Building A Chimney On The Side Of A House

The location of the fireplace largely influenced by the overall structure of your house and building codes.

Building a chimney on the side of a house.

2 decide what material the chimney will be made of. Install metal flashing where the chimney goes out through the walls. Airspace between the chimney and any combustible material of which the side of the house certainly qualifies. This cricket sheds rain water away from the chimney rather than allowing it to beat down onto the side of the chimney that is the most susceptible to water penetration.

Another and more important chimney cricket is the one that is built on the upper back side of a chimney. But as i look around it s apparent that the majority of houses less than 50 years old were designed and built by people who don t share my views. Kreh author of building with masonry the taunton press 1998 replies. Once the chimney is built install sheet metal on all four sides of the 2 inch opening between the outside of the chimney and the combustible materials.

Poor pointing allows moisture ingress and subsequent freeze thaw damage. In fact i suggest that a chimney hanging off the side of a house like an afterthought is an abomination functionally and aesthetically. Masonry enclosures must be properly pointed with the mortar mix recommended by the manufacturer of the brick block or stone cladding. Use the flashing where the chimney and roof meet and as a lining installed under the chimney cap.

Chimneys belong inside houses. You might be thinking that putting it on the side of the house would be easier. Chimneys are exposed to the environment on three of their four sides so are extremely vulnerable to damage by the elements. The taller the chimney the better it drafts.

On one hand code requires that there be a 1 in. If possible install the chimney near the center of your house to heat up the largest area in the most efficient manner.