Unless you are lucky enough to have a pumice lined chimney flue already, it will need a liner. This is not a reflection upon the health of your chimney but because your new stove is so efficient.

Chimney flues were designed for open fires, they burn fuel in such a way that 80% of the heat disappears up the flue, taking most of the particulates and combustion products with it. Stoves work the other way round, up to 80% of your fuel heat comes into the room, so if you plan to burn wood, these combustion products move much more slowly and will condense on the cool inner walls of the flue, forming tar and creosote which is highly flammable and difficult to remove. A stainless steel flexible liner is twin coiled, and keeps the combustion gasses warm so that they are safely expelled without condensing.

The Fire Service tell us that there has been a 5% increase in chimney fires across Oxfordshire, the most common culprit being stoves in unlined chimneys.  

If you plan to burn smokeless fuel exclusively, then it is possible to install your stove without a liner, but we would only do so if we can demonstrate the health of your flue with a full smoke test. See our sweeping pages for more information. 

For your chimney flue a  flexible liner is installed. It is made of stainless steel and is twin walled to insulate the flue gases, and flexible enough to pass through the bends in the chimney. It is completely smooth on the inside so that no combustion particulates will stick. For these reasons it is completely different to a gas liner (usually aluminium) which must be removed before installation, we can take care of this for you.

Flexible liners are available in two different grades depending on what fuel you intend to burn. A standard grade is suitable for wood. Smokeless fuels require a different of stainless steel as the chemicals can destroy a liner suitable only for wood. It is more expensive, but we supply both types.

 Your liner will cover the entire length of your flue and is installed from the top down. This avoids any damage to the liner or flue.

Before installation every liner is personally inspected by ourselves to ensure it is in perfect condition.

For health and safety reasons a scaffold will be required. This enables us to protect your liner, your roof covering, and our staff. It also means we can still install during inclement weather. We can arrange this for you, or you are welcome to employ a scaffolder of your choice.

 A made to measure register plate constructed of galvanised steel is fixed above lintel height, this prevents  debris from your existing chimney dropping down and also reflects the heat from your stove back into the room.

When complete our staff will demonstrate the operation of your stove and provide a data plate and HETAS certificate of Compliance.

An inset stove installation is generally more labour intensive than a free standing stove. Often the chimney breast or exterior wall will need to be opened up to make the necessary connections, but there are a few insets now where this can be done from inside the stove.

 If you would like further information or to book a site survey please contact us.