Expert: James Ball - 7/17/2010

Question
I bought a house with a masonry chimney that forms the northwest corner of my 2 story house, from basement to 2nd floor. I new that it was bad to have this masonry exposed to the outside for various reasons. I now want to insulate the outside of the chimney to put it within the insulated envelope of the house. I plan to frame around it with firing strips,  install rigid insulation and then match the house with lap siding. Is this a good idea. Is there a better idea?

Answer
Hello John, you have to check with your local building department most building code for this is 2" to combustibles from the masonry of the every where to the top of the chimney (4" behind the chimney)
they wil tell you what you need and how to do it.
hope this helped
James