Your chimney is an important part of creating a home full of cozy heat and free of smoke. What many don’t realize is that there are a number of different components to a chimney that allow it to function at its best. One of the most important parts of your chimney is the chimney cap. Sitting atop your chimney system, the chimney cap is providing multiple important functions for your home.
What Does a Chimney Cap Do?
The chimney cap sits above the opening of your chimney’s flue where it prevents water, birds and debris from entering your home. It also keeps animals that are looking for a warm and dry place to build a nest from becoming your live-in neighbor. In addition to keeping things out, it also allows smoke and other byproducts that come from burning to escape, so that your home remains properly ventilated and warm.
Because it is such an important part of your chimney system it is important to make sure your chimney cap is properly installed and free of defects. Loose, bent, corroded, or improperly installed chimney caps can cause expensive damage if not corrected. At Lords Chimney, we are experts at spotting defects and making sure your chimney is functioning at its most efficient capacity.
All that being said, sometimes you might need to upgrade or replace your chimney cap. So, which type is right for your needs?
5 Types of Chimney Caps
Fortunately there are many different types of chimney caps available. This means that whether you are updating your chimney cap to match the look of a remodel or replacing a chimney cap due to damage, there is a chimney cap for your needs. Here are five types of chimney caps and why they might be the perfect fit for you.
1. Single-Flue Cap
The single-flue cap is perfect for chimneys with only one flue. It is designed to cover the one opening and provide a protective barrier against rain, snow, and debris. These caps can be made from many different metals such as stainless steel, copper, or galvanized steel. They are durable and cost-effective. They provide basic essential protection to your chimney, while remaining durable and affordable.
2. Multi-Flue Cap
The multi-flue cap is designed specifically to cover chimneys with multiple vents. There are a wide variety of designs and materials available, so that they can be customized to fit over several flues at once. For homeowners with multiple flues, these caps offer a more affordable solution for protection than purchasing and installing multiple single-flue caps.
3. Outside Mount Cap
The outside mount cap is installed directly on top of the chimney crown. Its design extends beyond the edges of the chimney which results in additional protection against damaging moisture. This cap is also wider which allows it to push water further away from the chimney. You can find these caps designed for both single-flue and multi-flue chimneys, and they offer a simple installation process.
4. Specialty Caps
Specialty caps are perfect for chimneys with a unique build. They are specially designed with individual chimneys in mind. These caps often offer specific functionalities to enhance protection for the chimney. For example:
Wind-resistant caps: These caps are designed to further prevent downdrafts caused by strong winds by redirecting airflow. This is important for your chimney to be able to allow smoke to rise up and out like it should.- Spark arrestor caps: These caps are a great choice for homes or cabins that are built in locations that are prone to wildfires. Their design minimizes the chance of sparks from the inside rising up and out with the smoke and then landing on flammable roofing materials.
- Draft-increasing caps: Sometimes the design of a chimney doesn’t allow it to vent smoke and fumes as well as it should. These caps create a vacuum effect within the chimney which draws the smoke and fumes up and out at a higher volume.
- Decorative caps: Decorative caps provide homeowners with special designs to match the aesthetics of their home. While still fully functional, they may be formed into various shapes and sizes, as well as use different materials to compliment the look and feel of the surrounding architecture.
5. Full-Coverage Caps/Covers
Full-coverage caps are also known as chase covers and they are built to fully cover the chimney in its entirety, so as to provide the maximum protection possible. They are most often installed over prefabricated or factory built chimneys in order to fully keep out moisture, animals, and downdrafts. These caps/covers almost provide the best value to homeowners, as they provide comprehensive protection, look great, are easily installed, and last a long time.
Count On Our Experts Every Time
Lords Chimney offers you a team of experts who have a lot of experience helping people find the perfect chimney cap to provide protection for the chimney, keep the home dry and warm, and look great – all at the same time.
Call us today or book with us online to learn how we can help you make sure your chimney is capped to perfection.