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myCost of Chimney Liner
At a glance
- The average cost to install a chimney liner is around £800
- The job will take approximately 1 - 3 days to complete
- A complete pricing breakdown which includes how to tell if your chimney need lining, along with what such a task usually involves
- How long the job should approximately take and a general overview of what kind of jobs can be performed
- How to find and hire a chimney specialist
To line your chimney you can expect to pay between £600-£1000, depending on the type of liner you choose.
So, how can this guide help you?
Discover all you need to know in this ultimate price guide, where we cover all costs included in installing a chimney liner (or flue liner, as it's otherwise known), such as material costs and labour fees.
Looking for a chimney specialist quote?
We have a great selection of chimney specialists ready to give you a quick, free quote for any chimney flue job!
Need some more details?
For all the information about chimney liner costs, check out the guide below!
£800
Table of Contents
How Much Does It Cost To Line a Chimney?
Let's start with what the cost of chimney liners depend on?
Many factors will affect the price a tradesperson will charge for installing or replacing a chimney liner, starting with the size of your chimney. This will significantly impact the cost of installing a chimney lining as you will need to consider the number of materials required to carry out the job.
If hiring a professional, consider the amount of time, it will take the tradesperson to complete the installation. Nearly all tradespeople will charge a daily or hourly rate, so a more extensive job will likely be more costly to carry out as the professional will be working longer on your chimney.
What else will affect the overall costs?
The cost of installing a chimney lining will also be affected by the type of chimney you have. There are many different kinds of fireplaces and chimney vents, some more complex than others - which can affect the costs.
Some of the most common types of chimneys are:
- Masonry chimneys
- Metal chimneys
- Woodburning stove chimneys
How do you know which type of chimney liner you need?
Depending on the type of chimney you have, your tradesperson will advise the best lining material to use. The most commonly used types of chimney linings are:
- Stainless steel flexible liners
- Pumice
- Concrete and clay liners
- Chimney fans and ceramic liners
Each type of chimney liner varies in price, therefore affecting the cost of your installation. A professional tradesperson will inform you of the most suitable liner for your project.
What are the average costs, though?
However, on average, you’ll pay between £600-£1,000 to line a chimney system.
Hi, I was wondering what the durability is like for flexible chimney liners? How many years do they typically last for?
"So there are different grades of liners. So long as ur burning the correct fuels ur liner should last. But frequency moisture incorrect burning can alter all of these. 904 liners ur best ones"
Chimney Liner Installation Prices
The average price of installing a stainless-steel chimney lining in the UK generally starts around £450-£600.
Below is an example of the variations in price between different types of linings and sizes.
| Type of Chimney Liner | Chimney Size (Square Inches) | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless Steel Flexible Liner | 40-50" | £450-£700 |
| Concrete and Clay Liners | 55-80" | £750-£1,000 |
| Pumice and Ceramic Liners | 85-100" | £850-£1,500+ |
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Supply Only Costs
Want to install the chimney liner yourself?
You will want to know the supply costs only, so take a look at the table below:
| Item | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Stainless Steel Flexible Liner | £15-£20 per metre |
| Pumice liner | £12-£18 per liner |
| Clay liner | £30-£40 per liner |
| Liner adapter | £40-£50 |
| Chimney cowl | £20-£40 |
| Twin wall connector | £50-£60 |
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Labour Costs and Time Scales
Next, we're going to look at how much a chimney specialist charges and how long installing a liner will take.
On average, a chimney liner installer will charge between £150 to £250 a day, depending on their experience and knowledge.
The time scale will vary depending on what type of liner is being installed - take a look at the table below:
| Type of liner | Duration |
|---|---|
| Stainless Steel Flexible Liner | 0.5-1 day |
| Concrete and Clay Liners | 2-3 days |
| Pumice and Ceramic Liners | 2-3 days |
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What's Involved in Installing a Chimney Liner?
Installing a chimney liner can be a tedious task and is better left to the professionals to ensure maximum safety and efficiency. Many homeowners will need a chimney liner replaced or installed expertly at some point in their lives, so understanding the process is a crucial part of budgeting for the job.
What is the purpose of a chimney liner?
The primary purpose of a chimney liner is to limit the heat that the fireplace produces from igniting nearby woodwork and other combustible materials.
What can happen if you don't have a chimney liner?
Without one, your home will likely become a fire hazard, putting you and your family members at risk.
An unlined chimney only needs to be operated by an active flame for less than a few hours for it to transmit heat, causing a house fire.
It is always a great idea to have your existing chimney inspected by a professional chimney sweep before hiring someone to carry out the installation of a new liner.
This will help you understand the condition of your fireplace and also clear any blockages from the cavity, giving your tradesperson a clear view of the flue.
So, what will happen first?
When hiring a professional tradesperson to carry out the installation of your new chimney liner, they will first visit your property to assess the scale and complexity of the job.
The tradesperson will then measure the size of your chimney cavity and determine the best< possible materials that are suitable for the installation. On the day of the installation, your tradesperson will prepare the liner by cutting the material to size when necessary.
How is the liner then fitted?
The liner will be inserted through down the chimney cavity through the flue or vent, usually on your rooftop. They'll guide the liner down the chimney until they reach what is known as the thimble, an opening where the fireplace can be connected inside your living space.
Heading inside, your tradesperson will then begin connecting the liner and tee position, followed by securing the attachments to your fireplace or stove.
After the interior side of the installation is complete, your tradesperson will head back outside to the rooftop where they will finish connecting the chimney liner's top plate. The purpose of a top plate is to protect the cavity and prevent any rainwater from entering the flue.
Your professional tradesperson may use a weather-resistant sealing material like silicone to seal the edges around the top plate. Once everything is sealed, and in place, they will trim away the excess liner and proceed to secure the liner's rain cap.
A rain cap is used to strengthen the flue liner and protect the top of the stack from ingesting any rainwater. It also prevents nesting animals from entering the cavity into your home.
How to Know if Your Chimney Needs Lining
Most people will require a chimney lining installed within their home. However, a liner is not always necessary. This all depends on the kind of appliance and chimney inside your property.
For example, if you have an electric or gas fire-suite, a chimney liner is not always necessary. This is due to the fact that these types of fireplaces do not produce enough heat to damage the inside of a masonry chimney.
The average lifespan of a chimney liner varies significantly on the kind of material the liner is made out of. Stainless steel liners typically last between 15 to 20 years, while Clay and Pumice liners can last upwards of 50. Unfortunately, it can be quite challenging to spot the signs of a damaged chimney liner.
However, there are a few subtle ways in which you can identify if you need to replace an existing or damaged chimney liner. Signs of a chimney liner in need of replacement include debris of the liner falling into your fireplace or apparent cracks in the masonry inside of your chimney.
A great way to review the condition of your chimney liner is by regularly having it inspected by a professional chimney sweep. This precaution will defend you against unexpected, hazardous, and challenging situations.
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DIY Replacing a Chimney Liner
Installing a chimney liner, yourself can be both dangerous and expensive. This is a job better left to the professionals for both safe and effective results. Your existing chimney will need to be inspected thoroughly prior to carrying out any installation works.
Only a qualified, experienced professional can determine the condition of your chimney cavity, and it can become extremely dangerous, attempting to inspect these areas yourself. While the install may seem to be reasonably straightforward, a household chimney is one of the most critical fire prevention features in your home and should be cared for and treated by an expert.
Never attempt to carry out the installation of a chimney liner in your home yourself, unless you are a qualified, experienced professional. Another extremely hazardous concern that you must be aware of when dealing with any fireplace installations or repairs is the risk of carbon monoxide exposure.
Carbon monoxide is a silent, invisible, odourless killer that has a disastrous effect on our health. Breathing in carbon monoxide can result in dizziness, headaches, vomiting, nausea, and if levels are high enough, death.
The Different Types of Chimney Liners
There are many different kinds of chimney liners available to suit your needs. We previously covered a few of the most popular materials used, such as Stainless Steel, Pumice, Clay and Ceramic.
Although there are many different styles of line available to choose from. An expert installer will be able to advise you on the best quality materials that will work best with your type of fireplace and your home.
Stainless Steel Flexible Liners
Stainless Steel Flexible Liners or SSFL's are great for re-lining an existing chimney cavity as their flexibility allows them to be moulded to shape. There are two common types of SSFL's, single skin liners and twin skin liners.
Single skin liners are generally used with gas appliances, as the unit transfers less heat. While double or twin skin liners are suitable for use with wood and multi-fuel appliances, thanks to their thicker protective coating.
The average cost of installing an SSFL is around £350-£700, depending on the size, scale and complexity of your fireplace. The average expected lifespan of an SSFL is between 15-20 years.
Pumice, Concrete and Clay Liners
Pumice, Concrete and Clay liners are all made with organic rock substances. This makes them exceptional natural insulators, enabling them to perform at high temperatures. Pumice chimney liners are perfect for use with open fireplaces.
They were first used in Denmark with wood-burning stoves. Clay and concrete chimney liners are required to be used in dry, non-condensing areas for optimum results. Pumice, concrete and clay liners can also be used to effectively re-line an existing chimney.
The average cost of installing a pumice, clay or concrete chimney liner is between £500-£900, depending on the size, scale and complexity of your chimney. The expected lifespan of these liners is estimated to be around 30-50 years.
Gas Flue Block Systems
These specially designed systems have been designed for use with gas fireplace suites. These narrow flue systems have been engineered for fixing to adjacent brickwork.
Under no circumstances should a Gas Flue Block System be used in conjunction with wood-burning stoves or open fires, as they will not be able to withstand those high temperatures.
The average cost of installing a Gas Flue Block System is generally around £300-£650, depending on the scale and complexity of your fireplace. The average lifespan of a gas flue block system is estimated between 15-25 years.
Chimney Fans
A chimney fan is a mechanically engineered device that is intended to resolve chimney draft issues. These devices can be used effectively in partnership with multi-fuel and wood-burning systems, along with many others.
The purpose of the chimney fan is to boost the performance of your heating appliance. For example, a chimney fan can help a wood-burning stove perform better by increasing the airflow to the fireplace and eliminating excess smoke.
Always be sure to read the manufacturers guidelines for the qualifying criteria in which their products may be used. The average cost of installing a chimney fan system is generally between £400-£800 depending on the scale and complexity of your chimney.
The average lifespan of a chimney fan system is approximately upwards of 10 years.
Hiring a Chimney Lining Installer Checklist
Finding a decent chimney liner installer can be a daunting task, so we’ve made it simple with this foolproof checklist:
- Ask for references from prior customers. This will help you decide if they sound professional and respectable.
- Request them to provide proof of previous work that they’ve completed. Viewing their work like this will demonstrate what they’re capable of and if they’re up to the job you have in mind.
- Liability insurance is useful for any trader to have, as it not only protects the trader but their customer from any unwanted accidents and damage costs.
- Check whether a trader is part of an accreditation scheme, such as HETAS.
- Shop around for quotes and find out what is included in the price. Don’t hire the first chimney liner installer you come across.
FAQs
Do I Need A Chimney Liner?
This will depend on the type of heating appliance you have. Most homeowners will require a chimney liner if you don’t already have one. The exception to this is that electric and certain gas fireplaces do not require a chimney liner. For more advice, contact a professional to inspect your chimney and assess your situation.
How Long Will A Chimney Liner Last?
Again, this depends on the material of your chimney liner. The average lifespan of a newly installed chimney liner will vary between 15-50 years, depending on the quality and material of your chimney liner.
Do I Need A Chimney Liner For A Wood-Burning Stove?
Absolutely. Wood-burning stoves produce the highest amount of heat when burning. This makes them prone to igniting combustible materials if the chimney isn’t properly lined. Not only that, but wood-burners generally create a lot of excess smoke, which needs to be adequately filtered out of your home.
How Much Is A Chimney Cap?
Replacing a chimney cap is a relatively inexpensive job. The average cost of replacing a stainless-steel chimney cap varies between £50-£200, depending on the quality of the materials used.
How Much Does It Cost To Install A Stainless-Steel Flexible Liner?
On average, an experienced installer will charge you around £400-£800 to fit a stainless-steel flexible chimney liner in your home. This will depend greatly on the size of the job and the number of materials required. For a more specific answer, contact a local tradesperson today to carry out an inspection of your home and determine what kind of chimney liner you will require.
Sources
https://www.instructables.com/id/Chimney-Liner-Installation-Step-By-Step-Guide/
https://www.gr8fires.co.uk/6-inch-flexi-to-vtec-twin-wall-connector
https://www.snhtradecentre.co.uk/?s=chimney+liner
https://directflues.co.uk/clay-lined-chimney-adapters
