Single wall or dual wall flex liner

[searlest]

Fireplace insert liner choice help please liner will be a 8" and will be ovalized to 5.5 to 6 inches to get through the throat

I do not have ovalizeing machine/roller

Can i find a local shop to do this? or do it myself if I by a liner off of a individual (im pretty crafty with the tools!)

i watched a utube video or two people doing it crudely

Anyway can dual wall flex be ovalized ? Is it better than single wall? 316? 316ti? 320?

 

[searlest]

I hava a chance to buy a Ventinox Hiflex liner right now anyone know about these pretty sure its 316ti

 

[Eaglecraft]

I hava a chance to buy a Ventinox Hiflex liner right now anyone know about these pretty sure its 316ti

Searlest:

I don't know about Ventinox Hiflex, but regarding "ovalizing" your round liner, I think you would have a better liner if you purchase the liner ovalized by the manufacturer. Here's a source: http://www.chimneylinerinc.com/ovalchimneylinerkit.htm.

These SS liners are pretty tough. It would take considerable force to turn a round liner into an oval liner. Can it be done? Sure. But you may be damaging the liner seams in the process - a critical part of the liner. Maybe introduce a crack or a weakness, etc. into the liner that comes back to bite you later on down the road.

Good luck with your install.

 

[searlest]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAIjcN8HqDo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv_C60yNxa0


Dual wall or single wall whats best ?

 

[Eaglecraft]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAIjcN8HqDo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv_C60yNxa0


Dual wall or single wall whats best ?

searlest:

I watched the videos, and they make one wonder.

One thing about "ovalizing" a SS Flex pipe that the videos don't mention. That is, when you the homeowner, or a chimney shop for that matter, "ovalizes" a flex liner, the UL listing of the original liner probably no longer applies. The original UL listing that was obtained by the manufacturer does so under a strict set of test conditions. Unless the manufacturer or the UL people set up testing on an ovalized product, my assumption is that the UL listing no longer applies to the modified product. You might want to check this out with the UL people and/or the chimney shop that ovalizes the pipe in the field. Here's a link: http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/corporate/contactus/. It's worth a phone call to find out the answer.

Could you "ovalize" a double wall pipe? Maybe. Here again, what do you wind up with in terms of a listed pipe?

 

[raybonz]

I hava a chance to buy a Ventinox Hiflex liner right now anyone know about these pretty sure its 316ti

I had a sweep install my Ventinox liner and I think the lifetime warranty is only if installed by a licensed pro.. As a side note the Ventinox liner must be inspected by a licensed sweep annually.. I think it's a good product and the only welded seam S/S liner as far as I know..

http://www.protechinfo.com/Ventinox-HiFlex-c171.html

Ray

 

[double-d]

I've not heard of a Ventinox Hiflex liner, but you want to make sure it is a 316ti liner. A smooth-wall liner is a 2 ply liner, it has to be made that way so the interior can remain smooth. They are a very good liner, but not as flexible as the standard flexible liners. They do claim to have a 20% better draft than the standard flex liners. Because they are not as flexible you should be careful not to try to install them in a flue that has sharp turns. Smooth-wall liners are NOT made to be reshaped, oval, square or rectangle. When this happens the interior ply (smooth-wall) breaks down and is no longer functioning as it was intended. If you need to ovalize a liner to get it through your flue, I would stick with the single ply standard 316ti flex liner.

 

[raybonz]

I've not heard of a Ventinox Hiflex liner, but you want to make sure it is a 316ti liner. A smooth-wall liner is a 2 ply liner, it has to be made that way so the interior can remain smooth. They are a very good liner, but not as flexible as the standard flexible liners. They do claim to have a 20% better draft than the standard flex liners. Because they are not as flexible you should be careful not to try to install them in a flue that has sharp turns. Smooth-wall liners are NOT made to be reshaped, oval, square or rectangle. When this happens the interior ply (smooth-wall) breaks down and is no longer functioning as it was intended. If you need to ovalize a liner to get it through your flue, I would stick with the single ply standard 316ti flex liner.

From the Ventinox site "Ventinox HiFlex is made from titanium stabilized stainless steel, the same material used in aircraft afterburners. The liner is manufactured from a single strip of steel, using a continuous weld and spiral corrugation technique. This patented process produces a highly durable, gas and water tight liner that is stronger than any other flexible liner on the market. Ventinox HiFlex can be radically bent and ovalized without kinking or breaking. Unlike any other liner, it absorbs multi-directional expansion within its corrugations. This eliminates stresses within the system during heating and cooling cycles, making use of expansion joints unnecessary."

Yeah I think it's quite adequate.. If you've ever seen an aircraft afterburn up close as I have you'd understand.. FYI titanium stabilized means 316ti ...

Ray