Which chimney is better for a bath - stainless steel, ceramic or brick?

To prevent carbon monoxide from accumulating in the steam room, it is necessary to consider smoke removal for the bath complex during the construction stage. Correctly selected and installed chimneys determine the level of comfort in the steam room even more than the structure itself. In this article we will tell you which pipe is best for a stove chimney in a bathhouse and what to look for when choosing materials and installation method.

Design selection

The first thing you need to decide when choosing a chimney is where to install it. There are few options. It can be entirely indoors and go vertically outside through the roof. Or it can be brought out horizontally through the wall and rise up from the outside.

Each option has both advantages and disadvantages that will affect the choice of chimney location.

Internal chimney

The traditional and more familiar way of installing a chimney is inside the bathhouse, vertically upward from the stove, which ensures maximum draft. Passing the entire distance to the ceiling through the pipe, the hot smoke becomes an additional source of heat, so the bathhouse heats up faster, and less firewood is required.

Bathhouse with internal chimney Source rakentaja.fi

Its main disadvantage is the complexity of installation, since the pipe passes through two structures at once - the ceiling and the roof. And the passage units must not only provide protection for their elements from the hot surface of the chimney, but also be sealed so as not to let precipitation inside.

Pipe passage through the roof and ceiling Source sdelai-lestnicu.ru

Another disadvantage is that the chimney takes up a certain space. This can be critical for small rooms, both by reducing the usable area and by increasing the risk of getting burned from the hot surface of the pipe.

However, an additional advantage of the internal chimney is the ability to install a tank for hot water on it, which will heat up, taking heat from the walls of the pipe. Such a tank is called a “samovar”. It can only be mounted on a chimney for a stainless steel bath; in this case, you don’t have to choose which pipe material is better - metal heats up more than others, and it’s only possible to ensure the tightness of the tank.

Stove with a samovar tank for hot water Source e-stroy.pro

External chimney

A chimney that immediately goes outside from the stove through the wall is not the best solution for latitudes with cold and long winters. A huge amount of heat that could remain in the bathhouse is immediately thrown out into the street. And this leads to additional fuel consumption and increased time for heating the premises.

In addition, when hot gases come into contact with the cold walls of the pipe, condensation forms on them. Soot and other combustion products settle on a wet surface, clogging the passage and gradually narrowing the lumen of the pipe. To prevent this from happening, its outer part must be insulated.

External chimney - view from inside and outside Source vosaduly.ru

But this solution also has significant advantages:

• ease of installation - there is only one pass-through unit, through the wall, and it is easier to make;
• maintaining the usable area of ​​the steam room;
• reducing the risk of smoke and fire inside the bathhouse in the event of damage or depressurization of the chimney;
• availability of all components for inspection and repair.

Combined option

External or internal pipe for a bathhouse - which one to choose will be determined by the size and layout of the heated premises, as well as personal requirements for fire safety, fuel economy, and ease of installation.

If you don’t want to touch the roof, but want to install a samovar tank in the bathhouse, you can use a combined design, where the pipe rises up almost to the ceiling and then goes outside through the wall. But the height of the ceiling must be sufficient for such a maneuver - a fire distance must be left from it to the horizontal part of the pipe.

In a combined design, the pipe goes out to the street at the top of the wall Source demyan-pechi.ru

Note! The fewer turns the chimney has, the better the draft. In terms of this parameter, direct internal chimneys connected to the stove from above win.

If the oven is brick

This chimney for a bathhouse is easy to build with your own hands. When the row of masonry covers the stove, the construction of the chimney system begins.

So, on the 21st row of brickwork it is necessary to form two channels. They will then be merged. Next, on the right you should block the space above the core. The gap between the core and the masonry will be 2-3 cm. Any voids are filled with mineral wool insulation. With the 22nd row of masonry, the opening will already be closed, and after that you can begin to lay and shift the channels to the middle. To prevent this ceiling from cracking in the future, it is advisable to lay another row of masonry above the stove core.

Next, the chimney will begin to narrow. Valves are installed here. They are made one above the other. Now the brickwork will go into fluff.

For those who have managed to build a brick oven, making a chimney will not be difficult. The main thing is that no cracks arise. Also, the standard for the cross-section of the pipe should not be exceeded. Otherwise, the gases will cool quickly.

Choosing material for making a chimney

Chimneys are made from a variety of materials, from traditional brick to heat-resistant glass and ceramics. They are chosen based on practicality, financial capabilities, fire safety requirements, appearance and many other factors. For example, when deciding which pipe is best to put on an iron stove in a bathhouse, it is unlikely to be logical to consider a heavy brick chimney. Although this option is also possible. Therefore, it is worth studying in detail all existing types of chimneys, their pros and cons.

Brick

A brick chimney has excellent heat capacity - it remains hot for a long time after the end of the firebox, releasing heat into the surrounding space. At the same time, the outer surface of the pipe does not heat up so much as to cause a fire in the adjacent structures. You can also note the safety for health (when heated, the brick does not emit harmful substances) and the visual attractiveness of such a pipe.

The thickness of the walls and the non-flammability of the material make it possible not to construct a fire protection unit when the chimney passes through the ceilings Source mybuilding.tips

However, today this material is not as popular as it used to be, when the choice of chimneys was small. Brick pipes have many disadvantages compared to them.

• Heavy weight. The brickwork has an impressive mass, so such a chimney requires the construction of a durable concrete base buried in the ground.
• Incompatible with modern metal stoves. The brick pipe cannot be placed on the stove; it is laid out separately and connected to the firebox by an outlet pipe.

An example of connecting a stove to a brick chimney Source izba-brevno.ru
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in fireplaces, stoves and utilities

• Frequent cleaning required. The rough surface of the internal walls and the rectangular cross-section of the pipe lead to the fact that deposits of wood combustion products quickly build up in it.
• Difficult to install. Carrying out brickwork requires experience to ensure that the structure is smooth, with as smooth walls as possible and well-made seams through which smoke should not leak.

Considering all the advantages of brick chimneys and the problems associated with their installation and operation, such structures are chosen primarily for the installation of brick sauna stoves, which are always placed on a foundation. But even in this case, they are often sleeved, installing steel or asbestos pipes inside the masonry.

Through a pipe with a round cross-section, smoke escapes faster, without turbulence Source blogspot.com

Ceramics

Like brick, ceramic chimneys are not afraid of high temperatures, acids, alkalis, and moisture. But they also have a lot of weight and require a support base. And if you choose which is better, a brick or ceramic pipe for a sauna stove, then preference should be given to the latter - the round cross-section and smooth surface do not allow soot and street dust to settle and accumulate on the walls.

Ceramic pipes for chimneys Source schiedel.com

This is an ideal option for a bathhouse, which is most often rejected for three reasons:

• relatively high cost;
• the need to fill the foundation;
• occupied by a chimney installed on the floor next to the stove, the useful area of ​​the steam room.

The pipes themselves do not weigh so much that they cannot be installed directly on the stove. But they are mounted inside special concrete or ceramic blocks that have a large mass. These blocks protect rather fragile thin-walled ceramics from mechanical damage and serve as a frame for laying thermal insulating shells made of basalt wool around them. This design of the chimney eliminates the appearance of condensation in it.

Depending on the type of external blocks, the ceramic chimney can be made single- or double-channel. This is convenient if you need to combine the smoke exhaust system from two stoves. But such a need usually arises only when arranging large baths with many isolated rooms.

The kit may also include shaped connecting elements and special compounds for assembling and sealing the chimney Source vhdom.ru

Glass

If we talk abstractly about a chimney for a bathhouse - which one is better to choose, so as not to think about the need for repair and cleaning, and not to be afraid of fires and smoke leaks, then the most correct solution would be a pipe made of heat-resistant and impact-resistant glass.

But it will cost a very decent amount, since both the material itself and the installation of a glass smoke duct cost a lot of money. And finding a specialist capable of professionally performing this work in our country is still almost impossible.

Asbestos

This option cannot be recommended for indoor installation on a sauna stove, since asbestos releases toxic substances when heated. Such pipes can be installed during external installation of chimneys, using steel adapters to connect to the firebox and pass through the wall.

But you need to understand that cheap asbestos pipes will not last long, since their porous surface will absorb moisture, which expands when freezing and causes destruction of the material. In addition, soot will quickly accumulate on their walls, and cleaning the channel using mechanical methods can be disastrous for fragile walls.

Inexpensive but unreliable asbestos pipes Source mtv-plus.rf

Organization of passage through the roof

The most critical stage of installation is the passage through the roof. After all, cutting a hole in the roof of the steam room can disrupt the hydro- and thermal insulation of the roofing pie, resulting in leaks and destruction of the rafters of the building. Following these recommendations will help you make the right passage through the roof:

1. The hole on the roof must be designed in such a way that the distance between its walls and the pipe is about 10-13 cm.
2. Make a wooden box on the roof in the place where you plan to install the chimney.
3. Fill the entire space that separates the chimney from the inner duct with non-combustible material. In this case, stone wool is suitable.
4. Press the waterproofing layer with sheathing bars.

For proper waterproofing, small cracks in the roof can be sealed with silicone-based sealant. Larger cracks can be sealed by installing a special element - a passage, which is located at the point of exit through the roof.

Chimney passage through the roof

The roof passage is an apron-cap, which consists of a steel base and a rubber tip.

The passage is put on the pipe and securely fixed to the roof. Too much effort when shrinking the apron onto the pipe is not required; it can break the tightness of the connection and cause a roof leak.

Selecting pipe parameters

To determine the amount of material for equipping the stove in the bathhouse with a smoke channel, you need to know its length and diameter.

Diameter

What pipe diameter is best to use for the chimney into the bathhouse is not an idle question; your safety and the normal operation of the stove depend on it.

We are talking about the internal cross-section of the chimney or the size of the lumen of the pipe through which smoke is evacuated to the outside. If there is a factory-made stove in the bathhouse, then it is easy to determine the required internal diameter of the smoke channel: it should be the same or slightly larger than the outlet pipe from the firebox.

The outlet pipes have standard sizes, allowing you to accurately select a chimney pipe for them Source domizbrusa.by

Calculation of a chimney for a wood-burning stove: dimensions, diameter, height above the roof

Calculating a chimney for a wood-burning stove under construction is one of the most important conditions for the normal and high-quality functioning and operation of the system. Therefore, it is very important during construction to adhere to accepted norms and rules as much as possible. Next, we’ll talk about what average parameters need to be taken into account and how to determine them yourself.

Video description

How to determine the height of the chimney, watch this video:

• If the horizontal distance from the ridge to the pipe does not exceed 1.5 m, it should rise 50 cm above it.
• At a distance of up to 3 m, the top of the pipe can be at the same level as the ridge.
• If it exceeds 3 m, then you need to draw a line from the ridge at an angle of 100 to the horizontal, and at its intersection with the vertical axis of the pipe installation the required height will be located.
• The length of the chimney above a flat roof should be 1 m.

Why do you need to know the diameter?

Beginners do not understand the importance of the chimney cross-section for a stove and why it is so important to correctly calculate not only the internal size, but also the height of the pipe. When developing an individual project for an autonomous heating system for a residential or industrial premises, the level of traction and performance of the unit depends on the accuracy of the data.

Inexperienced builders can make a pipe with a large or insufficient cross-section. In any such option, the operation of the heating device is disrupted, and you are simply throwing money away. For optimal operation of the home heating system, it is important to carry out an accurate calculation and familiarize yourself with the recommendations of regulatory documents.

Selection of components

It is not enough to simply choose which pipe to use for your sauna stove. For proper installation of the chimney and its safe operation, various components and consumables are required.

Even if your choice fell on an insulated three-layer sandwich pipe, installation begins with an uninsulated single-wall pipe, the task of which is to take the temperature of the gases leaving the furnace and release it into the room. Using an adapter, it is connected to the main chimney.

The set of components depends on the design and location of the chimney.

The main components of the external and internal chimney Source tvoya-banya.ru

A mandatory element of any design is a gate, which is a rotary or retractable valve mounted in a pipe. The damper handle extends outward so that it can be controlled by adjusting the draft.

To rotate the pipe or bring it out through the wall, you will need an elbow with the desired rotation angle. A cap in the form of an umbrella or a reflector is installed on the top of the pipe to protect it from debris and precipitation getting into it and from blowing wind. And tees are used to collect condensate and clean the chimney.

For reference! To clean brick chimneys, holes are made in them, which are closed with metal doors.

Particular attention is paid to arranging the passage of pipes through walls, ceilings and roofs. In prefabricated structures, the kit includes a PPU - a ceiling-passage unit, which just needs to be installed correctly, following the instructions.

Ceiling pass-through assembly for sandwich pipe Source u-dacha.rf

Features of installation work

There are quite a few features regarding installation work that need to be taken into account. An example is the information below:

1. To begin with, a hole is created for the chimney of the appropriate diameter.
2. A metal apron is being installed.
3. After completing the preparatory stage, the installation of the chimney itself is carried out. To begin with, the fastenings are prepared in increments of about 20 centimeters.
4. The structure is assembled, after which the pipe is connected to the furnace.
5. The damper is installed.
6. The last structural element to be installed is the outer part of the pipe, rising above the roof.
7. Experts recommend securing protective bends that will prevent precipitation from getting inside the oven.

In general, we can say that there are no special problems when performing this work. When carrying out installation work, attention should be paid to insulating the pipe from external materials, which ignite when heated strongly.

In conclusion, we note that before carrying out the work, the development of an appropriate project should be carried out. Also, to implement the project you will need a variety of tools, as well as assistance, since lifting the pipe and other work is difficult to do alone.

Selection by manufacturer

Those who prefer quality to an affordable price can be advised to buy products from manufacturers with a good reputation.

Steel chimneys on our market are represented mainly by domestic brands. Judging by the reviews, the products of the following manufacturers have the highest quality:

• Ferrum and Kraft (Voronezh);
• Schidel (Germany);
• Baltvent (Kaliningrad);
• Termofor (Novosibirsk);
• Vulcan (St. Petersburg);
• Inzhkomtsentr VVD, Rosinox (Moscow region);
• Rosst@In (Russian Industrial Company) (Moscow).

But the production of ceramic chimneys in our country has not yet been developed. We produce only external blocks and insulation for fireclay pipes imported from European countries.

Ceramics

For many years, ceramics have been used as the main material. This is due to the fact that this material can withstand high temperatures. Quite often, the finished structure is closed in a special casing. The advantages of ceramic construction include the following points:

1. The material accumulates heat well. Ceramics heats up well and also retains heat for a long period.
2. Ceramics tolerate temperature changes. This material can withstand several cycles of heating and sudden cooling without changing the structure. This property of ceramics has been known for many years.
3. High humidity and chemicals are not corrosive.
4. High degree of versatility. Ceramic pipes are suitable for a wide variety of furnaces and structures.
5. All surfaces are smooth, which reduces the likelihood of soot formation.
6. The structure is practically not affected by condensation.

However, there are certain disadvantages, among which we note the large weight of the structure. That is why it is necessary to create additional fastening elements. Many experts point out that the difficulties in performing installation work are completely worth it.

In addition, do not forget that ceramics is very fragile and is susceptible to strong impacts. That is why in many cases special protective covers are used.

Video description

This video contains complete information about the installation of a UNI chimney, the blocks of which are manufactured in Russia:
Among similar products, it is worth noting the products of such joint ventures as:

• Shidel;
• Wolfshäuer;
• Ecoosmosis;
• Hymen.

But if you prefer completely imported products, then they are represented on our market by the following companies:

• Tona (Germany);
• Marshal (Czech Republic);
• Effe 2 (Italy).

Briefly about the main thing

The main questions when choosing a pipe for a bathhouse are which one is better, safer, more practical, cheaper, more durable. Each owner has his own requirements, so their choice may vary. First you need to decide where the chimney will be installed - inside or outside, and then select it based on the material it is made of. The most practical and durable option is ceramics, but it is also the most expensive. The cheapest pipe is made of ferrous metal, but it is susceptible to corrosion. The optimal solution is a modular chimney made from a sandwich pipe. Regardless of the type of pipe chosen, it is necessary to calculate its diameter and length and select component materials for installation and insulation.

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Commissioning

The chimney must be inspected, paying special attention to the quality and tightness of the joints. Clean the inside of the structure with a dry cloth.

All unnecessary items are removed from the chimney and firebox. Test ignition is carried out using a small amount of fuel. At this stage, the efficiency of draft, the presence of smoke at the joints, and its drawing into the room are determined.

After testing, after a few hours the oven is fully heated. You should not cram the combustible materials used into the firebox to capacity; this can lead to failure of the chimney and a fire. All flammable elements and partitions near the pipe must be insulated, the distance between them and the exhaust structure must be at least half a meter. Visual inspection and preventive cleaning are carried out once every six months.

About the installation of fire-fighting fluff in the following video: