N
Nigel and Gina Easterbrook
20 February 2025
★★★★★
Thanks so much for your fantastic service. Highly highly recommend to all. Nigel and Gina Easterbrook.
Guide
Fireplace flues explained
The flue is the part of the job you don’t see in the brochure, and it’s often what decides where a fire can go and what it costs to install.
What a flue does
A flue carries smoke or exhaust gases safely out of the house and draws in the air the fire needs to burn well. A good flue is why a fire lights easily, burns cleanly and doesn’t smoke into the room.
Wood burner flues
Most of the wood fires we sell use a 150 mm (6") flue. It runs up from the fire, through the ceiling and roof inside insulated casings that keep it a safe distance from timber, and finishes with a flashing and a cowl on the roof.
It also has to be tall enough. The standard councils refer to (AS/NZS 2918) generally needs the top of the flue to be at least 600 mm above any part of the roof within 3 m, and at least 1000 mm above the roof penetration when it’s further than 3 m from the ridge. The fire’s own installation manual can ask for more, and we always follow it. The flue is part of the building consent and the council inspects it.
Gas fire flues
Gas fires use a sealed flue. Most draw fresh air in from outside and send the exhaust out through the same flue, so the room air stays separate from the fire. Many can go out through an outside wall as well as up through the roof, and some have a powered flue that can run sideways for longer distances. That gives you far more choice about where a gas fire goes.
Old chimneys and inserts
An open fireplace loses most of its heat up the chimney. An insert fits into the existing opening, and a new flue liner runs up inside the old chimney. If an old flue or flashing is leaking or worn, see reflashing, reflues & removals.
What it means for your quote
The flue run is one of the biggest things that changes an installation price: the ceiling height, the roof pitch and material, and how far the flue has to go. That’s why we look at it on our free site check. See what a fireplace costs to install.
Sources
Official guidance we checked when writing this page (November 2026). Rules and fees change, so check the source or ask us before you rely on a figure.
Good to Know
Common questions
How high does a wood burner flue need to be?
Generally at least 600 mm above any part of the roof within 3 m, and at least 1000 mm above the roof penetration when it’s further than 3 m from the ridge (AS/NZS 2918). The fire’s manual can ask for more.
Can a gas fire flue go out through a wall?
Many can. Some have a powered flue that can run sideways for longer distances. It depends on the model.
Can I use my old chimney?
Usually yes. An insert fire fits in the old opening and a new liner runs up inside the chimney.
Questions?
Talk to a local expert
Free advice and an accurate installation quote from our team in Tauriko, Tauranga.
What happens next
- 1Tell us about your homeWe reply within 2 working hours to messages, or call us now.
- 2Free site checkWe look at where it’ll go, the flue route and the rules for your section.
- 3One clear quoteA written price for the fire, flue and installation.
- 4InstalledUsually 4–6 weeks after you say yes. Most of that is council consent, which we handle. The install is usually one day.