How much does it cost to replace old clay flue tiles with a stainless steel liner in my two-storey Ottawa chimney?

Replacing clay flue tiles with a stainless steel liner in a two-storey Ottawa chimney typically runs $2,500 to $4,500 installed, though chimneys in poor condition or with unusual configurations can push that figure toward $5,000 or higher. The two-storey height is actually fairly standard for Ottawa relining work — it is the condition of the existing chimney and the diameter of liner required that most significantly affect the final price.

The reason clay tile liners fail in Ottawa is almost entirely down to our climate. Clay tiles expand and contract at a different rate than the surrounding masonry, and after years of Ottawa's freeze-thaw cycling — which can happen 50 or more times in a single winter — the tiles crack, shift, and eventually separate at the joints. A cracked liner is not just an efficiency problem; it is a genuine fire hazard, because combustion gases and embers can escape through the cracks into the surrounding masonry and the framing of your home. If your liner has been deteriorating for several seasons, there is a real chance the surrounding mortar joints have also suffered water damage, which your installer should assess before the relining work begins.

For a two-storey chimney, your installer will typically use a flexible stainless steel liner — either a single-wall or insulated double-wall liner depending on what appliance is being vented. Insulated liner systems (a stainless steel flex liner wrapped in a ceramic blanket insulation and sometimes enclosed in a rigid outer sleeve) cost more — typically $3,500 to $5,000 for a two-storey chimney — but they maintain higher flue temperatures, which reduces creosote formation significantly and improves draft. For a wood stove or wood-burning insert in Ottawa, where you may be burning 4 to 8 cords per season, the insulated liner pays for itself in reduced cleaning costs and better performance. For a gas appliance, a standard uninsulated liner is usually adequate.

The liner diameter matters enormously and must be matched to the specific appliance being vented. Your installer will consult the appliance manufacturer's specifications and the Ontario Building Code requirements to determine the correct diameter — typically 5 or 6 inches for a wood stove and 4 to 6 inches for a gas appliance. Installing the wrong diameter liner is a common mistake that causes poor draft, excessive creosote, and potential carbon monoxide issues.

One important consideration: if your clay tiles are badly deteriorated, the debris needs to be cleared from the chimney before the new liner is installed. This adds labour time and cost. Some installers include this in their quote; others price it separately. Make sure your written quote specifies exactly what is included — liner, top plate, connector at the appliance, insulation if applicable, removal of old tile debris, and any chimney cap work.

This work requires a WETT-certified installer for insurance compliance, and your insurance company will almost certainly want documentation confirming the liner was properly installed before they will continue covering a wood-burning appliance in your home. If you are ready to get quotes, you can browse chimney and fireplace contractors through the Ottawa Construction Network directory at justynrookcontracting.com/directory — getting at least three written quotes that break down materials and labour separately is strongly recommended for a project of this scope.