What type of chimney or flue do I have?
When choosing a new fire or stove for your home, it may not be as simple as installing the one you like. Knowing which type of chimney or flue that is available usually dictates your choice of stove or fire. To help you understand which stoves or fires are suitable for your home, please use the information on this page to identify your property’s chimney or flue.
If you have any questions, please get in touch, and we’ll be happy to help.
Conventional Chimneys and Flues
Brick/Stone Chimney (Class 1)
The conventional brick chimney is identifiable by a chimney stack and pot that will be present on the roof of your house.
Pre-fabricated Flues (Class 1 & 2)
Similar to a chimney, you will see a cowl and flue sticking up out of your roof. Some pre-fabricated flues are all metal, whilst others may terminate through a short pot, but without a chimney stack. These flues create the same circulation of heated air as a brick or stone chimney.
Pre-cast Flue (Class 2)
Many modern homes are installed with pre-cast flues, which you can identify by a raised ridge terminal on your roof, made from brick, metal or stone. These flues tend to offer a shallower depth inside the property, so a slimmer fireplace may be your first option. Alternatively, using a spacer kit or creating a deeper rebate into the fireplace can allow for larger fires and stoves to be installed.
Balanced Flue. No chimney required.
Balanced flues create a complete seal between fires and stoves, from the room they are in, to the outside – and this means there are no draughts and heating efficiency is significantly increased. Air for combustion is then simply drawn in through an outer pipe, whilst the inner pipe removes the combustion gases to the exterior of the property. All without the need for a chimney, and making heating in apartments and flats more possible.
Power Flue
Lastly, you may have a power flue that uses a fan situated on an outside wall to expel gases from your fire or stove. Power flues are older, less-efficient systems and we do recommend an upgrade to a balanced flue system, which is draftless and offers a greater and more efficient heat output.
Please note that this information on chimney and flues is provided as a guide only, and we recommend a professional fireplace survey before purchase and installation. Get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.