Do I need a chimney liner for a wood burning stove?

What a chimney liner actually does

A flexible stainless liner gives the stove a sealed, correctly sized route for the smoke from the appliance right up to the pot. That improves the draw so the fire lights easily and burns cleanly, reduces the build-up of soot and tar, protects the chimney structure from heat and acidic gases, and makes future sweeping much easier.

When you need one, and when you might not

Most older chimneys are far larger than a modern stove needs, which weakens the draw and lets gases cool and condense. Damage, old parging, or a chimney that has never taken a stove before all point to lining. A sound, correctly sized chimney in good condition can sometimes be used without a liner, but that is the exception rather than the rule.

We inspect the chimney on the home survey and tell you straight what it needs. We will never line a chimney that does not need it.

316 grade or 904 grade?

A 316 grade stainless liner is the common choice for mainly burning wood. It is durable, corrosion resistant and cost effective, and it suits most homes used under normal conditions.

A 904 grade liner is a higher specification steel with far greater resistance to the acidic condensates and higher temperatures you get from heavy use or a mix of wood and smokeless fuels. It costs more up front but lasts longer, so it is the better long-term choice if the stove is your main heat source.

Common questions