A man stands next to a brick fireplace structure with a red brick exterior and a concrete chimney in an indoor setting.

Testing the Limits: Building a Chimney for Travis Industries

At Portland Chimney & Masonry Inc., we recently had the opportunity to take on a unique and highly technical project for Travis Industries—the largest privately-owned manufacturer of wood, pellet, and gas stoves in America. Known for brands like Lopi™, Fireplace Xtrordinair™, and DaVinci Custom Fireplaces™, Travis Industries is committed to innovation and rigorous product testing.

We were brought in to build a test chimney designed to simulate a worst-case installation scenario. Following detailed plans provided by Travis, we constructed a chimney that intentionally pushed the limits of proper lining and venting—helping them evaluate how their stoves perform under difficult conditions. It’s the kind of project that calls for both technical skill and deep knowledge of how chimneys function in real-world settings.

While we’ve been repairing and building chimneys around the Portland Metro area for over 40 years, this was a special opportunity to contribute to the next generation of cleaner, safer wood-burning appliances. It’s always rewarding to know our craftsmanship plays a role in something that impacts homes far beyond our region.

At Portland Chimney, we believe there’s something special about chimneys—and we’re proud to be part of shaping their future.

A person stands next to a rectangular metal sheet with nine circular holes, placed on a plastic-covered floor. A level tool rests on the metal sheet.
A blue wheelbarrow filled with wet cement stands in front of a workbench holding bricks, tools, and additional cement at an indoor construction site.
Partially constructed brick structure on a plastic-covered floor with a metal plate and bucket beside it; mortar and tools are visible.
A partially built rectangular brick structure stands on a plastic-covered floor, surrounded by construction materials and equipment.
A partially constructed brick and cinder block enclosure stands indoors, with tools and construction materials visible nearby.
Partially constructed brick and block masonry wall with trowel and bricks on a nearby surface; plastic sheeting covers the floor inside the structure.
A man wearing a blue cap and mask stands behind a partially constructed brick structure indoors, with construction materials and tools visible around him.
A partially constructed brick fireplace with exposed blocks, surrounded by construction materials, scaffolding, and a plastic-covered floor.
A person in work clothes and gloves is constructing a brick wall indoors, holding a trowel and smiling at the camera. Construction tools and materials are visible around.
A person wearing a cap and gloves is building a brick wall on a scaffold inside an industrial workspace. Construction tools and equipment are visible around.
A man wearing gloves and a cap is applying mortar to red bricks while building a brick wall indoors.
A person wearing a blue cap works on building a brick wall inside a large, industrial space with exposed ceiling beams and skylights.
A man wearing work clothes and a cap applies mortar to a brick structure inside a building using a trowel.
A partially constructed brick structure with a sloped mortar layer, scaffolding and stacked bricks visible in the background.
A worker in a cap and gloves applies wet cement to a brick chimney structure indoors, with construction materials visible around.
A person stands on scaffolding while constructing a brick fireplace or chimney inside a building, with tools and materials visible nearby.
A worker in a grey shirt and cap stands on scaffolding, handling a plastic sheet near a partially constructed brick structure indoors.
A freestanding brick fireplace with a tall chimney stands indoors on a concrete floor against a white wall under an exposed industrial ceiling.
A man in work clothes stands beside a large brick indoor fireplace with a metal chimney hood in an industrial setting. Yellow cables are coiled on the floor nearby.
A freestanding brick fireplace with a tall chimney sits on a pallet inside an industrial warehouse space.
Exterior of a commercial building with a "Travis Industries" sign and a red "House of Fire" sign above the entrance, surrounded by landscaping and trees under a partly cloudy sky.