what is

a chimney cap?

A chimney cap sits on top of the crown at the very top of the chimney and is meant to protect the flue underneath. It comes in a variety of styles and materials but is mainly made of steel or copper mesh. This part of a chimney forms a barrier between the elements and the inside of your home. Under the cap is the flue, which is the duct that allows smoke to leave the home. An uncapped chimney can let rain, snow, critters, and debris enter your home. Additionally a chimney cap will help eliminate wind induced downdrafts.

The moisture from rain and snow does not dry fast due to the lack of sunlight in the chimney. The moisture erodes the mortar joints and weakens the brick.

As mentioned above, chimney caps help control sparks and consequently prevent fires. This is a two-sided relationship: The chimney cap keeps embers from blowing down the chimney and also prevents embers from going up and out of the chimney onto the roof, which decreases the likelihood of having a roof fire.

Prevents Fires

Saves Money

When it gets chilly (or snowy), we love to get all warm and bundled up. If you don’t have a chimney cap, getting warm may be difficult. The reason for this is that when it’s cold and windy, downdrafts can affect your home’s temperature and your energy bills shoot up.

Not only are these cold gusts uncomfortable, but they also can cause smoke, ember, and ash to blow into your house and damage your home—which can lead to costly repairs. With a chimney cap, your home temperature will be more stable and in turn, your energy bills will decrease.

Reduces Moisture

When you have an uncapped chimney and it rains, the result is inevitably increased moisture in the house. Excess water in your chimney can also lead to issues such as damage to your chimney liners, dampers, and chimney mortar joints.

Moisture can also damage your walls and ceiling. Plus, it can lead to mold and mildew growth which can spread to your home and be a health hazard. By installing a chimney cap, you’ll prevent structural water damage that would likely result in moisture damage and costly repairs later.

Keeps Animals Out

Sure, some of the neighborhood critters can be cute, but it’s all fun and games until you find a raccoon or squirrel in your chimney. Although you might question whether animals would be attracted to the billowing smoke of a chimney—the dark, warm environment majorly appeals to critters.

When animals make their way into the chimney, they can get stuck and cause clogging and foul odors. Installing a cap can help you prevent animals from getting in your chimney, and in turn, save you from cleaning costs.

Preserves Your Chimney Liner

A chimney typically has a lining that is either clay, ceramic, or metal, and its purpose is to protect the chimney walls and keep smoke and debris at bay. Chimney liners limit the amount of heat transfer within the chimney, ultimately preventing fire hazards.

A chimney cap will help maintain your chimney liner by reducing the amount of debris and excess water that passes through the chimney. Consequently, this preserves your chimney’s performance quality and is more cost-effective than repairing a damaged chimney liner.

With all the different types of chimneys out there, it’s no wonder that you’ll also find different kinds of chimney caps on the market. Chimney caps generally come in four types of materials:

Types of Chimney Caps

Galvanized steel

Stainless steel

Copper

Aluminum

Speciality Chimney Caps

While most chimneys use a standard chimney cap and only require you to know the shape of your chimney’s flue, you might have additional circumstances worth keeping in mind as you choose a chimney cap. Here are a few of the most common specialty chimney caps:

Draft-Increasing Chimney Caps

If you live somewhere with high winds, you might need a special draft-increasing chimney cap. This cap prevents the wind from creating static pressure that keeps the smoke from properly leaving the chimney. The increased ventilation allows your chimney to have a better updraft.

Electric Chimney Caps

In some cases, you might need to upgrade to an electric chimney cap for reducing drafts. These caps come with an electric fan that you can adjust to configure the best draft for your chimney. This technology, however, adds to the cost of your chimney cap and may need a professional for the installation.

Damper Chimney Cap Combo

Older chimneys that need an upgrade to the chimney damper—which keeps the air in your home from coming out through the flue when it’s not in use—can benefit from a chimney cap and damper combination. This combo works just like a regular chimney cap, only it contains a lever-controlled damper that sits on the top of the chimney’s flue.

Multi-Flue Top Mount Chimney Caps

Also called an outside-mount chimney cap, these caps cover the crown of the chimney and are often used for multi-flue chimneys. Since they have a mounting system that attaches to the chimney’s body, this makes multi-flue chimney caps ideal for chimneys with unusually-shaped flues or damaged crowns. They’re also a good option for dual or triple flues, as you can fit the cap over the entirety of your chimney.

Navigation

Privacy Policy

Services

Air duct & dryer vent cleaning

Now serving