Chimney Lining Cost for a UK Log Burner (2026)
UK 2026 chimney lining cost for a log burner: £800–£1,800installed for a typical 10m run. 316-grade for wood only, 904-grade for multifuel. Here's the full breakdown.
The short answer
Flexible stainless steel chimney liner installed for a typical 10-metre two-storey UK chimney run:
- 316-grade (wood only): £800–£1,200 installed
- 904-grade (multifuel): £1,000–£1,800 installed — ~30% more than 316
Around £70/m of that is labour; materials are £18–£40/m supply-only depending on grade. Add £300–£800 if scaffolding is required for access (most two-storey UK chimneys).
Get your full install estimate
The calculator includes chimney lining in the itemised breakdown. Pick "Existing chimney, needs a new liner" on step 4 to see the full cost stack.
Open the calculator →316 vs 904 vs W3G — which grade?
Stainless steel grade choice is the single biggest cost variable in chimney lining:
| Grade | Fuel | Lifespan | Supply per m | Installed 10m |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 316 (standard) | Wood only | 10–15 years | £18–£30 | £800–£1,200 |
| 904 (premium) | Wood + multifuel | 15–25 years | £25–£40 | £1,000–£1,800 |
| W3G (specialist) | Boiler / slumber use | 25–30 years | £45–£70 | £1,800–£2,800 |
Decision rule: if you might ever burn anything other than wood (smokeless coal, manufactured solid fuel) go 904. The 30% premium pays for itself in extended liner life when burning mineral fuels that produce acidic flue residues.
What's included in the installed price
- Flexible stainless steel liner (supply)
- Top cowl with bird and rain protection
- Bottom register plate or closure plate
- Vermiculite insulation backfill (optional, but recommended for cold attic flues)
- Smoke and draught testing
- HETAS notification and Certificate of Compliance
- Pre-install chimney sweep (typically £60–£90, sometimes itemised separately)
Not always included (check the quote): scaffolding (£300–£800), cherry-picker hire (£90–£280/day), structural chimney repairs, CO alarm.
The installation process
- Pre-install sweep and inspection — chimney swept clean, structural integrity checked, dimensions measured
- Access setup — scaffolding or cherry picker to the chimney pot
- Liner pulled down — flexible stainless steel liner fed from the chimney pot through the entire flue length to the stove opening
- Termination — top cowl fitted at the pot, bottom connected to the stove via a register plate
- Optional vermiculite backfill poured around the liner from the top for insulation
- Commissioning tests — smoke test, draught test, spillage test, CO alarm placement, notice plate fitted
- HETAS notification— installer registers the work on HETAS's national database; certificate posted within 2 weeks
Typical time: 1 day for a straightforward two-storey UK chimney with good access.
When you can reuse an existing liner
About 40% of UK chimneys with an existing liner can have it reused for a new stove — but only after these checks pass:
- Smoke test — pellets dropped down the flue should produce smoke only at the termination, not through any cracks or joints
- Visual CCTV inspection — the inner liner wall should be intact, free of pitting, with no separation at joints
- Diameter sized for the new stove— most UK stoves need 125mm (5") or 150mm (6") flues; the existing liner must match or exceed
- Grade matches the new fuel— a 316 liner previously fitted for wood-only use shouldn't be repurposed for a multifuel stove that will also burn coal
Maintenance and lifespan
- Annual sweep — required by most home insurance policies and recommended by HETAS. £60–£90 per visit
- Visual inspection every 5 years by a HETAS installer or qualified sweep, particularly checking liner condition at the top and bottom
- Don't slumber the stove — overnight low-temperature burns produce highly acidic creosote that dramatically shortens liner life
- Use dry wood (≤20% moisture) — wet wood produces tar that corrodes the liner
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Find an installer →Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to line a chimney for a log burner?
UK 2026 typical: £800–£1,800 installed for a flexible stainless steel liner including labour. 316-grade (wood only) installed £800–£1,200 for a typical 10m run. 904-grade (multifuel) £1,000–£1,800 — about 30% more.
What's the difference between 316 and 904 grade liners?
316-grade stainless steel is rated for wood-burning only. 904-grade contains higher chromium/nickel/molybdenum/copper content — resists the sulphuric and hydrochloric acids produced by smokeless mineral coal residues. If you might burn anything other than wood now or later, go 904.
How long does a chimney liner last?
316-grade in wood-only use: 10–15 years (longer with kiln-dried wood). 904-grade in multifuel use: 15–25 years. W3G grade (specialist boiler/slumber use): 25–30 years. Lifespan shortens with wet wood, low-temperature slumber burns, and acidic mineral fuel residues.
Can I reuse an existing chimney liner?
Sometimes — but only after a smoke test by a HETAS-registered installer or qualified chimney sweep. Existing liners must pass leak detection, sizing checks for the new appliance, and visual inspection. About 60% of existing UK chimney liners fail at least one check and need replacement.
Do I need scaffolding for a chimney lining?
Sometimes. For single-storey houses with low chimney stacks, a cherry picker (£90–£280/day) or roof ladder may suffice. Two-storey houses with steep pitches or restricted access usually need scaffolding (£300–£800 per job). Always discuss access at the quote stage — a key reason quotes diverge.