Fireplaces can be classic, cozy features in any home. But, if the fireplace system isn’t working correctly, it can actually be dangerous to the people inside.
One of the oft-overlooked but crucial components of the system is the chimney cap, which protects the chimney from rain, snow, animals, debris and so much more. Not only that, but well-functioning chimney caps help to optimize draft, reduce blockages from creosote and protect the chimney flue — all of which ensures not only a clean but a safe chimney.
Chimney caps come in various sizes and finishes, including copper, black galvanized steel and stainless steel. Which one you should choose depends on a number of factors, including where your home is located, what’s around it and what look you want on your home.
No matter what you choose, it’s important to understand the role your chimney cap plays in the overall health and safety of your fireplace system, and how you should properly maintain it.
Types of Chimney Caps
There are many different types of chimney caps, each which fits different types of chimneys and fireplace systems, and each which serves a specific purpose.
The most common type is called a single-flue chimney cap. These include a single flue cap and are assembled completely with welded construction.
They are available in custom designs as well as materials, offering homeowners great choice when it comes to style. From a functional standpoint, single-flue chimney caps offer improved draft capability as well as durability against the harsh weather conditions that are often prominent in Michigan.
If your chimney has multiple flues, then you’ll likely want to opt for a multi-flue chimney cap. These caps are designed specifically for these types of chimneys and provide a much more secure fit than a single-flue chimney cap for them.
You can also opt for a mount multi-flue chimney cap, which is also made for chimneys that have multiple flues.
All All Brick, we offer a two corbel course for chimney caps, one that is made of brick and one that is made of limestone, along with a parged concrete cap. This construction offers excellent design and aesthetics, while also providing top-notch structural support to your chimney and chimney cap.
Materials for Chimney Caps
When you are choosing a chimney cap, you’ll be faced with many different options in terms of the materials that it’s made of.
Many homeowners like black galvanized steel chimney caps because they not only provide a sleek finish but are considered very cost-effective. At the same time, these are considered the least durable and are much more susceptible to rust than some other materials are. That’s why even though they might cost less up front, it could be more expensive over time as you’ll have to replace it more often.
Along the same lines, aluminum chimney caps provide an affordable option but also corrode much more quickly. They typically require replacement or repair well before other types of materials do.
Perhaps the most common material choice for chimney caps is stainless steel. That’s because they provide a nice balance between reasonable cost and reliable performance.
They are both rust and corrosion resistant, which makes them ideal for the harsh weather that Michigan homes are faced with. Many stainless steel chimney caps also come with longer warranties than some other materials for these reasons.
If you’re looking to add elegance to the exterior of your home, then you should consider copper chimney caps. While they might be considered decorative to some, they do provide superior resistance to corrosion.
At the same time, they are on the expensive side, sometimes double what chimney caps made of stainless steel cost.
Chimney Crown and Cap Relationship
While the chimney cap is a crucial part of your overall fireplace structure, it has a very important relationship with other parts as well. How the chimney crown and cap work and fit together is crucial for ensuring that your chimney system is functional and safe.
The chimney crown is the chimney’s top surface. It’s essentially a slab that will cover the top of the chimney. The cap is installed on top of the chimney crown, which provides coverage for the flue.
The chimney crown, meanwhile, covers the entirety of the chimney and all its components. This component, then, provides protection for both the sides and interior of the chimney itself.
Like chimney caps, chimney crowns are made from different materials such as concrete, stone or metal. They need to be waterproof so that they can ensure that the chimney system is completely effective and to prevent against erosion.
As mentioned, chimney caps are installed on top of the chimney crown, protecting the interior of the chimney from moisture, debris and animals. They work to disperse water away from the chimney.
Well-designed chimney caps should perfectly complement the chimney crown and provide a secure fit. If the two components don’t work in unison with each other, then your entire chimney will not function properly.
Air Cooled Chimneys
Air cooled chimneys are a specific type of chimney that is traditionally used in a wood-burning fireplace. These open fireplaces don’t produce a lot of heat, which means that these chimneys may not be subject to some of the fire testing requirements as other chimneys.
Air cooled chimneys also don’t have any insulation. To remain cool, they use the inner flue to circulate cold air through them. While this system is designed to reduce draft, they also increase the possibility of creosote forming.
As such, air cooled chimneys require specialized chimney caps that will provide a secure fit to ensure wind resistance. If your fireplace system has an air cooled chimney pipe, it will also require a chimney cap that doesn’t interfere with the specific features of the system.
If you have an air cooled chimney, it might be a good idea to opt for a premier chimney cap. These are designed specifically for air cooled chimneys so wind-related draft problems are solved.
Specialty Chimney Caps
Single wall chimneys also require specialized chimney caps that can provide superior resistance to corrosion in what are hostile flue gas environments.
Coal tar creosote and wood tar creosote are types of creosote that can potentially form in chimneys. By using specialty chimney caps, you can work to minimize the buildup of creosote.
Creosote is a dark brown oil that’s thick and flammable. While it’s often used as a wood preservative for industrial applications, it’s also a chemical that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulates.
Since it can present significant health risks, it’s not a chemical that’s typically available for residential use. In terms of fireplace systems, creosote is a natural byproduct of burning certain materials, but it can be very damaging to the fireplace if buildup occurs — and potentially harmful to people, too.
That’s why it’s important to have a chimney cap that works well for your specific chimney while also not ignoring a design that fits the unique style of your home.
Installation and Maintenance
For your chimney cap to function properly, it must be installed correctly. That’s why it’s so important that you hire a professional mason who’s experienced with chimneys and chimney caps so you can have a safe system.
In addition to quality installation, it’s important to conduct regular maintenance of your chimney cap. This will help to prevent creosote from building up and ensure optimal performance.
WHether you have a single flue chimney cap or a multi flue cap, it’s important to regularly inspect and clean them, identify any potential issues and address them as soon as possible.
Choose the Right Chimney Cap and Right Contractor for the Job
When you’re choosing the right chimney cap material for your Michigan home, you should carefully consider factors such as durability, corrosion resistance, style and cost.
By understanding the different types of chimney caps, the materials available and the requirements for installation, you’ll be better prepared to make an informed decision that ensures your chimney system is functional and safe.
Conducting regular inspections, cleanings and maintenance of your chimney cap, you can also help to ensure optimal performance and prevent the buildup of creosote.
Another important aspect of a properly-working chimney cap is the contractor you choose to install and/or repair it.At All Brick, we have been mastering the art of masonry for more than 10 years now. For more information, or to get a free quote, contact us today.
