A properly functioning chimney liner could be central to the safety and well-being of the members of your household

 With regards to home fireplace accessories,probably the most key or crucial of them all for the health and safety of your family is the central chimney liner.  Toxic gases and quite extreme temperature levels are both byproducts of having a gas or wood burning fireplace in your home. These kinds of combustion products are more than capable of causing damage to the fireplace and chimney structure in your home,and can even lead to build up that can result in illness among the occupants of such a polluted environment.

A chimney liner is a clay, ceramic or metal fitted insert, the function of which is to protect the chimney from the toxic and hazardous byproducts of a regularly burning fireplace. A chimney liner also protects the walls of the chimney from any potential damage resulting from heat and corrosion. If your home's chimney becomes too hot or damaged in any way, any surrounding wood structure has the potential to ignite or catch fire. Controlled testing of these kinds of situations has shown that a home chimney without a fitted liner is a potential hazard. In the United States, any home containing a fireplace that was built after 1940, is required by law to have installed in it an accompanying chimney liner, and these liners must be replaced if they become cracked or broken in any way.

Chimney liners for the home come in three primary formats or types:

1. Clay tile is the material traditionally used in the manufacture of home chimney liners. Clay tiles are a less expensive alternative to ceramic or metal liners, and are more easily obtainable; they are a satisfactory alternative in a more open fireplace chimney that is suitably maintained.

2. Next there is the cast in place ceramic liner. The ceramic liner is a more lightweight product constructed from a material largely resembling cement. ***Following the installation of the ceramics in your home's chimney, it should (if properly installed) provide a seamless and insulated path for the efficient release of all of the byproducts of your home's fire. A chimney in an older house will also benefit structurally from the installation of this kind of permanent liner. The ceramic liner is also compatible with the various kinds of fuel that might be used in a household fire.

3. Metal chimney liners are typically made from a stainless steel or aluminum base, and are generally utilized for the upgrade or repair of an already existing household chimney system. When these types of liners are installed correctly, the metal chimney liner has a high safety rating and is endowing your home chimney with some serious protection and an increase in it's durability.

When the time comes to replace the chimney liners in the home, most people these days opt to go with stainless steel because it is much easier to install than clay tiles. It is available in either flexible or stiff/rigid styles.  Normally, the task of putting in a new chimney liner is left to a professional, however there are home chimney liner kits available that include comprehensive instructions for their installation, and this has the potential to save you a lot of money in installation costs. The kits usually include all of the required accessories and attachments needed to get the job done.  If your home does have a working fireplace, it would be very prudent of you to have a professional inspection of your chimney system done to ensure that it meets with current safety requirements, especially if you are residing in an older home. An older chimney that is damaged and in need of repair or even one that is just improperly lined can present a serious danger to the members of your household. As well, because there are no shortages of inexpensive and practical ways of fixing the problem, you really would be challenged to find any reason to not consider installing this highly important fireplace accessory.