what a flue liner is and if you really need one at all.

A flue liner is just what it sounds like! Also often referred to as a chimney liner, a flue liner is a flexible tube that is connected to your stove pipe to line the inside of your chimney. It runs up the entire length of your chimney, carrying the fumes up your flue liner instead of releasing them straight into your chimney cavity.

If you are using your chimney for the first time, you should have it inspected by a professional – this is to ensure it is operating safely, with no leaks or blockages. A qualified chimney sweep or stove installer will be able to tell you whether your chimney is lined, and if your liner is in good enough condition to use.

What is the purpose of a flue liner?

The main purpose of a flue liner is to:

1. Increase efficiency
2. Help keep your chimney clean
3. Improve safety

Of course, these three reasons are all very much connected!

Old unlined chimneys are generally cold, since they lack insulation. This makes it harder for the hot smoke to rise, so it will often condense before it reaches the top of flue. This can lead to water vapour forming – which can lead to damp – along with heavier smoke being produced.

The more excessive smoke will dirty your chimney walls in the form of creosote. Creosote is incredibly hard to remove, so as it builds up it can create blockages.

This can become a safety issue. Blockages are a very common cause of chimney fires. A lined chimney also helps protect you from carbon monoxide leaks. If any cracks form in your chimney that you are unaware of, dangerous fumes can leak out. A flue liner offers increased protection against this happening.

While not mandatory, flue liners are highly recommended by most stove installers, and for good reason.

Along with offering improved safety, cleanliness, and efficiency, one of the main benefits of fitting your stove with a flue liner is also better performance. Pretty much all stoves perform better with the help of a flue liner – you will experience less issues with draw, drafts, lighting your fire and keeping a good burn going.

So, while you can install a log burner without a flue liner, it is best not to. A flue liner will serve you well in the long run by protecting your chimney and saving you money from repairs that may result from not using one.

What type of flue liner do I need?

Back in the 1960s, chimneys were lined with clay. Today, most chimneys are being lined with flexible steel liners. For a solid fuel burning stove, make sure you choose the right type – don’t use one intended for a gas fire or stove, as it won’t be safe.

There are two different grades of flexible flue liner:

316 grade – this is cheaper but fine to use if you are burning seasoned wood only

904 grade – more expensive but also more durable. You should use this grade if you plan on burning coal frequently

What if I don’t have an existing chimney and want to install a stove?

A twin wall flue pipe should be used when you don’t have any existing chimney stack to connect your appliance to. Twin wall flues can be used when installing a stove in garden buildings, conservatories and even house boats.

At Flue Supplies, we supply all the parts you need to fit your wood burner or multi fuel stove safely. Take a look at our flexible flue liners and twin wall insulated flue system. We also supply Gas/Oil Fuel liners which are approved for use with natural gas fires, 28 sec oil appliances, condensing boilers and positive pressure boiler. 

If you need any help or technical advice to find the right products for your specific requirements, please don’t hesitate to call us on 0344 800 6586 Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, and our friendly sales team will be happy to help.