Liner help. Rigid or Flex?

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matty180

New Member
Dec 26, 2008
20
NY
I have a 22ft exterior masonary chimney. It is a straight shot with 10in. by 10in. inside diameter terracotta tile. I was looking for a insulated liner. The liner only has to be a 6 inch so I should have plenty of room. Does the rigid draft and clean better compared to the flex? I have looked at the simpson dura liner and magnaflex's insulflex liner. I think the rigid is more expensive but don't mind spending the extra money if it is worth it. Anybody have any thoughts?
Thanks Matt
 
Both of my liners are flex but if insulated rigid would have fit I would have done it in a heartbeat. If nothing else but for the ease of cleaning. It probably drafts better without the corrugations also.

Do the rigid.
 
Second vote for rigid if there's room.. Smooth and solid. It has a longer lifespan, tougher and is easier to clean.
 
Thanks for the replies. So far it looks like rigid is the way to go. Is there any other brands that are good for rigid besides the simpson dura liner.

matt
 
Personally I would go with flex. If you want a well drafting easy cleaning liner try Simpson FasNSmooth liner. Straightens right out and has a smooth inner wall so it drafts well and is easy to clean. Wrap in insulation and drop it in and you're done.

Just my opinion on the matter.
 
Hi -

I went rigid and it's a breeze. I pop riveted the sections together (SS rivets) so I had 2 sub-assemblies. Then eased the first section down, riveted the second on, and finished. I added a 1/4 insulated wrap and it drafts well. Cleaning is a breeze. I get about a cup of fly ash out in the Spring.

ATB,
Mike
 
I would have gone rigid if I could have. Had to fight it through as it was...
 
I had a similar setup (but shorter than yours) and went with the Insulflex. Did this mainly because of ease, as even though it was a straight shot it needed a bit of flexibility for where it comes through the damper (which was cut out) and smoke shelf area and then forward to the stove opening. Was just not sure how to do that if I used rigid and getting a kit was easier. Very happy with the Insulflex install, but jury is still out on whether it is totally past all inspections. I feel it is quite safe but the inspections as to "zero clearance liner" that can touch the inside of the chimney have not been demonstrated. The inspections noted are for the inner SS liner. Just full disclosure there as to things that have come up. Hoping the manufacturer is working on that.
 
tickbitty said:
I had a similar setup (but shorter than yours) and went with the Insulflex. Did this mainly because of ease, as even though it was a straight shot it needed a bit of flexibility for where it comes through the damper (which was cut out) and smoke shelf area and then forward to the stove opening. Was just not sure how to do that if I used rigid and getting a kit was easier. Very happy with the Insulflex install, but jury is still out on whether it is totally past all inspections. I feel it is quite safe but the inspections as to "zero clearance liner" that can touch the inside of the chimney have not been demonstrated. The inspections noted are for the inner SS liner. Just full disclosure there as to things that have come up. Hoping the manufacturer is working on that.

Mine is a rigid liner from the top to just above the damper, then it transitions to flex a short distance to the "T" at the stove. Its easy to clean except at the bend in the flex - it's tuff to pull the steel brush through at that point but I think its worth it to have the rigid.
 
Rigid here, from top to the first flue tile, then flex to the insert.
I love the rigid, easy to clean, solid, pre insulated. Not too bad to install. Installed myself, alone.
I would go rigid any chance its feasible.
 
Sorry I didn't respond earlier. I was busy at work. I don't have a damper to worry about since it was on the top of the chimney. So mine is straight through. One thing that I am worried about is that I think my chimney is out of level like 2 or 3 inches. It has pulled from my house a little so by the time I get the liner down I don't know if the tee will sit level. I have to get the laser out and see how out of plumb the flue is but if I have a ID of 10" and the dura liner is 6 5/8" I think I should have plenty of room. Any body have any experience with the dura liner.
Thanks for all the respones.

matt
 
matty180 said:
Sorry I didn't respond earlier. I was busy at work. I don't have a damper to worry about since it was on the top of the chimney. So mine is straight through. One thing that I am worried about is that I think my chimney is out of level like 2 or 3 inches. It has pulled from my house a little so by the time I get the liner down I don't know if the tee will sit level. I have to get the laser out and see how out of plumb the flue is but if I have a ID of 10" and the dura liner is 6 5/8" I think I should have plenty of room. Any body have any experience with the dura liner.
Thanks for all the respones.

matt

DuraLiner used here. I am happy with it.
If that chimney pulled 3" away, I'd be fixing that before doing anything else.
Last thing you want is to install the new liner and have the chimney fall away taking the new liner with it, and most likely trashing the new liner.
 
No, probably more like 1.5 inches. It is definitly not going anywhere for a least 20 years. If it does i'll just rebuild it.
 
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