The chimney is an important element of a house, one that can be seen from afar and can also change the look of your house depending on the material used to create it.
Chimneys can come in a variety of materials, although the most common ones are masonry and metal, with the latter becoming more and more popular in today’s modern world.
Features of exterior metal chimneys
Metal chimneys have been around for a while. They are certainly not an invention of modern architecture and construction, but they have gained more recognition lately thanks to the contemporary look of metal and the edgy vibe it brings to the architecture of a house.
Exterior metal chimneys come in two types: single-walled and double-walled.
If you are looking to reconstruct your chimney without having to demolish your existing structure, the single-walled version is the perfect one for you.
Nowadays, installing a metal chimney has become much easier, without having to go through an entire demolition of the old structure. The process is done by inserting a new stainless-steel pipe in and building the rest of the unit around it.
Pros and cons of exterior metal chimneys
First of all, metal chimneys are known to be extremely thermal conductive. This is a big disadvantage of metal in general, when compared to other materials such as brick or stone.
The new two-walled stainless steel structures have integrated thermal insulation in between the two layers but nonetheless, remain far behind masonry chimneys in terms of thermal conductivity.
Next, they are quite expensive, in terms of both material and maintenance costs.
The high price is mainly attributed to the aesthetic features of this material as well as its durability. So when taking into account the pros of exterior metal chimneys, it is important to note how long they can last as well as how much they can elevate the look of the exterior of your home.
Moreover, metal is a lightweight material that allows for simple and quick installation. So if you want an exterior metal chimney you could probably get it sooner and save some money on labor costs.
For more information on exterior metal chimneys, contact us at RH Renovation NYC. Working on chimneys is one of our specialties, whether that is a new structure, a repair, a chimney replacement, or even a maintenance check.
Contact us to discuss the pros and cons of having an exterior metal chimney on your roof and whether that is the most feasible solution for you. We are happy to provide you with a cost estimate for free before the start of the project.