Do You Need to Install a Register Plate with Your Flue Liner?

The short answer is “no.” If your chimney has a flue liner, you don't have to install a register plate. However, you may choose to install a closure plate for cosmetic reasons.

There are so many different aspects to be aware of when installing or maintaining a chimney. Some of the terms you may encounter, which may be a bit confusing if you don't understand the difference, include words like chimney register plate, chimney closure plate, and flue plate.

In this article, we will examine each of these terms more closely and help you determine whether you need a chimney register plate or closure plate with your flue liner.

Whether you hear the term register plate or closure plate, the term refer s to essentially the same thing - a metal plate that si ts above a wood-burning stove, sealing up the base of the chimney cavity.

In both cases the stove pipe on the chimney passes through the plate

Key Takeaways

• You only need to install a register plate if you have a chimney without a liner.
• Register plates are practical, preventing the reintroduction of potentially harmful fumes into the room.
• Closure plates are entirely cosmetic, serving only to give the chimney and wood-burning stove a finished, well-rounded appearance
• The term flue plate may refer to either a register or closure plate and is usually used to refer to whichever plate you have above your wood-burning stove.

The Importance of Flue Liners

Before discussing the other, more complex elements of chimney register and closure plates, it's important to understand what a flue liner is. Flue liners play a significant role in deciding whether and what kind of plate is required.

What is a Chimney Flue Liner?

A chimney flue liner is essential in any functioning wood stove chimney setup. It is a flexible or rigid pipe that fits inside a traditional masonry chimney flue. Chimney flue liners typically consist of materials resistant to high temperatures, including clay, ceramic, and stainless steel.

What Do Chimney Liners Do?

Chimney liners, or chimney flue liners, serve a few main purposes.

First, they help to protect the chimney's masonry. By lining your brick chimney with a flue liner, you protect it from the combustion process's corrosive gases and other byproducts. As a result, your chimney will last significantly longer without requiring repairs or replacement.

Secondly, a flue liner will help improve the efficiency of your flue. By creating a smooth surface inside your chimney, you ensure that the gases flow through it more freely, resulting in a more efficient venting of exhaust gases.

Finally, chimney liners help improve the safety of your stove or fireplace, partially because they help improve the outflow of gases from your home. Since they are a solid pipe inside your brick chimney, they seal any minor gaps or cracks in the brickwork to help ensure that smoke and harmful gases like carbon monoxide cannot escape into your home.

One excellent attribute of a chimney flue liner is that it makes it easier to access the chimney flue as a whole. When working with a chimney flue liner, cleaning the chimney is considerably easier than in the case of an unlined brick or masonry chimney.

How do Flue Liners Affect Your Need for a Register Plate?

While we will explain this in more detail as we discuss register plates and closure plates, the short answer is that one type of plate requires a sealed chimney. It works alongside a flue liner to ensure that your wood stove setup is safe and pleasing to the eye.

The other type of plate serves to fill a gap left by a chimney that hasn't been sealed with a flue liner. In short, it helps prevent gases from flowing back into the room if your chimney isn't 100% effective.

What is a Register Plate?

In the simplest terms, a register plate is a steel board or plate installed above your wood-burning stove. In cases where a chimney flue liner isn't installed, it encloses the lowermost opening of the chimney.

Purpose of a Register Plate

The only purpose of a register plate is to contain smoke, gases, and other combustion byproducts to prevent them from reentering the room. Installing one is vital if you don't have a chimney liner, since some of the gases produced during combustion are toxic.

Carbon monoxide is a particularly good example since this gas is entirely colourless, odourless, and tasteless. In other words, unless you install a carbon monoxide detector, you have no way of knowing if there is a carbon monoxide leak coming from your chimney. Installing a register plate in unlined chimneys can save your life.

Register Plate Materials and Design

Because they come into consistent contact with combustion gases, smoke, and fumes (some of which are highly corrosive), register plates need to be made from materials with a high resistance to corrosion and excellent durability.

Since the register plate must also be non-combustible, it typically consists of either stainless or galvanised steel.

They are typically designed in such a way that they fit snugly into your chimney but still require an efficient seal around the edges to avoid leaks. Moist chimney register plate designs feature an access hatch or several access hatches, so chimney sweeps and maintenance men can easily access the chimney flue for cleaning or any other repairs that need doing.

What is a Closure Plate?

A chimney closure plate is also installed above your wood-burning stove to seal the lowermost opening of your chimney. Unlike a register plate, however, it is used in conjunction with a flue liner.

Purpose of a Closure Plate

The closure plate does not contain gases, like a register plate. Since the chimney already has a chimney liner, which helps to ensure efficient outflow of exhaust gases and prevents gas retention within the chimney, this particular function is not required.

The main purpose of a chimney closure plate is cosmetic. It helps complete your wood stove installation to ensure that it looks nice. It may also reduce heat loss, as it is a large metal object that will absorb heat and then (through thermal mass) release that heat again.

Closure Plate Materials and Design

As with the register plate, a closure plate needs to be made of sturdy, non-combustible materials. Typically, these are stainless steel, galvanised steel, and sometimes cast or wrought iron. However, they may also be made of other materials, like tile or non-combustible wooden boards.

A closure plate is not sealed as tightly as a register plate. Since they're used in conjunction with a flue liner, closure plates typically also don't have access hatches. This is primarily because the flue liner already provides access to the entire chimney flue.

What is a Flue Plate?

While it isn't a common term, you may also sometimes Encounter the term flue plate. We feel it's important that you understand this isn't a specific plate type. Rather, it is a general term used to refer to the plate installed above a wood-burning stove.

So, if you're talking to someone and they ask you about your flue plate, they are referring to either your chimney register plate or closure plate. To avoid confusion, it's generally better to refer to your flue plate by its actual name, either register plate or closure plate.

Chimney Register Plate Vs Closure Plate: Purpose and Features

We're sure you want to understand how closure plates and register plates work, so we've created this handy chart to help you understand each product's features and limitations.

As you can see, register plates are practical, while closure plates are simply for aesthetic reasons. While installing a register plate is a brilliant idea if you haven't lined your chimney, it's well worth considering installing a chimney flue liner instead. The benefits are manifold and include greater efficiency, lower fuel consumption, and better safety.

Final Thoughts

Both register plates and closure plates have a place in society. However, due to the benefits mentioned above, a flue liner will almost certainly be the best option.

You will not need to install a closure plate under any circumstances. However, you may choose to do so for purely aesthetic reasons. On the other hand, without a flue liner, you will need to install a register plate for your safety.

It's well worth considering purchasing and installing our easy DIY chimney liners or flue liners. In a few hours, you can easily install your own liner, ensuring that you and your family are safe from toxic fumes. It will also significantly increase your stove's efficiency and reduce your fuel spending.

We wish you all the best with the installation of your new wood stove and chimney liner. If you wish to know more about lining your chimney, feel free to contact us.