DuraVent Chimney Products Buyer's Guide

Many people stay away from venting their own appliances and let the professionals handle it. That's a smart move if you have doubt in your abilities. But, it doesn't mean you have to be in the dark on what venting system to use.

After all, you don't want to buy a gas venting system for your wood-burning stove. That is time and money wasted with a headache to boot. This is where DuraVent comes in. Their systems are easy to understand if you take the time to do the research. Lucky for you, we've done the research and compiled it here in one handy article.

What is DuraVent?

DuraVent makes venting systems for residential and commercial use. There's hardly a venting solution that one of their products can't solve. And while DuraVents products may look like nothing more than a series of metal or plastic tubes, trust us, these tubes are on the cutting edge of technology. DuraVent makes pipes resistant to corrosion and creosote buildup. And, they're flexible and easy to clean.

DuraVent systems are versatile. It doesn't matter if oil, wood, or gas fuels your appliance; there are multiple DuraVent systems that can work with it.

Venting may sound complicated, but learning what system works best for your appliance is quite easy. That's the goal of this article. It will help you navigate and understand DuraVent's products.

How long has DuraVent been around?

DuraVent opened up shop in 1956, making Type-B vents for gas and propane appliances. From then on, the company expanded into wood appliance venting and direct venting systems. Within a few years, manufacturing plants were popping up across the country. In this decade, DuraVent has added some top brands in the venting industry to its lineup, like Ventinox. The company continued to innovate by creating DuraPlus HTC, a high-class chimney system. Now, DuraVent has 24 product lines and has cemented its name in the hearth industry.

eFireplaceStore and DuraVent

Since eFireplaceStore opened its online doors nearly 15 years ago, DuraVent has been a top seller. eFireplaceStore works with some of the top distributors of DuraVent product in the hearth industry. Starting in 2012, DuraVent began to allow properly installed venting products to carry the full DuraVent warranty. This ensures our customers can benefit from both value and peace of mind that comes with the DuraVent product line.

What products does DuraVent sell?

DuraVent has a lot of products. To make it easy to navigate, we're going to break their products down by the way the vent systems are used. For example, all the gas-venting systems will go under the Gas category. You will notice some slight repetition. That's because some systems can work in multiple categories.

All-Purpose Venting Systems for Various Fuels and Appliance Types

All-purpose venting products exhaust wood, coal, oil, or gas appliances. You'll see these systems called "Class-A chimney" or "Factory-built chimney." You can use these for freestanding stoves, furnaces, and fireplaces. DuraVent makes all-purpose venting products in the double-wall or triple-wall varieties.

• Duratech 5" to 8" - These are double-wall chimney systems. Any appliance that burns wood, oil, coal, or gas can use DuraTech 5" to 8". This includes wood stoves, fireplaces, furnaces, boilers, ranges, water heaters, zero-clearance factory-built fireplaces, and more. Between the walls of the pipe, there's a layer of Thermal Tech blanket insulation. Stainless steel end rings seal the pipe. These pipes can withstand continuous flue temperatures at 1,000 degrees F. This pipe works great with products like the Osburn Stratford wood fireplace or the Superior WCT4820.
• Duratech 10" to 24" - These are large-diameter vents for large-scale fireplaces and other heating appliances. You can use this system with wood fireplaces, furnaces, boilers, water heaters, ranges, or other appliances that use oil, gas, coal, or wood. It also has a Thermal Tech insulation between its walls. This system works great for large open fireplaces like Mason-Lite, Isokern, and StoneAge.
• DT Canada - These pipes are the same as the 5" to 8" pipes, except they must undergo one more safety certification (UCL listing) for Canada.
• DuraTech Premium - This system works with the same products that use 5" to 8" venting. The significant difference is the two inches of insulation that raises the max temperature rating from 1,000 °F to 1,200 °F.
• DuraChimney - Much like DuraPlus, DuraChimney stays cool on the outside with a hot draft inside. The DuraChimney line has been a part of the DuraVent family of products since 1959. That's 60 years of innovation behind every DuraChimney system. DuraChimney works for the same products that need a 10" to 24" system with triple-wall venting. DuraChimney is an air cooled system, meaning that only cooling air flows between the walls.
• DuraPlus - DuraVent developed DuraPlus in 2004 to offer top-quality chimney venting that meets Canadian safety requirements. This is a triple-wall system. DuraPlus maintains the draft of your hearth appliance by using both ceramic insulation and air cooling, which boosts the efficiency of your unit. You can use DuraPlus on any 5" to 8" system that calls for a triple-wall pipe solution.

StovePipe Venting Systems

Stoves are becoming more efficient every year, and DuraVent's pipes improve stove performance even more. In order to do that, DuraVent works with companies like The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). The goal of ASHRAE is to help its members create sustainable and energy-efficient products, and DuraVent is making strides. Much like most stove appliances, DuraVent paints their stovepipes black to match. Stovepipes connect wood, coal, oil, and gas-fired stoves to the chimney.

• DVL - This is DuraVent's double-wall air-insulated stovepipe. DVL comes in 6" and 8" diameters. This system improves stove performance with high flue temperatures while providing a steady draft. DVL uses a 430 grade stainless steel inner wall and a painted black galvanized outer wall.
• DuraBlack - This is DuraVent's single-wall stovepipe. There are three types of DuraBlack pipes: stainless steel, welded, and original. They all work the same, but their construction is different. Stainless steel is not painted black, and it's made of 430-grade stainless steel. It comes in 6" to 8" diameters. Welded options are painted black and made of 22-gauge steel. This type only comes in a 6" diameter. DuraBlack is black, made of 24-gauge steel, and comes in 6" to 10" diameters.

Pellet and Biofuels Venting Systems

Other brands or blogs may call these vents PL Vent, P-Vent, or Pellet Vents. These systems exhaust appliances that burn wood pellets, corn, and other biofuels. Nearly 40 years ago, the pellet stove as we know it today emerged as a top heating appliance. Pellets were a relatively new fuel, and in 1992, DuraVent created the first PelletVent system. Today, nearly every major pellet stove manufacturer recommends PelletVent. DuraVent is also a part of the Pellet Fuels Institute (PFI). Through DuraVent, PFI touts the benefits of wood pellets and their appliances, which we have covered extensively here.

• CVS - This is a concentric venting system (CVS) that prevents standing condensation. You can install a CVS system on gas boilers, warm air furnaces, water heaters, unit heaters, tankless water heaters, pellet stoves, direct-vent gas or propane stoves, heaters, and fireplaces. A CVS system will work on any pellet-burning unit. The CVS system comes in 3" inner and 5" outer diameters. The system features a 444 grade stainless inner wall and sealed pipe joints to prevent leakage. It's vented outer wall allows direct venting of pellet stoves as well.
• PelletVent Pro - DuraVent's PelletVent Pro works with stoves and stove inserts that use biofuel like corn, cherry pits, soybeans, and more. It can also vent wood pellets and oil fuel. This system is double-walled and air-insulated. PelletVent Pro comes in 3" and 4" diameters. It is constructed of a 444 stainless inner wall and black galvanized outer wall.
• PelletVent for multi-fuel - This system can exhaust the same fuels as PelletVent Pro: corn, cherry pits, soybeans, and so on. The major difference is the interior construction. This multi-fuel system consists of a double-wall pipe. The inner wall is made from corrosion-resistant stainless steel. The outer wall is constructed from galvalume, and the exterior is black. This system is available in 3" and 4" diameters.

Relining Vent Systems

DuraVent's relining systems allow customers to reline a masonry chimney for coal, wood, oil, gas, or pellet appliances. All these relining systems can work for wood or gas-burning inserts.

• DuraLiner - This is an insulated masonry re-liner. DuraLiner is the only insulated system with zero clearance between both the liner and masonry and the masonry and combustibles. This double-walled system works for gas, pellet, wood, oil, or coal appliances. It comes in 5, 6, and 8-inch diameters.
• DuraFlex Aluminum - This is a flexible aluminum re-liner. This system works well for relining natural gas or liquid propane units, boilers, water heaters, and wall or space heaters, too. It comes in 3" to 8" diameters, so there are many options.
• DuraFlex Stainless Steel - This is a flexible stainless steel re-liner. There are three types: Pro, SW, and 316/304. Pro has 20% more stainless steel per foot than the others. SW is ideal for relining chimneys for wood and gas-burning units. SW has a smooth inner wall that has no ridges to collect deposits and is easy to clean. Type 316 and 304 are the economical DuraFlex liners. These are good for wood burning, non-condensing gas, and oil-burning appliances. Pro and SW are available in 3" to 12" diameters, but the 316 and 304 options come in 3" to 8" diameters.

Direct-Vent Systems

In 1992, DuraVent emerged into the direct-vent market when they developed their line of DirectVent systems. Since then, the company has made the leading direct-vent systems, thanks to their easy-to-use construction. Direct-vent systems have air intake and exhaust built into the venting. These systems work with appliances labeled direct vent. Direct-vent systems are for non-proprietary rated appliances.

• CVS - This system mentioned earlier in the pellet and biofuels section also works for direct-vent units.
• DirectVent Pro - This system is laser-welded with low profile locks to give you venting that looks good in any interior. You can use a DirectVent Pro system with direct-vent gas or propane stoves, fireplaces, and heaters. Notable manufacturers that use this system include Empire, Napoleon, and Sierra Flame. You'll find DirectVent Pro in 4" x 6 5/8" and 5" x 8" diameters.

Gas-Specific Venting Systems

Gas systems exhaust natural gas or propane. These appliances have a draft hood or are specifically listed to use Type-B vents.

• Type-B - DuraVent has been making B-vents since 1956. In fact, it was the company's first product on the market. You could say Type-B vents are their bread and butter. This vent type features DuraLock, DuraVent's lock-tight connection system. Type-B is tough, too!
  
  DuraVent crafts its Type-B vents to meet the demands of a construction site. Type-B gas vents work for any natural gas or propane appliances. We are talking about gas fireplaces, gas furnaces, boilers, water heaters, and wall or space heaters. Manufacturers like Empire and Majestic have products that use Type-B gas vents. These come in 3" to 30" diameters as well as 4" to 6" oval diameters.
• Duraflex Aluminum - This same system mentioned earlier in the "Relining" section also works great for gas venting.

Polypro Venting Systems

Polypropylene plastic pipe works with high-efficiency gas products that produce condensation. These systems see their highest use in Europe. Polypro features many significant innovations. You can cut this pipe to the desired length, and it's lightweight and easy to install with no flexing or cracking over time or with changes in weather.

• PolyPro - This is an environmentally safe venting system for high-efficiency appliances. The pipe is 100% recyclable and works with high-efficiency water heaters, condensing boilers, and warm air furnaces. It comes in 2" to 6" and 8" diameters.
• PolyPro Flex - This system works with the same units as PolyPro. The major difference is its flexibility. If you can't get your PolyPro pipe to fit, try PolyPro Flex. It comes in 2" to 5" diameters.

Special Gas Venting Systems

This special gas vent system sees use in the same appliances as PolyPro. The big difference is that this system is metal instead of plastic. Being metal, special gas venting systems can also withstand higher operating temperatures.

• DuraSeal - This is a stainless steel system made to vent lower temperature gas appliances. The rated operating temperature of a DuraSeal system in all sizes is 480 °F. A DuraSeal system is not made to vent wood or other fuel that burns at high temps. These come in double-wall and single-wall types that range in size from 3" to 36" diameters.
• FasNSeal 80/90 - This installs into a pre-existing vent to improve the operation of your whole system. A FasNSeal 80/90 system can fit into more than 90 types of Type-B vent systems. This is a highly specialized system for the combination installs. For example, if you are putting in two different gas appliances that vent at different pressures, look at installing a FasNSeal 80/90 system.
• FasNSeal - This single-wall gas vent system is rigid. It works best with high-efficiency gas boilers, furnaces, booster heaters, pool heaters, water heaters, or tankless water heaters. FasNSeal comes in 3" to 16" diameters.
• FasNSeal Flex - This system is the same as FasNSeal but not rigid. DuraVent crafts this Flex system out of flexible super-ferritic stainless steel. FasNSeal Flex sees use in all the same systems as the rigid FasNSeal. You can find this system in 3" to 12" diameters.
• FasNSeal W2 - Where FasNSeal is a single-wall system, FasNSeal W2 is a double-wall system. The ideal use for this W2 system is commercial applications within office buildings, medical facilities, and apartment complexes. FasNSeal W2 comes in 3" to 16" diameters.

Pressure Stack Venting Systems

This venting is for sealed, positive-pressure systems like boilers and grease ducts. These use a forced-air fan (DAS) or induction (DIS) to move the exhaust. You can choose the materials of the inner and outer walls. Pick between .035", 304-grade, or 316-grade stainless steel for the inner wall. And, .018", 304-grade or 316-grade stainless steel, or galvalume steel. The construction of the inner and outer walls are also up to you.

Make a choice to laser weld, plasma weld, or Pittsburg lock your walls. The materials and construction of these systems keep you safe. DuraVent works with companies like the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) to prevent heating disasters like chimney fires. The CSIA works hand-in-hand with industry professionals like those at DuraVent, who use this knowledge in the creation of their products.

• DuraStack - You can use DuraStack for commercial and residential venting. This modular double-wall DuraVent system sees use with industrial boilers, engines, chimney stacks, and grease ducts. DuraStack comes in sizes 5" to 36" in diameter.
• DuraStack Pro - Use this pro system in all the same applications as DuraStack, but DuraStack Pro is thicker. DuraStack Pro, just like DuraStack, is available in sizes ranging from 5" to 36" diameters.

Grease Duct Venting Systems

This product is specialized for one purpose in the restaurant industry.

• Zero Clearance Grease Duct - This product is exactly what it sounds like. There's no fancy name like DuraGrease. This restaurant-industry grease duct is available from 5" to 36" diameters. This grease duct is fire-rated and insulated. Previously, restaurants had to build a fire-rated chase or wrap layer after layer of fire wrap to older grease duct designs. But, DuraVent makes it easy. They put years of innovation into this one product to make the life of a restaurant owner easier.

How long does my DuraVent warranty last?

DuraVent products last, but that doesn't mean they are indestructible. Sometimes things happen to your venting system. Before it does, review your warranty information that comes with the product. For now, we'll give you a cursory look at DuraVent's warranty policy.

All DuraVent's products feature a lifetime limited warranty, except two. Those two are Ventinox and PolyPro. PolyPro has a 10-year limited warranty, and Ventinox provides a lifetime warranty.

But while those warranties sound great, you have to read the fine print. Here's a direct quote from DuraVent's website regarding their warranties:

• "DuraVent products are fully warranted if installed only by a professional installer. This warranty is transferable from the original homeowner to the buyer of the home. This warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, smoke damage or damage caused by chimney fires, acts of God, or any product that was: (1) purchased other than from an authorized DuraVent dealer, retailer or distributor; (2) modified or altered; (3) improperly serviced, inspected or cleaned; or (4) subject to negligence or any use not in accordance with the installation instructions included with the product as determined by DuraVent."

Like the first line says, to get the full benefits of your warranty DuraVent requires your system to be professionally installed. According to DuraVent, a professional is anyone NFI, WETT, or CSIA certified or a licensed contractor with prior chimney installation experience.

Thankfully, DuraVent crafts their products so well that you're more likely to move to another home before anything damages your system. For complete information on your DuraVent product, you'll need to read the warranty that comes with it.

Where can I find more information?

We know this article covered a ton of information, so how could there possibly be more, right? Trust us; there is always more to learn in the hearth industry. But, what you've learned today should equip you with the knowledge to track down the right DuraVent system you'll need for your appliance. As you have undoubtedly discovered, DuraVent is an excellent combination of value and quality.

As always, if you have further questions, our NFI Certified Specialists here at eFireplaceStone are always here to help you. For additional literature or information, you can take a look at our links below.

Helpful Links

• Want to know more about Chimney Pipes?
• Looking to learn the basics about Stove Pipes?
• What about Chimney Liners?
• Where can you find your gas vent pipes?
• Any more information on pellet vent pipes?
• Type B-vent pipes are interesting, where can I find them?
• Where are your Direct Vent Pipes?
• Tell me more about B-Vent chimney liners