Block off plate or just insulate?

[CheaperthanYou]

Quick question, with I am sure a million answers. I'm I takin a century insert with 6" SS flex liner In my levitt Ranch. Internal chimney central to the house.

I was wondering if a full metal block of plate is necessary, or could I just stuff insulation in he lower half. Like is the metal necessary, or could I use a metal mesh to keep the insulation up.


The top will be sealed to the masonary with a stainless cap as well

Thanks

 

[begreen]

You will probably be ok without a block off plate on an interior chimney as long as there is a full liner. Stuff the top as well as the bottom with roxul or kaowool.

 

[Sons924]

I just used roxul insulation. I put it up on the heatilator damper shelf. Now my insert actually heats my house.

 

[Hogwildz]

The insulation will work, but won't stop air flow like a plate will.

 

[CheaperthanYou]

So at least a thin metal is needed to stop airflow

 

[Oregon aloha]

And keep fibers from coming into your house to be carried in the air like dust.

 

[USMC80]

I just used roxul, thing blasts out the heat. Pack it in good

 

[mellow]

If this is an insert that has a surround then a metal block off plate is not needed.

 

[Jags]

An actual metal plate isn't needed, but it does give it a more permanent install. With as easy as light gauge tin works, I would work one up and get it in place and then seal around it.

Ya ever see 10 year old insulation that somebody shoved into a corner (or whatever). It always seems to get funky and ratty. Just my pref for a life time solution.

 

[Hogwildz]

Unless you seal the surround to the surface behind it, relying on the surround is useless.
For what a block off plate costs, vs. the benefits, many here use one.
As with all advice, take some with a grain of salt.
Not all advice even on here is always the best advice.

 

[Craig S.]

Roxul is all I used in a similar install (insert with surround, and plate at top of chimney).
I've seen a similar install with insulation at the top of the chimney as well.

 

[willoweep]

Quick question, with I am sure a million answers. I'm I takin a century insert with 6" SS flex liner In my levitt Ranch. Internal chimney central to the house.

I was wondering if a full metal block of plate is necessary, or could I just stuff insulation in he lower half. Like is the metal necessary, or could I use a metal mesh to keep the insulation up.


The top will be sealed to the masonary with a stainless cap as well

Thanks

Stuff the top of the flue around the liner with ceramic wool or equivalent. Much easier to do, and it keeps cold air from coming down around top plate when stove is not in use.

 

[jeffesonm]

I just jammed a bunch of Roxul up there.

 

[Dix]

No block off plate, no insulation, capped & sealed at the top, center chimney. Not quite a Levittown layout, but similar (unless you have been added onto, my Uncle had a Levitt house with a center chimney).

House stays toasty even when it's bitter cold outside.

YMMV

 

[Sons924]

No block off plate, no insulation, capped & sealed at the top, center chimney. Not quite a Levittown layout, but similar (unless you have been added onto, my Uncle had a Levitt house with a center chimney).

House stays toasty even when it's bitter cold outside.

YMMV

I thought my house was toasty until I put the roxul in. Then it was actually hot.

 

[Dix]

I've been thinking about this since I posted.... the chimneys are getting cleaned this weekend. Not to hijack, but as I can't remove the insert myself, would it be Ok to put some roxul up around the top of the liner only?

 

[mellow]

It would be a start. A better than nothing kinda thing. But if you can I would see what they would charge to put it in your damper as well.

 

[Dix]

It would be a start. A better than nothing kinda thing. But if you can I would see what they would charge to put it in your damper as well.

DYI annual preseason cleaning.

 

[Ansky]

I had the same question as you last year. i decided to go with the plate and am glad i did. Here's a thread that I posted about the subject, and towards the bottom of the thread are pics of the install. It was pretty easy to do. Hope it helps.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/is-a-block-off-plate-beneficial-with-an-insulated-liner.107281/

 

[CheaperthanYou]

thanks I went with both, loving it

 

[Excavator]

After I opened up damper frame and removed few fire brick I installed 8 inch liner and insulation then fabbed up my own block off plate using fire board from lowes. I made to brackets that hang on remainder of frame and then bolted up board using toggle bolts.