Chimney caps are a protective cap that goes on top of a chimney to blockout rain, snow and other forms of natural elements from entering within the chimney space. The cap is responsible to protect the internal structure of your chimney and to ensure that your chimney works optimally for a longer period.
While the most common chimney caps are made up of steel or copper mesh, there are other materials as well that go into their making. In this article, we are going to talk about 7 different chimney caps & how they differ from each other. So without further ado, let’s read about the different chimney caps.
What is a Chimney Cap?
The purpose of a chimney cap is mainly to prevent water, snow or hail from entering in the chimney area. If you look at it the other way, it also prevents embers from escaping & causing a fire.
A chimney cap usually has a ring of metal mesh around the edges of the cap allowing smoke to release. It also prevents entry of vermin, rodents & birds who often find their nesting ground in chimneys.
Weather Shield Chimney Cap
As the name suggests, a weather shield chimney cap is responsible for protecting the chimney from harsh weather conditions. May it be rain, snow or hailstorm, the weather shield chimney crown is designed in such a way that it prevents moisture from getting into your chimney areas. It is often made of galvanized metal such as stainless steel or aluminum and is great for areas that often see high winds & colder temperatures.
Since, weather shield chimney caps are corrosion resistant, it makes them an ideal option for many chimney tops. They can work best on both, prefabricated chimney spaces as well as masonry chimney areas. The installation process of these chimneys is fairly simple making them an ideal choice for different residential & commercial properties in NJ. If you’re looking for a strong chimney cap to prevent harsh weather, this might be the perfect option for you.
Top Mount Chimney Cap
The top mount chimney caps are best for multi-flue chimney areas. They are available in different materials, primarily in stainless steel or copper which makes them an ideal choice for most chimneys. Some designs also feature a self-locking serrated flange nuts, removable lid and easily adjusting mounting flanges which gives them an edge over other chimney cap options.
If the flue of the chimney rises above the crown and attaching a weather shield chimney cap seems a bit of a challenge, a top mount chimney cap is your best bet in this situation.
Just like weathershield chimney caps, top mount chimney caps are also available for both pre-fabricated & masonry chimneys.
Electric Draft Chimney Caps
Indeed, one of the innovative designs in chimney caps are none other than electric draft chimney caps. And here’s a good thing about electric draft chimney caps! They include a pre-installed fan too.
Depending on the outside weather and the fire condition, you can easily adjust the fan to your desired settings & create a seamless draft within your fireplace.
Standard Chimney Cap
Standard chimney cap is the most common type of chimney cap often installed on chimneys.
They are in-line with the tile of the chimney flue and are appropriately screwed to the top of the chimney. To keep things out, the cap is fastened to the chimney crown. The standard caps have screens for animals and are also good for catching big sparks that fly up from the fire & through the flue.
The best thing about a standard chimney cap is that it increases updraft in windy conditions.
Read More: The Hidden Dangers of Black Mold in Your Home’s Ductworks
What To Do If You Want to Install a Chimney Cap in New Jersey?
There are multiple chimney caps available in the market. Finding the right one can be challenging but not when you have experts from Alpha Clean Air to assist you. We have professional expertise and years of experience in finding the best parts for your chimney repairs and replacements. Our professional will come to your location, inspect your chimney & suggest the best chimney cap for your chimney openings.
Whether you’re looking for a traditional or a modern type chimney cap, contact our team at (888) 502-3828 and get your chimney cap installed today!
