Cast masonry chimney? What does a manufacturer of cast masonry chimneys think?
What concerns should you have: what is the longevity of these products, cast masonry and stainless steel? What is their endurance capability? What about the safety of the system?
What you are really asking is, What is the difference between products?
The following is some information – from our viewpoint – concerning chimney restoration. It is important to note that the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) and the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) are informing insurance companies and building inspectors that this cast masonry liner system is the best and permanent means available on the market today of fixing and restoring any chimney.
Both the NCSG and CSIA inform the insurance company that this is an improvement to a chimney and the chimney system which, since it is an improvement – that is, more than just a repair – the insurance company is not liable for. That is, they don’t have to pay for it.
Both the NCSG and CSIA promote the idea that a stainless steel liner system is equal in quality to the old clay tile liner; and, therefore, a stainless steel liner system should be used as the replacement chimney liner system and not a cast masonry liner system which they view as an improvement.
All steel products, whether in chimney liners or elsewhere, suffer the effects of time; that is, they corrode. Their life span is demonstrably shorter than that of masonry.
As one who has worked with chimneys for a long time, it is my personal conviction that the quality of steel is vastly inferior to the quality and longevity of your present clay tile system! Steel is a replacement product!
It has been observed that steel liners are frequently replaced at the rate of once every 7 to 10 years! This leads to the observation that if you wish to restore or reline a chimney, you will not find a better means than a cast masonry system. Such systems has been in effect for more than 75 years and have demonstrated their superiority.
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