Which chimney is better?

[MrEd]

To setup my tarm, I need to add a new SS chimney.

I found this link which helps with the pricing..

(broken link removed)

which chimney style would you prefer and why? I like the outside the wall setup personally, for ease of installation (no hole in roof), but suspect the thru/inside the attic may draft better. Cost is likely similar so not really a factor.

Besides the link I have provided, any suggestions on where to buy? and other do's and don'ts and "wished I had" suggestions?

 

[free75degrees]

I recently had to make a similar decision. Going outside would have been nice so I would not have to box in the chimney in the corner of my family room. However, I decided to go inside to be on the safe side with the better draft. I shopped around a bit and ended up getting a Selkirk Metalbestos online from www.unifireusa.com. I spent maybe a half hour looking at prices at various online shops and they had the best prices I could find, by a considerable margin. I still have not yet installed the chimney - that is the next project after I finish building my tank, probably this weekend.

 

[free75degrees]

I just did a price comparison...

Duratech 48" x 8" from chimneylinerdepot: $214
Selkirk 48" x 8" from unifireusa: $127

I bought all the parts I need for a chimney about 20 feet tall with a T at the bottom, cap, flashing, etc for about $1300

 

[MrEd]

How is the quality and track record of that company? I never heard of them before.. I don't mind saving money as long as the quality and track record is there too.

 

[free75degrees]

I was told that Selkirk makes good products. I have received the parts and they all appear to be constructed well. Maybe some other folks can provide some first hand experience...

 

[stoveguy13]

selkirk makes a very nice chimney. it is always better to put the chimney inside the house if you can from a draft stand point eaiser to keep the gases warm

 

[heaterman]

I've sold Selkirk products for 25 years. They have always made a very good quality product and I can't ever recall having any kind of a failure or issue with them. BTW, you made the right choice by installing the chimney inside. Just remember to burn dry wood. Chimney fires are no fun regardless of the type of chimney you have.

 

[Redox]

Selkirk invented the insulated chimney back in 1933 and has been at the forefront of the art ever since. My sources told me there was nothing better out there. I put one in through the house for the new Quad and have never had such good draft. It's worth the trouble to have to box it in, IMHO. That price jibes with what I paid, and I bought it wholesale from the distributor. Good find!

Chris

 

[MrEd]

I spoke with the Tarm folks yesterday, and the sales rep told me that when using a SS double/triple wall chimney, inside the house versus outside was not a big deal. Do you folks disagree? My install will be a lot easier thru the wall rather than thru the roof, but I don't want to sacrifice performance.

Also, is draft site-dependent? ie. vary by where you live and the local terrain etc? Can the exact same chimney work differently for people living in different areas?

I have a masonry outside-the-house chimney, with a 6" non-insulated SS liner for the woodstove...draft is excellent. Lots of fields, wide-open spaces around my house, and we are at about 1400' elevation - wondering if that helps my draft?

 

[stoveguy13]

Yes i would dissagree with who ever said that it did not make a diffrences as the chimney inside the house stays warmer and will work better

 

[free75degrees]

It may be possible to get adequate draft with a chimney outside, but i don't know how you would find out without actually installing it and trying. In my case I didn't want to risk doing that then having to move it so I am putting it inside.

 

[ssupercoolss]

(broken link removed to http://www.fireplace-chimneystore.com/page/page/5030452.htm)

dura tech is a little cheaper here.....but it really comes down to what it cost when its delivered to your door. shipping can really vary from company to company.

 

[canyon]

Sorry to dispute prior posts but Selkirk Metalbestos is NOT the best stuff out there. Check out Excel by ICC in Canada. Excel is designed to allow it to go through repeated chimney fires without damage. First off the Excel is insulated with blanket insulation as opposed to pressure packed industrial slag waste (thats what metalbestos innards look like to me). The issue is that the metalbestos stuff settles over time and you end up with an uninsulated area at top that is cooler and forms creosote. When you have a stack fire those areas are prone to superheating and blowing out. On metalbestos the inner and outer liners are connected with end caps which creates problems as the caps conduct heat from the inside to outside and do not allow the inner and outer liners to expand/contract separately. The Excel only has three little tabs connecting the inner/outer. Also, Excel is continuous seam welded instead of crimped.

I know there is at least another manufacturer that has a blanket insulation instead of packed but the name eludes me at the moment.

Do some research for yourself and I think you'll find that the cheaper metalbestos is the lesser value and Not the safer choice!