Building a chimney

Whether you want to install a chimney during construction of a house, add a new chimney to an existing property or want a chimney for a barn conversion, Topstak offers a choice of high quality systems to suit tradional and modern appearances.

It can be easy and quite economical to build a new chimney or add one to the inside or outside your home. We can provide you with ideas and answers using a variety of systems that can blend in with modern and also traditional appearances.

We offer a FREE TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE on all our products and have provide typical layout drawings for installing new chimneys for use with stoves, boilers or open fires, including large inglenook fireplaces. (See the Inglenook and large fireplaces page.

We have a wealth of experience in providing answers for installing chimneys in barn conversions, where Planning Departments often demand a metal chimney above the roof. As each installation can be very different, please contact us direct for more details.

The more popular systems for building and installing new chimney include the following:

This is a double module chimney block system consisting of flue blocks and outer casings, which are designed for quick installation and easy handling.

Made from exceptionally heat resistant insulating pumice concrete, this system can be installed inside or outside a building and can be clad in masonry or rendered to create the appearances of a traditional chimney.

Available in a range of circular flue sizes from 150mm (6 inches) to 345mm (14 inches).

A comprehensive choice of accessories is available including firechests. See the Large inglenook fireplaces page

Isokern also produce a wide range of high quality pumice concrete flue liners that are ideal for lining chimneys, particularly those that are to be used with wood burning stoves.

Red Bank Rediflow concrete class 1 flue liners

This range of high quality flue liners are designed to provide an economical way to line a traditional type masonry chimney as it is being built.

A typical chimney construction would start with the liners being supported on a suitable lintel or gather if being used above an open fire. The liners are jointed using the Red Bank fireproof mortar, then surrounded by a minimum thickness of 100mm brick, block or stone work. A minimum gap of 25mm must be kept between the outside of the liners and surrounding masonry, and backfilled with the standard insulating concrete mix.

The liners are available in the following choice of popular flue sizes.

Circular

225mm (9”)
300 mm (12”)

Square

200 x 200mm (8” x 8”)
250 x 250mm (10” x 10”)
300 x 300mm (12” x 12”)

Rectangular

435 x 310mm (17” x 12”)
545 x 310mm (21” x 12”)

A comprehensive range of accessories are available including throated gather units for open fires, and of course the well known range of Red Bank clay chimney pots and gas flue terminals, some of which are shown below.

Metal chimney systems

Metal chimney systems provide a quick and economical way to install a chimney in a new or existing property. These systems feature a simple push fit or twist lock-jointing arrangement for quick rapid installation and have a comprehensive choice of pipe sections, bends and fittings. The choice of systems is dependant on the intended type of appliance and fuel burning application.

An insulated metal chimney, often called "Class 1" is used with solid fuel and wood burning stoves and open fires, but can also be used with oil or gas burning appliances. An insulated oil or K vent system is limited to use with certain types of oil-fired appliances and most gas appliances. A Twin wall or gas vent is limited to use with gas fired appliances and certain types of oil burning appliances.

The ICS Insulated Metal Chimney System

This high quality factory made system is suitable for use with solid fuel, coal or wood burning heating appliances, including open fires. The standard diameters of 130mm (5 inch), 150mm (6 inch), 180mm (7 inch) and 200mm (8 inch) are British Standards Kitemarked to BS 4543: Parts 2 and 3. Other diameters up to 600mm (24 inch) are also available.

The chimney sections have simple "push fit" jointing for easy assembly. The high quality stainless steel inner liner is surrounded by insulation and a stainless steel outer casing to give maximum performance and durability.

The ICS system can also be used above a standard brick built fireplace or with a precast concrete firechest to suit solid fuel and also decorative flame effect gas open fires.

We have typical details for this, so please contact us to discuss your requirements.

B Vent - Twin Wall Gas Vent

This system is specifically designed for use with gas fires. It is Kitemarked to British standard 715 and consists of aluminium inner liner surrounded by an insulating airspace and zalutite metal outer casing.

A cost effective answer for installing a chimney above a gas fire, this system is also suitable for connecting a gas flue block system to a ridge vent terminal.

K Vent

This is a twin wall insulated chimney system specifically designed for use with domestic oil (i.e. Kerosene or 28 sec. oil) burning appliances up to a maximum input rating of 60kW. The system is also suitable as a higher specification chimney for gas burning fires.

The stainless steel inner liner is surrounded by insulation and a zalutite metal outer casing.

As the choice of layouts with these systems is almost limitless, please take advantage of contact our to discuss the options and your requirements.