Stainless liner vs. clay tile: which one belongs in your Ohio home?
Most pre-1990 Ohio chimneys still have clay tile liners. Here's when relining with stainless is the right call.
Clay tile: what it does well
Clay is cheap, common in older Columbus and Cincinnati homes, and works fine for open wood-burning fireplaces — when it's intact.
Where clay tile fails
After a chimney fire, the tiles often crack from thermal shock. They also can't be safely used to vent modern high-efficiency gas appliances, which produce acidic condensation that eats clay from the inside.
Why stainless wins for most Ohio retrofits
A 316Ti or AL29-4C stainless liner is sized exactly to the appliance, lasts 20-plus years, comes with a lifetime warranty when professionally installed, and is required by most insurance companies after a documented chimney fire.
What an install looks like
One day on site. We drop the liner from the top, insulate it, connect at the appliance, and seal the top plate. No demolition. Your fireplace works the same evening.
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