Chimneys & Venting

Chimney & Venting: A Key Component for Your Hearth

Whether installing a new fireplace, designing and building your own or upgrading an existing unit, one key component you may have overlooked is ventilation or chimney pipe. All wood burning fireplaces and wood stove fireplaces require some type of flue pipe for ventilation, and the same goes for the majority of gas powered units as well. Adding a chimney to a fireplace serves two vital purposes: it removes exhaust air and smoke created by combustion and takes in fresh air to allow the fireplace to burn more efficiently.Here at Fireplaces Direct, we stock a huge array of the most reputable and reliable brands of wood stove chimney pipe components and other fireplace ventilation items. We've done the work to curate a collection of the best, meaning any fireplace pipe you buy from us can be counted on to provide quality service for years to come. To make your shopping experience simple, we've compiled a guide full of helpful tips and info below.

Types of Chimney & Venting Products

Step one in purchasing the right chimney and ventilation solution is identifying which parts you need to complete the job. Our fireplace and stove pipe inventory is full of items from top quality brands. To make it easier to find what you need, we've broken down our offerings here into the major categories available:

• Ventilation Pipe - These pipe segments are the primary component in ventilation systems. There are three main types of vent pipe:

1. Class A Chimney Pipe - This type of pipe is for wood burning fireplaces. These double walled pipes are designed to keep the heat from exhaust gas from heating up the exterior of the pipe too much. This type of pipe is generally available with either a galvanized steel or stainless steel exterior. Galvanized is generally cheaper, but is more prone to corrosion so it shouldn't be used outdoors.
2. Direct Vent Pipe - Intended for use with gas fireplaces and stoves, direct vent pipe comes in two types: co-linear and co-axial. Co-linear vent pipe is generally used inside an existing chimney and uses two separate pipes, one for fresh air and one for the exhaust, running parallel. Co-axial systems use a pipe-within-a-pipe design. The smaller inner pipe is fixed within a larger pipe using spacers. The outer pipe brings in fresh air, while the inner pipe expels exhaust gas.
3. Stove Pipe - Stove pipe is a single walled design that serves as a chimney for wood stoves. In stove pipe systems, when the pipe run reaches a wall or ceiling, it needs to be converted to Class A pipe because stove pipe is not designed to insulate combustibles from heat.

• Connectors & Adapters - These are the pieces needed to connect pipe lengths to each other. Connectors are for networking lengths of the same type of pipe, either straight or in angled elbows to maneuver around obstructions. Adapters are for connecting different sizes and styles of pipe, such as when transitioning stove pipe to Class A pipe to go through a wall or ceiling.
• Flashing - Flashing is designed for passing ventilation pipe through a roof or exterior wall. It's a vital component to keep rain water out of your home.
• Heat Shields - These components are designed to protect combustible materials from the heat of ventilation piping.
• Terminations & Caps - Once you've extended the ventilation pipe out of your home, you'll need a cap or terminal piece to keep out rain, debris and animals.

What to Consider When Buying Chimney & Venting Products

The design, purchase and installation of the correct type of fireplace/stove ventilation is one of the more complex topics in the home hearth industry because of the sheer number of options available and the importance of ensuring the items you buy are compatible with your fireplace or stove. Add in the complexities introduced by variations in fireplace placement and home materials and design, and it becomes quite a challenge to ensure you're buying the correct products to keep your hearth working correctly and keep your home safe.Generally, we recommend working with a licensed fireplace installer to plan and execute the installation of stove pipes for wood stoves and fireplaces as well as gas. Incorrect components or improper installation can cause the buildup of carbon monoxide in your home or lead to a house fire, so it's vital that these products be used correctly. While shopping, be sure to keep the following in mind:

• Compatibility - It's absolutely necessary to confirm compatibility between your fireplace or stove and the type of flue pipe you purchase for it. Incorrect ventilation can cause carbon monoxide buildup in your home and increases the risk of a house fire. Be sure to refer to the owner's manual for your fire feature to determine the correct type of ventilation.
• Length - You'll need to collect accurate and complete measurements of the distance between your fireplace and the roof or exterior wall you plan to ventilate through. Each type of venting will have specific requirements and limitations on distance. Angled connectors such as elbows may increase the effective distance and required ventilation capacity as well.
• Price - Fireplaces Direct sells only the best brands on the market, and this includes our inventory of ventilation solutions. This means our prices tend toward the higher end, but there are solutions available for a range of budgets. It's also important to keep in mind that when dealing with products and components that protect your home, it's worth investing in quality products.