Do I Need to Insulate My Chimney Liner?
A common question homeowners ask when they need a new chimney liner is, “Do I need to insulate my chimney?” At Chimney Saver Solutions, we recommend purchasing insulation for a stainless-steel replacement chimney liner. The insulation will provide benefits that are too useful to pass up. But, unlike flue liners, insulation is not required. Find out more below.
Benefits of Chimney Liner Insulation
The operation of your fireplace can be maximized if you insulate your chimney liner. A few specifics follow on the benefits of chimney liner insulation:
- With insulation, the chimney flue can heat up more rapidly, which will encourage a stronger draft.
- The flue can heat up to higher temperatures, which further minimizes the chances of having an inadequate draft in your chimney.
- Insulation will help combustion gases stay hot, resulting in less creosote formation in the flue liner.
Types of Chimney Insulation
Fiberglass insulation is not the right kind of insulation for a chimney because it is not rated for very high temperatures. Special insulation materials are required, and they must be suitably non-flammable and heat-resistant. There are two primary types of insulation designed especially for chimney liners, namely, an insulation blanket and a special insulation mix.
An insulation blanket is the most user-friendly type of chimney liner insulation. The blanket is made with an effective insulation material known as alkaline earth silicate. This type of insulation wraps around the chimney liner from top to bottom. This method is not always practical because it adds to the diameter of the chimney liner.
When an insulation blanket won’t fit because of a tight flue, the next option is vermiculite chimney liner insulation. Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that expands when heated. Vermiculite chimney insulation mix is made with vermiculite and Portland cement. About a week after installation, the vermiculite insulation will harden and provide a zero clearance, U.L. listed chimney insulation.
When is Chimney Liner Insulation Recommended?
Not all chimneys need chimney liner insulation, but some can greatly benefit from it. The following are reasons you might choose to insulate your chimney liner:
- If your chimney is on an exposed wall, warming the chimney on especially cold days may be a struggle. This means that the draft may be weak, and toxic combustion gases could enter your home.
- If the diameter of your chimney is significantly larger than your flue liner, insulation may be required to keep the flue sufficiently warm. This situation often occurs when a large, open fireplace is converted and a smaller, efficient stove is installed.
- If your chimney stack is too tall to maintain warm temperatures all the way to the top, chimney liner insulation will help.
Contact the Chimney Pros for the Installation of Chimney Liner Insulation
Our technicians at Chimney Saver Solutions are CSIA-certified and capable of providing all the chimney services you need for optimal chimney operation. We have the answers to any of your questions about your fireplace and chimney system. Feel free to contact us if the above information doesn’t satisfactorily answer the question, “Do I need to insulate my chimney liner?” We can also help by providing chimney inspections, new fireplace installation, masonry rebuilds, chimney crown repair, chimney flue liner replacement, chimney cap installation, and much more.
Contact us today for chimney maintenance and repairs or for a new fireplace. There is no better time than summertime to schedule chimney repairs. Call or fill out our online form.
