Single-walled enamelled stovepipes have to be used internally. If you need to pass through a wall, ceiling or if your flue pipe is running externally you should in all cases use an insulated twin wall flue pipe. This is due to the fact that a single wall stove pipe can run extremely hot and reach temperatures of 500 degrees plus, so passing through walls etc can pose a significant fire risk. As well as this, for external use, you encounter two main problems with a single wall pipe.
First, when very hot gasses meet very cold air it creates lots of condensation inside your flue system, which triggers faster corrosion within the system. As well as this, hot air naturally rises but rapidly cooling air does not rise nearly as fast, which can lead to significant problems with your updraught. Using insulated flue pipe significantly reduces these problems.
The Installation Process
When putting a stovepipe in place, you need to always make sure that the spigot end (the tapered or reduced diameter male end) is pointing down. Condensates in flue pipe are unavoidable and installing with the spigot end facing upwards creates ridges in your system that water can build up and sit in, which will greatly lower the life of your stove pipe.
You need to seal every joint from the back of the wood-burning stove all the way up with fire cement and make sure that all seals are not leaking by testing with smoke pellets. Any leaks in the flue system can be extremely harmful.
You can increase the diameter of your flue system by up to 1 inch from the diameter of the flue outlet on your wood-burning stove but by no more. You can also not lower the diameter at any point in your flue system, this is to ensure that the updraught will be sufficient for your log burner.
Here at Fireplace & Furnishings, we supply stove pipes along with various other fireplace furnishings. To find out more about the products we provide, visit our website or get in touch with us today.