How to Properly Build Your New Chimney

Are you planning to install a new masonry chimney in your home? You need to consider a few details first to ensure it’s properly built according to what’s required for your fireplace or woodstove. Other factors must also be considered, such as where on your roof it will be constructed and how it will be maintained. Our roofing and vinyl siding installation experts at Timberland Exteriors has the details:

Design and Support

The design of your new chimney shouldn’t be taken lightly; after all, it’s often the heaviest part installed on a roofing system. When designing a new chimney, it must be built on an eight to 12-inch concrete footing that’s either below or within the level of your home’s foundation. Your chimney must also be at least four inches thick without including the flue, while the exterior part must be at least eight inches thick to provide adequate protection against weather elements.

Placement

In colder climates, if you’re considering placing your chimney on an outside wall of your home instead of on top of your roof, you’re only exposing it more to natural elements. This “outside chimney” isn’t the best type of masonry chimney for any home as the “stack effect” won’t work to pull combustion materials up properly. As a local contractor for roofing and vinyl window installation, we recommend placing your new chimney on top of your roof so that it’s enclosed within the structure of your home. This helps your chimney in providing a warm fire no matter what the temperature is outside!

Maintenance

This is crucial if you want your masonry chimney to work as well as it should. Chimney materials will expand and contract depending on the weather, which can wear down the seals and joints over time. It’s important to have it inspected at least once a year so that any issue can be identified and addressed before they get worse. Having it cleaned professionally is also necessary to ensure the combustion materials rise smoothly and don’t stick to the inner lining.

When it comes to roofing storm damage restoration, Timberland Exteriors always gets the job done! If you’re in St. Paul and surrounding MN areas, call us at 651-439-1760 or (218) 849-6675 for more information. You can also fill out our online contact form!