What Is a Chimney?
A chimney is the vertical structure that safely carries smoke, gases, and heat from your stove or fireplace out of your home.
Think of it as the “exhaust system” for your fire. It creates a draught (or draw)—pulling fresh air in and pushing smoke up and out.
What Does a Chimney Do?
- Removes smoke & fumes from your living space
- Improves stove performance by creating airflow
- Protects your home from heat, smoke, and potential fire risks
- Helps the stove burn cleaner and more efficiently
Types of Chimneys:
- Traditional Brick Chimney: Common in older homes. Usually needs a stainless steel liner for use with modern stoves.
- Twin Wall Chimney System: Made from insulated metal pipes. Ideal for homes without an existing chimney. Can run internally or externally.
- Pre-Fabricated Chimneys: Found in some modern homes with gas or electric fireplaces. May need upgrading for wood or multi-fuel stoves.
Do Chimneys Need Maintenance?
Yes! A chimney should be swept and checked at least once a year to remove:
- Creosote (highly flammable buildup from wood smoke)
- Soot and blockages
- Bird nests or debris
Stovebay Tip:
“A safe, well-maintained chimney is just as important as the stove itself. Need advice on your setup or a new flue system? Just give us a call!”
What Is a Flue?
A flue is the internal passage that carries smoke, gases, and heat from your stove or fireplace out through the chimney or flue system.
It’s like the exhaust pipe for your stove.
What Does a Flue Do?
- Channels smoke and harmful gases safely out of your home
- Helps create a strong draught (airflow) so your stove burns efficiently
- Keeps the heat in the stove and prevents smoke from backing up into the room
Types of Flues:
- Flexible Flue Liner: Installed inside an existing brick chimney. Made from stainless steel. Improves safety and draw for modern stoves.
- Twin Wall Flue System: Used in homes without a chimney. Made of two layers of stainless steel with insulation between. Can go up through ceilings or outside the wall and up.
- Clay or Masonry Flue: Built into traditional chimneys. Often needs relining to work safely with modern stoves.
Why the Flue Matters:
If the flue isn’t properly fitted, insulated, or maintained, you can have:
- Poor stove performance
- Smoke coming into the room
- Dangerous carbon monoxide buildup
- Creosote fires (from tar buildup)
Stovebay Tip:
“Whether you’ve got a chimney or not, the flue is what makes your stove work safely and efficiently. Choosing the right flue system is just as important as choosing the stove.”
Summary: Difference Between a Chimney and a Flue?
| Term | What It Is | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Chimney | The structure—usually brick or masonry—that houses the flue | Traditional brick stack |
| Flue | The passage inside the chimney that carries smoke & gases out | Stainless steel liner, twin wall pipe |
Think of the chimney as the "coat" and the flue as the "sleeve" that channels the heat and smoke safely outside.
Flue Maintenance & Safety Tips
- Annual chimney sweep: Essential for removing creosote buildup and ensuring good airflow
- Inspect seals & joints for leaks or corrosion
- HETAS or qualified engineer should install or modify any flue systems
- Keep records of installation and maintenance for warranty and insurance purposes
Common Issues to Watch Out For:
- Poor draw (smoke coming back into the room)
- Excess soot or tar build-up
- Condensation inside the flue
- Birds' nests or blockages
All these can affect stove performance and safety.
Stovebay Tip:
“A great stove is only as good as the flue it's connected to. Whether you're renovating or starting from scratch, we can help you choose the right chimney setup for your home.”
Why a Good Chimney Is Essential for Your Stove
Important Considerations: Chimneys + Flues
Having an adequate chimney is vital to the success of an efficient and safe fire. A well-designed chimney does more than just remove smoke—it actually plays a key role in how well your stove performs.
A Chimney Has Two Main Jobs:
- Carry smoke, gases, and fumes safely out of your home
- Create a natural draft (or draw) to keep your fire burning efficiently
Without proper draft, your fire may struggle to stay lit, produce more smoke, or burn through fuel inefficiently.
What Affects Chimney Performance?
Several key factors influence how well your chimney works:
The diameter of your chimney or flue also plays a major role in how well your stove performs. If the chimney is too wide, the smoke and gases cool down too quickly as they rise. This cooling reduces the speed of the draft, causing poor airflow and sluggish smoke evacuation.
If the chimney is too narrow, it can restrict airflow and cause backdraft issues such as smoking.
Stovebay Tip:
“Even the best stove won’t perform properly without a good chimney behind it. That’s why we always help our customers choose the right flue setup for their home.”
Need Help Picking the Right Flue?
We stock flue liners, twin wall systems, and all the parts you need—plus advice you can trust.
Email: sales@stovebay.com Call: 02866 342592 Visit: www.stovebay.com
Hearth Plinths
Hearth Requirements for Stove Installations
Everything You Need to Know Before Installing Your Stove - By Stovebay.com
What Is a Hearth?
A hearth is a flat, non-combustible base that sits beneath and around your stove. Its job is to protect your floor, carpet, or wood surface from:
- Heat radiating from the stove
- Hot embers or ash that may fall when opening the door
Key Hearth Regulations at a Glance:
- Must extend 150mm to either side of the stove
- Must extend 225mm in front of the stove
- (Or 300mm if the stove can be operated with the door open)
- Minimum hearth dimensions: 840mm x 840mm
- Must have 150mm clearance to the rear and sides of the stove (or heatproof wall)
The hearth must be visibly raised or outlined to show where the safe area begins. This can be achieved by:
- Recessing the surrounding floor
- Raising the hearth
- Installing a 50mm high fender (on a flush floor) for edge visibility
Minimum 12mm thick non-combustible material. Applies only to stoves independently certified to have a base temperature that keeps the hearth below 100°C.
Always check your stove’s spec sheet or user manual.
Constructional Hearths
Some installations may require a full constructional hearth—this includes a thicker base (usually 125mm) and air gap below. These are typically needed:
- For older stoves or models without tested floor temperatures
- In homes where a building control officer requires additional fire safety
This is fully covered in Approved Document J of the UK Building Regulations.
Hearth Plinth Material
Stovebay Tip:
“Your hearth is more than just a platform—it's a vital safety feature. We’re happy to advise on materials, sizing, and styles to suit your home and stove setup.”
Questions About Your Hearth?
Let us help you choose the right setup and stay compliant with current regs.
Email: sales@stovebay.com Call: 02866 342592 Visit: www.stovebay.com
