Chimney types and materials: from bricks to steel
Brick chimney, element chimney and steel chimney — and the standard that sets the framework
Not all chimneys are the same, and as a chimney sweep you encounter the full range — from the old bricked chimney on a half-timbered house to the light steel chimney on a newly built semi-detached house. Knowing the materials and their properties is a prerequisite for being able to assess whether a chimney is safe and to approve a new one.
§The built-in chimney
The classic brick chimney can be built traditionally, brick by brick, or built from prefabricated chimney modules. Common to them is a brick section that runs through the roof ridge and extends all the way from the fireplace and up. A brick chimney can normally handle higher temperatures than a steel chimney, making it robust against the high temperatures that can occur when operating at high intensity.
§The element chimney.
Instead of bricking stone on stone, nowadays double-walled chimney modules are often used — a modular chimney. Because there is air between the inner and outer modules, the structure becomes stronger than a conventional chimney built in the traditional way, while also being faster to install.
§Steel chimney
The steel chimney is a light, stainless steel flue chimney designed for efficient removal of flue gases and can be mounted both indoors and outdoors. It typically consists of an inner tube, intermediate insulation and an outer jacket. The low weight and simple installation make the steel chimney popular for retrofitting older houses or installing a new wood stove in a house without an existing chimney.
| Type | Build-up | Typical advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Brick chimney | Stone from nature, e.g. granite and marble | Withstands high temperatures, robust over long time |
| Element chimney. | Double-walled modules with air between | Stronger than an ordinary brick chimney, quick to assemble |
| Steel chimney | Indication | Light, can be installed indoors and outdoors, suitable for retrofitting |
§DS/EN 1443 — the standard behind the chimney
The European standard DS/EN 1443 sets out general requirements for chimneys used to direct combustion products from fireplaces to the outside. The standard sets basic conditions for design and function, and the steel chimneys and cement-based component chimneys must be CE-marked and provided with a designation code showing what the chimney can be used for.
§Why it matters for you
The understanding of materials helps you correctly assess a chimney: a brick chimney requires a different perspective than a steel chimney and an element chimney must be checked for something else. The better you know the construction the more precisely you can clean check and advise the customer on which solution suits their house and their fireplace.