Chimney Material ???

Gravel Road · Post by **Gravel Road** » Sat. Feb. 28, 2015 5:11 pm

Hello,

1st post.

We are starting to build our last house/retirement house. Small house, earth bermed, high thermal mass, metal roof and very simple.

We are going with a Hitzer 3095 as our primary heat with propane back up.

I have talked with three chimney contractors, both well recommended...I got some very different advice from each one:

1st guy... He heard coal and said stainless steel triple wall is the way to go, no reason to consider clay lined masonry at all.

2nd guy...He heard coal and said clay lined masonry only, stainless will rot in a year or two.

3rd guy...He heard coal and said it doesn't matter, no issue either way, but the stainless would probably only last 8 to 10 years, need to keep an eye on the stainless.

Want to do this right...and be safe...Stainless is quick to do and that is attractive while building a house.

Based on what little I know...sounds like the 3rd guy is in the ball park...is stainless okay/safe? and how long should it last?

Thanks

smokerdude · Post by **smokerdude** » Sat. Feb. 28, 2015 5:13 pm

If you're building a new house then put up a masonry chimney. No brainer there

Post by **ONEDOLLAR** » Sat. Feb. 28, 2015 5:15 pm

WELCOME TO NEPA!!

Some have issues with SS Chimneys. Others don't. I think ALOT depends on how much moisture gets into the chimney. Coal ash and moisture is a corrosive mix. I would suggest spending the extra and get a clay lined masonry chimney installed. Hope this helps.

grumpy · Post by **grumpy** » Sat. Feb. 28, 2015 5:15 pm

2nd guy...He heard coal and said clay lined masonry only, stainless will rot in a year or two.

Clay, sleep well at night and never look back. There is nothing better, Period..

Gravel Road · Post by **Gravel Road** » Sat. Feb. 28, 2015 5:27 pm

Does it matter what product to go with ... when we are going up through the center of the house with the penetration at the peek?

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Sat. Feb. 28, 2015 5:45 pm

What do you mean--"what product" block & tile is the ONLY way w/ new construction:)

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Sat. Feb. 28, 2015 5:46 pm

PS--the 2nd guy has coal knowledge--It DOES matter

coalkirk · Post by **coalkirk** » Sat. Feb. 28, 2015 5:59 pm

Definately guy #2.

Post by **coaledsweat** » Sat. Feb. 28, 2015 6:05 pm

Gravel Road wrote:Does it matter what product to go with ... when we are going up through the center of the house with the penetration at the peek?

This is the best way to go. The heat the chimney gives off remains in the home and the house insulating it from the cold improves draft. Masonry is the way to go, it will last the life of the home.

Gravel Road · Post by **Gravel Road** » Sat. Feb. 28, 2015 6:26 pm

Okay then...that was quick...masonry with a clay liner....metal would have been so much easier/quicker.

Just hate the idea of moving/lifting those square chimney blocks up to a height of 24 ft...kind of old for that...not looking to pay a younger person to do it...better to plan for it now...thank you.

tikigeorge · Post by **tikigeorge** » Sat. Feb. 28, 2015 6:48 pm

My vote is block and clay liner. Done once and forget it.
It's more work but will last your life time, and more.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Sat. Feb. 28, 2015 6:53 pm

Kinda like sex GR. --easier/quicker never seems to have any longevity

Gravel Road wrote:Okay then...that was quick...masonry with a clay liner....metal would have been so much easier/quicker.

Just hate the idea of moving/lifting those square chimney blocks up to a height of 24 ft...kind of old for that...not looking to pay a younger person to do it...better to plan for it now...thank you.

hotblast1357 · Post by **hotblast1357** » Sat. Feb. 28, 2015 6:54 pm

Just remember you will only put that block up there once, the pipe, might be every 5 years who knows, and those 3 ft sections can be heavy. I have 3 block chimneys clay lined,since 1971, there are only cracks where the thimble enters, which was done at installation, and the top tiles have small cracks, but those don't matter cuz there outside, and you can buy the tiles with the holes in them already

grumpy · Post by **grumpy** » Sat. Feb. 28, 2015 7:12 pm

I would also say use round tile, it will draft better and it fits together like Lego , one inside the other..

coalder · Post by **coalder** » Sat. Feb. 28, 2015 7:17 pm

Well GR, 1 outa 3 ain't bad. Been doing masonry for nearly 40 years; and now burning coal. After 40 yrs of wood. DEFINITELY do masonry chimney!! Two of the other "masons" are absolutely clueless!! If you look around they do make two piece chimney blocks About 45# each vs 90 # single block. Sorry don't know exactly what they are called; just being over 60, use them all the time now. Good luck.
Jim