RenovationGeorge said:
So is there a true difference other than metal thickness? I mean they have to meet the same standards/code to be considered Class A ...right?
Thanks!
-Emt1581
Is my stove shop trying to rip me off on a class A chimney for a wood stove?
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So is there a true difference other than metal thickness? I mean they have to meet the same standards/code to be considered Class A ...right?
Thanks!
-Emt1581
Hard to say whether you will notice the difference. One might last longer than the other, but then again, maybe not. The real question is, who is going to install this, you or the installer? If it's the installer, I would go with their choice of piping. If Lowes is out of stock on a critical piece, you are sol until it comes in. If there is a problem or you get the wrong part, it is your responsibility. On the other hand, the installer is more likely to have back up parts in case of a defect or change of plans is required due to unforseen installation snafus.
BeGreen said:
The installer said it didn't really matter brand-wise. He just needs the parts and he initially referred me back to the stove shop...that recommended him. However, once I brought up buying the parts elsewhere, he said that was fine.
I see what you're saying about extra parts once installing, and I guess my next question is...are these parts/brands universal? Can I buy a Supervent kit/pipe and then mix in a Duravent piece in a pinch?
Thanks!
-Emt1581
Somebody already pointed out its galvanized vs stainless. Do not mix them. Galvanized can go in 5 years or last 20. Stainless, well it just keeps going. If your short term in the house go with the galvanized. I bet if you point it out to the stove shop the price will drop even more. I would pay 1000-1200 and know I only have to do it once.
burntime said:
I think we clarified that BOTH are stainless according to Lowes site/pics.
-Emt1581
Well I used the Lowes chimney pipe and thimble kit and in my opinion it is good quality and I don't lose any sleep worrying about it,still have a box one piece of chimney pipe came out of and it states ALL STAINLESS CONSTRUCTION,SOLID PACKED WITH PREMIUM FIBRE INSULATION,TWIST LOCK CONNECTION,SAFETY CERTIFIED TO UL 103 HT, and lowes carries the locking bands for around 6 bucks each,and it does a have a shiny finish may not be polised but it is shiny, it is made in Canada and has limited lifetime warranty whatever that means, I am very happy with my supervent chimney,this is just my opinion and hope it helps you in some way, by the way MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY
Hogwildz said:
+1
And this includes all parts of the chimney installation--Class A pipe, connectors, supports, . You cannot and should not mix brands, so keep this in mind when shopping for an alternative.
I nosed around Lowes, and only found a total of six items in this family--pipe, and a couple of generic installation kits. I didn't see any adaptors, elbows, stovepipe, etc. So make sure you can find a source for everything you need, perhaps from various sources, before you go the big-box store route.
Don't get me wrong, I pinch pennies until they scream, but at a certain point it's not worth my time chasing down missing parts for a cheaper solution. When I buy, it will be either from a local supplier who has everything , or an online supplier that has everything, like Northlineexpress.
HTH, and good luck!
emt1581 said:
Absolutely. They all have to pass the same tests, but beyond that, it's up to the manufacturer, just like with cars.
Metal type, wall thickness, insulation type, connector type (how the sections lock together), terminations, adapters, chimney cap, stovepipe, etc, etc, are all different.
Just as with cars, the consumer has to decide which is better quality--or what authority to trust in the matter, and if they are willing to pay for it.
$500 vs. $1500???
That's a lot to pay for the extra 0.004" thichness and "service".
I might go with the local shop if they were a $100 or $200 more. But that extra $1000 sets the pay-off time back another year or so.
Maybe you can talk with the local stove shop and tell them that if they can hustle some pipe together for $800 you'd be willing to go with them.
That's a lot to pay for the extra 0.004" thichness and "service".
I might go with the local shop if they were a $100 or $200 more. But that extra $1000 sets the pay-off time back another year or so.
Maybe you can talk with the local stove shop and tell them that if they can hustle some pipe together for $800 you'd be willing to go with them.
I bought some stainless class a from menards. It was supervent for $61.00/3 foot had plenty of assesories in stock to. I would save the $800.00 or so and go with the cheaper unless your well to do.
I appreciate all the replies. I think what I'm going to do at this point is go to Lowes, make sure they have everything I'll need, double check with the installation guy as to what he will need, then just buy everything and have it ready to go. I can't see spending the extra grand or so at the stove shop.
Thanks!
-Emt1581
Thanks!
-Emt1581
I think most folks here, well some anyway believe you get what you pay for. In my experience, the stove shops sell good quality items, and then there is the big box discount junk. you figure it out. Ive done 6 installs in my life and its all been with metalbestos. I wouldn't even consider the chit Lowe's or home depot pushes. If I can afford a $2500 stove, Im puttin in the best chimney money can buy.
Only a fool would say that stovepipe and class A have to come from the same manufacturer! 
And a pompous one at that!
[message saying that deleted]
And a pompous one at that!
[message saying that deleted]
I'm about 2 days from receiving my supervent materials ordered through Lowes. I delt directly with Selkirk to make sure I had all the correct components. ( The guys at Lowes were nice but they just dont have the knowledge on this stuff) Selkirk even have an on line guide. The customer service and teck were outstanding. Here is their customer service # 1-800-252-8467 and here is their teck service 1-800-848-2149 or 1-800-669-3190.
George mentioned you have to use the same brand for pipe from stove to class a. I dont believe this is true. Even the teck at Selkirk didnt indicate this when I spoke to them about the pipe I was using for my install.
George mentioned you have to use the same brand for pipe from stove to class a. I dont believe this is true. Even the teck at Selkirk didnt indicate this when I spoke to them about the pipe I was using for my install.
I went through this dilema with my local stove dealer and when I mentioned his prices were way higher than Lowes his reply was well that is list price. Now being in the auto repair business I know all about list price. If I were to sell all the parts I sell at list price I would be charging 100 percent mark up on mechanical parts from my local parts supplier. Parts from the dealer have less room for profit but on average my discount through them is 35 percent. So with this in mind I went to Lowes and bought the local box store" junk" chimney and ordered heat fab heavy guage single wall for stove to chimney from an online store at alot less price than the local stove dealer still saved 40 percent on that {shipping was free on orders over $99}. Good luck on your venture.
Hanko, it may not be their most fancy product, but the SuperVent #@*# at Lowe's is made by the same folks who make Metalbestos. A search of the forum shows several installs going back several years. The only complaint I see is weak packaging / shipping damage. Emt, I think your critical issue is not the quality of the pipe but getting all the pieces you need before 2011. Doh!
Den said:
Nope. I can only get $500 back from this. I already put in a heat pump hot water heater that ran me $3K installed...so there's $1000 back right there. I'm just getting the stove now. I don't need the pipe/parts for another month to 6 weeks.
Thanks though!
-Emt1581
emt, It appears you are comparing two products with different construction specs. but with the same UL standards for safety. Two years ago I was faced with the same decision now confronting you. My signature shows the decision I made and continue to be very happy with that decision.
You already know what I am about to say but I will repeat it with respect: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. ;-) John_M
You already know what I am about to say but I will repeat it with respect: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. ;-) John_M
I have to wonder if you are comparing apples to oranges. It does say stainless but I think just the inner liner might be stainless. The outer looks like galvanized to me. I've seen the outer rot out before.emt1581 said:
When I bought my class A, I went with ICC Excel. Having had a chimney fire before and having my parent's home burned to the ground by a chimney fire, the better quality is worth it for me.
(broken link removed to http://www.icc-rsf.com/en/icc/insulated-stainless-steel-chimney)
LLigetfa said:
I don't know if it's apples to oranges either, but the minimal thickness difference seems to be the only difference. The Lowes pipe looks stainless to me...not the dull/patchy galvanized...but the only thing that is going to clear that up is going in person.
-Emt1581
If you can sleep better dismissing the difference in thickness as minimal, and you consider the minimum standard adequate, it is your decision. I even went an extra step and ran radiation shield the full length where it ran through our bedroom closet.emt1581 said:
As for whether or not the exterior is also stainless, bring a magnet with you when you go check it out. It won't stick to quality stainless.
If the cheaper stuff wasn't safe they wouldn't sell it. I'd have no problem sleeping at night with it in my house.
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