Chimney Caps

What Is A Chimney Cap



Have you ever driven through a neighborhood and while looking at the chimneys saw one with a little hat on top of it and wondered why? Maybe it even looked nice and it made you think about having one of your own.

Chimney caps are little structures or attachments at the tops of chimneys that serve a variety of purposes, besides just being decorative. They also come with several options depending on what type of chimney you have, which we’ll touch on later in this article. Any homeowner with an active chimney should consider a chimney cap. Let’s explore what they’re all about in a little more depth.

How Important Is A Chimney Cap

The value of a house is increased by having a chimney, and everyone likes a nice-looking brick facade to accent their home. Nice brickwork, detailed tuckpointing, and clean edges are all things that draw the eye when considering a chimney, but the cap is important too. You don’t want something shoddy or poorly crafted at the peak of your home. Aesthetics are something to think about even with something as simple as a mesh or brick chimney cap. Think of the cap as the star on a Christmas tree. It draws the eye, so why not choose something that stands out a bit?

The wrong kind of chimney cap can invite disaster. When a fire is burning in the hearth embers and sparks can travel up the chimney and escape. This is a fire risk to your roof and yard, as well as your neighborhood, which a chimney cap could prevent. A mesh small enough to prevent these embers from escaping is crucial for a cap. You don’t want the mesh to be too small, however, since inclement weather can have an effect as well. Snow and ice can pack into meshing and cause a backflow of smoke into the house. A chimney cap is also important for keeping rain out and preventing water damage to the mortar or rust to metal chimneys or liners.

An uncapped chimney doesn’t just pose an issue to the home. It’s also an appealing spot for small animals looking for a place to nest such as birds, squirrels, or even the occasional brave raccoon. Not only is this another potential issue for chimney obstructions and smoke build-up, but it’s also a health concern for both the family as well as the animals. And moisture buildup and animal droppings can increase the risk of mold or disease. Not to mention the smoke and embers from the fireplace can harm unwelcome, furry visitors. This means it’s best all-around to prevent them from nesting in the first place, if at all possible.

Types Of Chimney Caps

The number of different types of chimney caps might come as a surprise to most. The biggest determining factor in selecting a cap is what sort of chimney you have. Certain designs won’t be available on every type of chimney, so knowing what you have to work with is important. Especially in cities with bigger weather concerns such as the Portland area, Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Gresham, where high wind and rain can be a major concern. It’s critical to select something durable and watertight and there are several options, ranging from a basic metal mesh cap in copper or steel (stainless or galvanized), or a brick cap to match the chimney. Brick caps can often include a metal lining and a mesh to keep animals or debris out too.

Stainless steel is the most durable for a metal chimney cap, though is usually a little more expensive. Galvanized steel is cheaper but won’t last as long. Aluminum caps are common, and while not very durable, are a little more resistant to weather erosion than galvanized steel. Copper is a common choice too as it can sometimes have a great cosmetic effect on the aesthetics of some homes. Copper is fairly durable and tends to be a more expensive option. A lot of metal caps are square for simplicity, or sometimes round and air-insulated (double thick wall or mesh) to reduce wind backdrafts in the chimney. Brick caps have the advantage of being custom-designed to match your chimney and your home, but these are usually custom jobs tailored to the individual. They often include a metal piece depending on how the design work is done, which is a discussion to have with the professionals when evaluating the scope of the work.

When To Repair Or Replacement A Chimney Cap

Water damage is much more of an issue than one might assume. It’s not just a matter of mold or decay, but when moisture freezes and expands it causes cracking and degradation in the chimney. This can happen to the chimney cap as well, which is why a water seal on the cap is so important. If the seal breaks or if the cap is damaged by wind, animals, or falling debris, it may be time to repair or replace the cap. You may also need chimney tuckpointing work done if it’s a brick cap or if the damage extends past the cap. This may seem like a pain but it’s important to consider the longevity of your chimney as a whole. A smaller repair job can save you major reconstruction later down the road, especially if caught early.

If it’s just the water seal that breaks it might be possible to simply reseal the cap to restore its effectiveness. However, if the cap is damaged in another way, through inclement weather or animals, it may be necessary to replace the cap entirely. Lighter caps can have issues with wind shear, or heavier caps can have weight or balance issues. Or a cap might get replaced simply because a homeowner decides it’s time for a makeover to their chimney. Either way, a professional consultation is usually the best way to get the ball rolling and assess all the options available. Information is key and knowing what sort of chimney you have, the factors regarding your home, and any environmental issues unique to your area are all things to consider.

DIY Dos And Don'ts

Chimney capping may seem relatively easy but the biggest step is knowing your type of chimney. Do you have a single flue or multiple? What shape is the flue? Round, oval, rectangle, square? Is it extended or angled? Different shapes need different considerations. For example, caps can be bolted or clamped on, but round ones can also have an insert design. If it’s round and not extended a cap can simply be bought and inserted into the top of the chimney. If you have multiple flues the most common setup is a top-mounted cap attached with screws or adhesive, though these are effective with single flues as well. Round caps can be easily fit to round metal chimneys while brick may include a metal liner. Be mindful of building codes as well, different cities may require different mesh sizes. The most common is ¾ or ⅝ inches but should be looked up ahead of time to be sure.

This is all to say that there are things to consider when evaluating a chimney cap. The wrong cap can impact the chimney’s effectiveness or even damage it in the long run. You want to make certain that you’re aware of all of these issues when settling on your design to make the right fit for the chimney. As most caps are made from aluminum, galvanized stainless steel, or copper, the right one will depend on your preferences and budget. If you're concerned with potential repair or replacement issues remember that most caps come with warranties when professionally installed, which are often voided through DIY work.

When To Call The Professionals (US!)

If at any point any of this seems confusing or overwhelming feel free to give us a call! We’re always happy to help with any questions or concerns and be on hand for consults and to plan out the best possible chimney cap for your needs!

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