Steel chimney vs.Ceramic - we compare systemsWe are building a house

Czego dowiesz się z artykułu?

Traditional brick chimneys have a lot of disadvantages.They take up a lot of space, they are heavy (they require support on a solid foundation), and you need to hire an experienced team to make them.Finding such professionals is becoming more and more difficult, and you have to remember that any shortcomings at the construction stage will result in irregularities during operation.

But the fact that brick chimneys lose popularity is primarily determined by the fact that they are not universal.They can only be used if the heat source is a fireplace or a burden boiler without a feeder.It is not recommended to erect a brick chimney for devices with a feeder, because in such boilers the exhaust gas temperature is much lower and can be condensed with flue vapor, for which this type of chimneys are not resistant to.Fumes secreted by gas and oil boilers are characterized by a lot of water vapor and even lower temperature.And because boilers with a feeder and gas are a significant percentage of the heating devices sold, the popularity of system chimneys is growing.

They are much easier to assemble - they are consisting of a construction site from factory -prepared elements.Importantly, under the system (hence their name) of a given manufacturer, you can buy all the necessary elements - cleaning, tees, caps, ventilation blocks, chimney roots, etc..and the complete product is covered by a guarantee.

System chimneys are offered in various versions, enabling adaptation to all types of fuel and boiler or fireplace.Ceramic and steel chimneys are distinguished due to the type of material used to build the material.

Infografika: Komin stalowy vs. ceramiczny

Ceramic chimneys

Have a layered structure.The internal channel is made of ceramics, while the outer housing is usually made of light concrete based on expanded clay.At the same time, this is not ordinary ceramics, which - as mentioned - responds badly to the aggressive components of condensate, but modern varieties, e.g..acid -resistant stoneware.The space between the insert and the housing is usually filled with hard mineral wool shapes, which protects the chimney channel from cooling down and the housing from overheating.At least one ventilation channel is usually formed in the blocks constituting the chimney housing.

Budowa komina ceramicznego

When choosing a ceramic chimney, you should specify which heating device it will work with.Chimneys intended for draining smoke from solid fuel boilers, fireplaces and furnaces should be resistant to very high temperature, because it has such smoke from the aforementioned heating devices.Since they work using a natural string, without a fan of combustion products, the channel does not have to be perfectly tight (smoke does not get through the symphysis, because the air is sucked into the chimney).It also does not have to be insensitive to more condensate, because with the proper operation of the boiler it does not precipitate it.

It is different with chimneys cooperating with gas devices.These are not exposed to such a high temperature, but resistance to condensate and high tightness are required.This applies especially.They are under some pressure, so all connections must be carefully sealed.

Przeczytaj

Steel chimneys

They also have a layered structure, with the channel draining combustion products made of steel.Various species of this material are used for production.Heat -resistant steel is used for smoke channels for fireplaces and charging boilers.Is resistant to very high temperature (over 600 ° C), but sensitive to condensate.Steel steel is intended for gas and oil boilers, or also for solid fuel boilers equipped with a feeder.

Budowa komina stalowego

Attention!What kind of fuel and boiler will be suitable for the chimney, it also depends on the thickness of the steel and the method of sealing (cup connections or seals).Seals are usually not resistant to very high temperature.

Komin stalowy vs. ceramiczny - porównujemy systemy | Budujemy Dom

The steel channel housing can be made of similar blocks that are used in the case of ceramic chimneys.

Steel double -walled chimneys with steel or aluminum sheet housing are also on sale.Thermal insulation is placed between the metal walls, thanks to which the exhaust fumes do not cool down and the outer layer excessively heats up.These types of chimneys are usually mounted outside the building - they are attached to the wall with anchor.

In some special cases, it is worth considering the construction of not the entire chimney, but the purchase of the chimney insert itself.The element made of steel is like the inner channel of the chimney.It may consist of rigid or flexible pipes.The latter allow you to match the channel in the existing chimney.Because this is the most common use of cartridges - they are mounted in old, depleted chimneys to seal them and prolong their service life.The selection of a tight and resistant condensate is also a way to adapt the cable to the needs of a modern gas boiler.

You can also think about the contribution at the stage of building the house, when there is no decision yet what fuel will be used for its heating.In this situation, you can build a chimney itself (e.g..from bricks or chimney blocks) and buy the right contribution when it is already known what will be the source of heat.

Kominy umieszcza się zazwyczaj w środku budynku, ale lokalizacja zewnętrzna jest również dopuszczalna. Takie rozwiązanie stosuje się najczęściej przy okazji remontów, np. gdy trudno przebić się przez kolejne kondygnacje domu.(photo. MK Systemy Kominowe)

Ceramic or steel chimney - which one to choose?

Ceramic and steel chimneys have similar utility values.According to the above characteristics, both can work with any heating device.It is only important that ceramics/steel channels connected to solid fuel boilers are resistant to very high temperature, and those intended for cooperation with gas boilers have resistance to aggressive exhaust gases.

The chimney or steel insert is lighter than ceramic, so it does not have to be based on the foundation.It is usually enough to anchor him to the wall.It is also easier to install, because long sections of the pipes do not require a large number of connections.It is necessary, however.

PoradnikCenisz nasze porady? Możesz otrzymywać najnowsze w każdy czwartek!

Comparing both types of chimneys in terms of aesthetics does not make much sense, because both steel and ceramics can be insulated and enclosed in the same way.Some, however, particularly like the industrial style of steel chimneys.

There are also big differences at prices.For a renowned product made of ceramics or steel suitable for a fireplace or a solid fuel boiler with an inner diameter of 200 mm and a height of 7 m we will pay OK.PLN 2,500.The chimney is intended for a gas boiler with a closed combustion chamber of the same height, it costs ok.3500 PLN.

We will buy an acid -resistant steel insert with a height of 7 m for ok.PLN 1,500, and the air-spal set for OK.PLN 500.

Or maybe a hybrid chimney?

In addition to steel and ceramic chimneys, there are also hybrid models for which both materials are used for the production.The inner cable is made of ceramics, while the housing is made of steel.This combination makes the structure weigh less than a ceramic chimney, so you don't have to make an additional foundation.Installation is also easier.

Air-spal systems

The so -called.Air-spal systems, made of acid-resistant steel or plastic.They are also called a pipe in the pipe, which describes their construction.The inner pipe is used to discharge exhaust gases, and in the space between it and the housing, the boilers are supplied with the air necessary for combustion.

Air-spal systems are cheaper and less labor-intensive in construction than typical chimneys.The exhaust gas can be taken above the roof or directly through the outer wall of the house - so you do not need to erect a long chimney.

So why are they not commonly used?According to the law, they can only be used under certain conditions - to remove exhaust gas from gas boilers with a closed combustion chamber (their power cannot exceed 21 kW), but only in free -standing houses.

Budowa systemu powietrzno-spalinowego

Chimney parameters

Regardless of the choice of the material from which the chimney will be made, it is necessary to ensure that its dimension is adapted to the requirements of the connected heating device.For ventilation channels, it is usually 14 × 14 cm (or diameter 15 cm).Smoke channels usually have a diameter of 15, 18 or 20 cm, while the internal combustion channels up to 12 cm, while the required dimensions are determined by the manufacturer in the boiler documentation.

Rozmieszczenie kanałów wentylacyjnych, dymowych i spalinowych w kominie

Attention!In one chimney it is worth grouping several channels for different purposes.This facilitates the arrangement of the rooms, in addition, it allows you to reduce the costs, because the implementation of each additional chimney is associated with the need to make the next holes in the ceiling and roof.In addition, such a solution is more aesthetic - the roof looks better, from which as few elements draining used air and exhaust.For obvious reasons, we will not do such a grouping by choosing a steel bimen chimney.On the other hand, manufacturers of other types offer appropriate blocks suited to external dimensions to chimneys.In this way you can, for example.increase the number of ventilation channels.

As for the height - the higher the chimney, the better the chimney draft is.Owners of low houses often have a problem with this.The ideal solution would be to increase the chimney, but the visual effects of such a procedure may not be the best.In addition, it is best when its outlet is located in the highest part of the roof, and above the cover only a small part of it protrudes (then most of the heat gives inside the house).

Another option is the choice of a chimney with a larger diameter, which will compensate for its small height or installation of a chimney roof.Such a device, best equipped with an electric fan, provides a string in all weather conditions.They are installed at the top of the chimney.

How to choose a chimney system?

Each chimney must be selected for the heating system.Information on this topic can be found in the house design.In turn, data on the specifics of the prefabricated chimney is included in the technical documentation attached to it.

In the article we show how to read codes placed on labels of this type of product: what are the code markings of prefabricated chimneys?

Editor: Norbert Skupińskina with an opening photo: on the left: The chimney plays an important role at home.It allows the removal of used air, smoke and exhaust gas, formed in various heating devices.(photo.Jawar).On the right: steel chimneys are light and easy to mount.(photo.Chimney-flex)