Quick AnswerA stainless steel liner is the most common modern relining solution because it works across wood, gas, and oil appliances and installs without the extensive masonry work a cast-in-place liner requires. We size the liner to your specific appliance's output, not a generic diameter, since an oversized or undersized liner causes real draft and safety problems.
What’s Included
Flue liners protect the surrounding masonry from heat and corrosive byproducts while giving smoke and gases a clear, sized path out of the house. When a clay tile liner cracks, separates, or was never installed to modern standards, a flexible stainless steel liner is usually the fastest and most versatile fix, whether you're venting a wood-burning fireplace, gas furnace, or oil appliance.
- Liner diameter is calculated specifically for your appliance's BTU output and flue height per NFPA 211 guidance, not just matched to the existing flue opening, since incorrect sizing is one of the most common causes of poor draft and dangerous flue gas spillage.
- Liners are insulated where required for wood-burning applications, which improves draft, reduces creosote buildup, and keeps surrounding combustibles at a safer temperature.
- Connections at the appliance and top termination are sealed and fitted with the correct plate and cap, so the finished system is fully enclosed rather than left open to the chase or attic space.
- We install liners rated for the specific fuel type in use, since gas, oil, and wood each produce different byproducts that require different liner grades to resist corrosion long-term.
- The full length of the existing flue is inspected before installation to catch obstructions, damaged masonry, or offsets that need to be addressed before the new liner goes in.
- Every liner installation comes with a written, flat-fee estimate covering material and labor, provided before any work begins.
Signs You Need This
- Visible cracks, gaps, or missing sections in an existing clay tile liner
- A chimney that has never been lined, common in older Cleveland-area homes
- Appliance upgrades, like a new furnace, insert, or water heater, that change venting requirements
- Smoke smell, backdrafting, or soot staining around the fireplace opening
- A failed inspection during a home sale or insurance review
Our Process
Inspection and Sizing
We inspect the full flue length, identify what's damaged or missing, and calculate the correct liner diameter for your specific appliance.
Written Estimate
You receive a flat-fee, written quote covering the liner, insulation, and connections before we schedule installation.
Liner Installation
The flexible stainless steel liner is run the full length of the flue, insulated as needed, and connected securely at both the appliance and the top termination.
Sealing and Verification
We seal all connections, install the top plate and cap, and verify proper draft before considering the job complete.
How Much Does It Cost?
Stainless steel liner cost depends on flue length, diameter, insulation requirements, and how much masonry prep work is needed before the liner can go in. Gas and oil applications are generally simpler than wood-burning installations, which often need insulation wrap for safety and performance. You'll get a written, flat-fee estimate after we inspect the flue, before any work begins - no add-on charges once the job is underway.
FAQs
A properly sized and installed stainless steel liner typically lasts 15 to 25 years or more, depending on fuel type and how well the chimney is maintained afterward.
No - each appliance generally needs its own correctly sized liner. Venting multiple appliances through a single shared flue is a common code violation and safety issue we address during relining.
Neither is universally better - stainless liners are faster to install and work well when the existing masonry is basically sound, while cast-in-place liners add structural strength to a deteriorated flue. We'll recommend based on your chimney's actual condition.