Chimney Structures

Masonry Structures

• Masonry chimneys are probably the most popular type of chimney structure. Masonry chimneys are part of the structure of a house and are typically constructed from stone or brick, with a flue liner made from concrete liner, clay or pumice. The gap between the liner and the masonry brickwork is filled with a concrete backfill to improve insulation.

Manufactured/ Factory-Made Chimneys

• Manufactured chimneys are constructed separately from a house itself, usually in a construction factory. The chimneys are then transported to homes to be assembled and fitted to rooftops. Factory-made chimneys are usually constructed from metals such as insulated stainless steel. The pipes used in these chimneys is usually of double or triple-wall construction with trapped air-insulation between each layer.

Tee Chimneys

• Tee chimneys are installed in a horizontal position through a house wall and then rerouted to the roof of the building. These chimney types provide low levels of updraft due to their unusual shape and the fact more of the chimney is exposed to colder outdoor temperatures. Tee chimneys are also expensive to install, so are usually only used when straight venting in an upward direction is impractical.

Air-Cooled and Air-Insulated Chimneys

• Air-cooled chimneys have multiple layers of metal with channels of air running between them. This structure allows the air to circulate between individual layers and to effectively disperse heat from the fireplace. Air-insulated chimneys have a similar design but are structured to minimize air movement between the metal layers, to insulate heat rather than disperse it.