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How to Choose the Right

Venting for your Fireplace
Whether you just bought a fireplace, are planning to buy
a stove, or just need to replace the pipe for an old unit in
your house, choosing the right venting components is
critical for both proper performance and safety. In this
article we will discuss the basics about the different types of
vent and chimney pipe that are used on these hearth
appliances.

NEW FIREPLACE, INSERT, OR STOVE

Every new vented gas fireplace, wood burning fireplace,
vented gas or wood fireplace insert and stove have specified
requirements for the proper venting components as
determined by the manufacturer. Specific brands or types of
pipe apply to a particular category. For example, you would
not use the same pipe on a wood stove as you would for a
vented gas fireplace. Purchasing the correct chimney
components is absolutely essential. A frequent misconception
we see often is a homeowner or contractor assuming that
existing chimney pipe from an old fireplace can be used on a
new model, especially if the pipe diameter used on the new
unit matches the chimney that is already in place. However,
this is a truly rare occurrence because most old chimney and
vent systems are no longer used with new units.
OLD FIREPLACE, INSERT OR STOVE
Older fireplaces and stoves may not have such listed options
or may require that a particular brand be used, so the ideal
venting components will be determined by the size of the
combustion chamber and the flue collar on the unit. If you are
trying to replace part of the venting system, you will need to
find the exact same brand of pipe, which is often difficult and
sometimes impossible if those parts are discontinued and no
longer available. The fireplace and stove industry is littered
with manufacturers who have gone out of business, and one
of the most common issues we deal with daily here is trying to
find the appropriate parts for a 20+-year-old fireplace or stove.
Sometimes this can be done if the parts are still available from
the original manufacturer or an active company that has
purchased the original manufacturer. In the latter case, it is
possible the parts needed for an old unit can be special-
ordered.
**Always consult the owner's manual of the fireplace/stove
before purchasing or installing venting components for the
unit. If you do not have the manufacturer's installation
instructions, please contact us with the manufacturer and
model number and we will check to see if we can find the
information you need.**
WARNING: Misinformation and mistakes can be deadly when
dealing with hearth products and vent pipe. If a vent system
does not meet the manufacturer's requirements and/or local
codes, the consequences may be severe — including
possible carbon monoxide leakages and chimney fires, which
can result in death, serious illness and significant property
damage.

Vented Fireplaces vs. Non-

Vented/Unvented/Vent-Free Fireplaces
Before we discuss the particulars about choosing the correct
venting components, we must first acknowledge the
emergence of the vent-free hearth appliances over the last
few decades. The term "unvented", "ventless" or "vent-free" is
applied to hearth appliances that burn gas (natural gas or
propane) and do not require any kind of chimney or vent
system. This terminology is also used to describe other niche-
type fireplaces such as electric and ethanol models.
Indeed, the evolution of clean-burning gas technology has
created an alternative option for consumers who do not want
to install a chimney due to logistical difficulties or budgetary
concerns. However, there are several issues to consider
before going this route (which is why we always recommend a
vented system if at all possible). Before we even get to those,
you should note that some areas of the United States (such
as the entire state of California and parts of many other
states) have outlawed the use of indoor vent-free gas
appliances across the board. Unvented units are also not
permitted for use in Canada.
There are a few main concerns with vent-free gas fireplaces,
stoves, and inserts that should be scrutinized before making a
decision, none of which apply to a vented fireplace. First, the
vast majority of consumers of vent-free gas appliances report
a noticeable odor emanating from the burner. This is
particularly an issue to those with a strong sense of smell. To
most this is simply a nuisance, but sometimes the scent can
be strong enough to warrant worries of a gas leak even when
this is not the case.
Second, the clean-burning vent-free fireplaces are
meticulously engineered to achieve complete combustion, but
with no vent, the exhaust has nowhere to go except back into
the room. While this produces harmless water vapor and
carbon dioxide (not poisonous carbon monoxide), this can be
a problem in small rooms. In some cases, particularly with
propane as the fuel, excessive amounts of water vapor can
create condensation on windows and moisture on curtains
that can result in mildew or mold if not dried properly.
Finally, another drawback to vent-free units is the lack of
realism. Since these models must burn cleanly, a ventless log
set or unvented gas fireplace is not going to produce the
same flames seen in a real wood fire, and these also cannot
match the more realistic effects seen in a vented gas
fireplace.
Some of these concerns are mitigated in certain situations,
such as installation in a large, open room or a room that is
always open to at least one other room. But while the
convenience and economic benefits of a vent-free unit can be
appealing, we recommend a vented fireplace in almost every
situation. For more information and details on the pros and
cons of vent-free gas hearth appliances, please see our Gas
Fireplace and Stove Buying Guide.

"Fireplaces" vs. "Inserts"

Another frequent point of confusion in the hearth industry is
the differentiation of the terms "fireplace" and "insert". In
short, a fireplace is a manufactured unit that can be framed in
a wooden enclosure, a wall or a mantel cabinet, whereas an
insert is a model that must be installed inside an existing and
operational fireplace.
For the purposes of venting, the key difference is that a
fireplace must have a dedicated chimney or vent system that
can be located within 2 or 3 inches of combustible materials
(such as inside a wood chimney chase or near an exterior
wall), but an insert requires use of chimney liner that runs
within an existing, functional, fully non-combustible chimney
(such as a brick chimney with a clay or terracotta flue or a
stainless steel pipe).
For instance, a direct vent fireplace uses coaxial (a double-
wall, pipe-within-a-pipe system) gas fireplace vent that can be
terminated either horizontally on an exterior wall or vertically
over the roof, but a direct vent gas fireplace insert uses a co-
linear (side-by-side) aluminum liner (usually two 3-inch
diameter liners) system that connects to the insert and runs
within the existing chimney, all the way to the top.
Similarly, a wood burning fireplace requires a double- or triple-
wall stainless steel chimney pipe, but a wood burning
fireplace insert can use a single-wall stainless steel chimney
liner within the chimney that is already in place.
It is paramount that the proper type of chimney or vent pipe is
used with the corresponding appliance, and now we will take
a closer look at these different categories of vent pipes.

Vent Pipe Category

Each hearth appliance requires a particular type of vent pipe,
which are categorized accordingly. For example, a solid-fuel
appliance, such as a wood burning or coal-burning stove,
uses Class A chimney pipe, which is made to withstand the
higher flue gas temperatures produced by that fuel. The inside
wall of these double- or triple-wall pipes is stainless steel for
this purpose. Direct vent fireplaces, on the other hand, use
natural gas or propane as their fuel, and the exhaust fumes
are significantly less hot. As such, the direct vent gas pipe
that is used on these units has an aluminum inner wall.
Please see a list of hearth appliance types and the respective
required category of vent pipe used on each in the table
below. We have these categories organized in separate
groups on our Chimney Products page.
*Freestanding wood and coal stoves utilize chimney
connector (stovepipe), which is single- or double-wall black
pipe that is connected to the unit and then run either vertically
to the ceiling or horizontally to the wall before it must be
transitioned via the appropriate adapter to Class A Chimney
Pipe.
If you are interested in purchasing a model from our website,
or if you have already purchased one locally but you need the
necessary venting components, you can fill out our Chimney
Pipe Design & Quote Form for a free itemized estimate. If you
provide the correct manufacturer and model information, we
will be sure to quote appropriately-listed materials and
eliminate much of the hassle for you. We will also verify, if
possible, whether your proposed vent configuration is
acceptable per that model's listed venting requirements.

Clearance to Combustibles
In any hearth appliance installation, for the unit itself and the
chimney system, maintaining the proper clearances to
combustibles is the most important aspect. With regard to the
chimney, the different types of vents have varying clearances.
Class A chimney usually has a 2-inch clearance to
combustibles, and a type B gas vent normally has 1-inch
clearance. Vent pipe for a direct gas fireplace is unique. It
typically has a 1-inch clearance when it is run vertically, but
when it is run horizontally the clearance requirements vary. In
some cases, the horizontal sections of pipe still have a 1-inch
clearance to combustibles from the sides and bottom, but
from the top of the pipe, it can be up to 3-inches and possibly
more, due to the hot exhaust fumes rising within the vent.

Flue Diameter
The diameter of the vent pipe used is also specific to each
model. Every fireplace, stove, and insert will use pipe or liner
that should be sized according to the diameter of the flue
collar(s) on the unit. Please note that verifying the diameter
needed should never be the primary or only consideration
when looking for vent pipe because the components used
must fall within the correct category as listed in the above
table.
Simply measuring the flue diameter needed without verifying
the proper category or listed and compatible components is
one of the most common mistakes made when purchasing
vent pipe. This is particularly common when homeowners or
contractors are trying to retrofit new chimney parts on to an
old chimney system. Never mix-and-match chimney sections
of different brands/manufacturers, even if the diameter(s) of
the pipes match. Different types and brands of vent pipe
utilize proprietary connections, usually a twist-lock system that
seals the pipe lengths and elbows together. Therefore, it will
be impossible to properly connect two different kinds of vent
pipe, even if the diameters are the same. An installer should
never try to "make it work" by crimping, sealing or welding two
pipes of different brands/categories together.
Flue pipe increasers and decreasers, which are components
that change the flue diameter, are never recommended
unless absolutely necessary (and allowable within the
manufacturer's requirements for the model) or if needed for a
particular configuration (the use of an increaser for a pellet
stove or insert is fairly common).

Chimney Height
The overall height of the vent system is another factor to be
considered for vented fireplaces that terminate vertically over
the roof. Each fireplace, stove, and insert will have a listed
minimum and maximum chimney height based on the unit's
need for sufficient draft. Therefore, even if the manufacturer's
requirements for a vertical termination are met, the minimum
chimney height must be satisfied for proper operation of the
appliance. This is a common issue with wood burning
fireplaces in single-story homes with a chimney above a low-
pitch roof.
Minimum and maximum chimney height requirements and
restrictions may be subject to change depending on offsets
within the system.

Offsets/Elbows/Horizontal Runs
As with the vent pipe category and the flue diameter, each
appliance will also have guidelines dictating the acceptable
offsets allowed within the chimney system. Class A chimneys
do not allow elbows greater than 30-degrees (45-degrees in
Canada), and the length of each offset is limited according to
the model. Elbows cannot be combined to create larger
offsets. The only caveat to this is freestanding wood or coal
stoves utilizing chimney connector (also known as stovepipe)
that is run horizontally through a wall can connect to a Class
A tee, which in effect serves as a 90-degree elbow to turn the
chimney vertical.
Vented gas fireplaces are much more tolerant of offsets, but
there are restrictions listed within each model's installation
manual regarding permissible offset lengths, the number of
elbows used, and length of horizontal run(s). For the most
part, vented gas fireplaces allow the use of 90-, 45-, and 30-
degree elbows. Moreover, most gas fireplace vent systems
allow the use of flexible vent pipe, which of course can create
any offset from 0-90 degrees.

Vent Terminations and Chimney Caps

Every hearth appliance also has restrictions and requirements
with regard to where and how the chimney or vent system
ends. All solid-fuel fireplaces and stoves must terminate
above the roof, following the "3-2-10 Rule", which states that
the chimney must be at least three feet above the roof at the
point of penetration (measured from the high side) and two
feet above any obstruction within a 10-foot radius of the top of
the chimney.
This rule does not apply to vented gas fireplaces. B-Vent gas
fireplaces must terminate over the roof like a wood burning
unit, but the height needed above the roof can be as little as
one foot depending on the model's requirements and the roof
pitch (degree of slope). Direct vent fireplaces, meanwhile, can
utilize a vent system that either terminates vertically over the
roof or horizontally on an exterior wall. Again, the permissible
terminations for every model are listed within the installation
manual as determined by the manufacturer.
At the end of these vent systems, a proper termination cap
must be used. Class A chimney pipes have their own caps
that are specifically designed for the particular brand and
diameter. While there are universal caps available for these
chimneys, use of anything other than what is approved by the
fireplace, stove or chimney manufacturer could void the
warranty of the appliance or chimney components. However,
in the case of old chimneys when a cap needs to be replaced
and a replacement is no longer available, these universal
retrofit options are the only option. The same applies for B-
Vent gas fireplaces.
Direct vent fireplaces, however, absolutely must have the
proper termination component, as each one is designed to
allow the intake of combustion air while safely removing
exhaust from the system. Different caps are used for vertical
and horizontal terminations, with both types usually having a
couple of different options from which to choose for aesthetic
purposes.
As discussed earlier, all inserts will terminate at the top of the
chimney wherein they are installed.