Double Wall vs Triple Wall Chimney Pipe: Which One Should You Buy?

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The quick answer: double wall vs triple wall chimney pipe

Double-wall chimney pipe has two walls with insulation or an air space between them; triple-wall adds a third wall and more insulation. On the listings here, the triple-wall DuraVent DuraPlus states a 2 in clearance to combustibles, while the double-wall DuraVent DVL states 6 in to walls and 8 in to ceilings. On these listings, the Selkirk SureTemp double-wall states UL-listed with a 2,100 degree surge rating; the DuraVent DVL, Selkirk Metalbestos and DuraVent DuraPlus state a Limited Lifetime warranty, while the SureTemp states a warranty without a term. Match the pipe to your appliance manual and local code, not to a rule of thumb.

What double-wall means on a listing

Three listings here are double-wall. The Selkirk SureTemp 206148 is a 6 in by 48 in double-wall stainless steel insulated vent, UL-listed with a rating to 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit during surges, with a locking band. The DuraVent DVL is a 6 in double-wall stovepipe that telescopes from 40 to 68 in, air-insulated, with a stainless steel inner wall and a galvanized black-painted outer wall. The Selkirk Metalbestos 266036 is a 6 in by 36 in double-wall smoke pipe with a black aluminized steel outer casing and stainless steel inner liner, 6 in inner and 6.5 in outer diameter. Double-wall on these listings means two walls; the insulation between them varies by maker.

What triple-wall adds

One listing here is triple-wall: the DuraVent DuraPlus, 6 in by 12 in, with a stainless steel inner liner, an aluminized steel intermediate liner and a stainless or galvanized steel outer wall. The listing credits a refractory ceramic blanket plus a thermal air space for insulation, and states the blanket lets the liner expand during extreme creosote fires. It is rated for continuous operation at 1,000 degrees flue gas temperature, with a 2 in clearance to combustibles and a twist-lock connection. The third wall and the ceramic blanket are what separate it from the double-wall examples here.

The four examples, ranked

1. Selkirk SureTemp 48 in double-wall

The longest section here at 48 in, UL-listed with a 2,100 degree surge rating, stainless steel throughout and a locking band. It vents wood, coal, oil or gas appliances. The 11.7 kg weight reflects the 48 in length. No warranty term is stated on the listing.

2. DuraVent DuraPlus 12 in triple-wall

The only triple-wall example: ceramic blanket insulation, 2 in clearance, twist-lock connection and a 10.75 in installed length. Rated for continuous 1,000 degree flue gas temperature. Limited lifetime warranty stated. At 5.9 pounds it has the lowest weight here.

3. DuraVent DVL telescoping double-wall

The adjustable option: telescopes from 40 to 68 in with no cutting, air-insulated double-wall with 6 in wall and 8 in ceiling clearances stated. Stainless inner wall with galvanized black outer. Limited lifetime warranty stated. One discrepancy: the spec table lists the size as 29 to 46 in against the 40 to 68 in in the title and bullets; trust the title and bullets.

4. Selkirk Metalbestos 36 in double-wall

The basic connector: 6 in by 36 in double-wall smoke pipe, black aluminized outer with stainless inner, three metal screws supplied. It connects a wood stove to insulated chimneys per the listing. Limited lifetime warranty stated. The 7.6 pound weight suits a short connector run.

How to choose

Start with the appliance manual: it names the venting the stove is listed for. Then check clearances on the pipe listing: 2 in on the DuraPlus triple-wall here, 6 in to walls and 8 in to ceilings on the DVL double-wall here, with the Selkirk listings stating no clearance figures. Then check the connection system: Selkirk locking band, DuraVent twist-lock and the telescoping DVL each connect their own way. Lengths here run 12, 36 and 48 in plus the 40 to 68 in telescoping section; plan the run before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is triple-wall chimney pipe always better than double-wall?

Not automatically. The triple-wall DuraPlus here states more insulation and a 2 in clearance, but the double-wall Selkirk SureTemp is UL-listed with a 2,100 degree surge rating. The DVL, Metalbestos and DuraPlus state limited lifetime warranties. Better means matched to the appliance manual and the clearances you have.

What clearance does chimney pipe need?

It varies by listing. The DuraPlus triple-wall states 2 in to combustibles. The DVL double-wall states 6 in to walls and 8 in to ceilings. The Selkirk listings state no clearance figures here. Always follow the pipe listing and your local code.

Can I mix Selkirk and DuraVent pipe?

The listings show brand-specific connections: a locking band on the Selkirk SureTemp and twist-lock on the DuraVent DuraPlus, plus the telescoping DVL. The listings do not state cross-brand compatibility, so check with the makers before mixing.

How long a section should I buy?

The listings offer 12 in (DuraPlus), 36 in (Metalbestos), 48 in (SureTemp) and 40 to 68 in telescoping (DVL). Measure the run and plan for the connections; the DVL telescopes to fit without cutting.

Does double-wall pipe need insulation added?

No. The double-wall listings here are complete as listed: the SureTemp is stainless steel insulated, the DVL is air-insulated and the Metalbestos is a double-wall system. The triple-wall DuraPlus adds its own ceramic blanket. Do not wrap extra insulation around listed pipe unless the maker allows it.

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