Old World Craft Finds New Use in Modern Home Design: The Return of the Copper Chimney Pot

Most homeowners see the business end of a chimney as the hearth. After all, this is the part that throws off warmth and adds visual charm to the interior of a room. Architects and builders; however, regard the chimney top with equal importance. The chimney top is usually the tallest point on the house and is often a home’s visual pinnacle. One of the best ways to visually enhance the chimney top is to add a chimney pot.

Chimney pots have been around for hundreds of years. First as a necessity in that they extended the exhaust point of fireboxes which often burned coal. Later as chimney pots became the standard for chimney tops, they became a status symbol. At one time, England even had a special tax just for chimney pots. Likely brought to America by French and English settlers, the chimney pot has a prominent place in the design and construction of distinctive American homes and estates.

As home science and building techniques advanced, functionally, the need for chimney pots was eliminated. The advent of zero clearance or prefabricated fireplaces as well as the use of round metal  exhaust pipes for furnaces and other appliances offered a functional albeit unsightly alternative to the beloved masonry chimney and the ornamental chimney pot. But what may have been functionally acceptable was not esthetically pleasing and homeowners are turning to the chimney pot as a way to not only cover but enhance their chimneys once again.

Chimney pots come in a variety of materials including iron, cast cement, and copper. The latter being the most popular due to its versatility and distinctive look. Many homeowners have custom copper pots made to include architectural features of their homes. They are placed as stand alones atop a chimney or in clusters on a multi-flue crown. Considering most are made using time honored crafting techniques, these are affordable, easy to install, and made to last a lifetime.

Chimney Caps for Your Home

How to Buy the Right Chimney Caps for Your Home
If you are a homeowner and you have to replace a chimney cap, chances are, it is your first time you are doing so. If
you do your homework and you’re willing to pay a little more than you probably want to, you can also make it the last time you have to replace your chimney cap. There are only a few key things you need to know about chimney caps to make your purchasing decision quick and painless. In this article we are going to go over those key points and give you some recommendations.

Your Chimney
First of all, what kind of chimney do you have? There are only a few different kinds so identifying your chimney should be easy. Most chimneys have one or more flues that stick up in the middle of the chimney. The flue is typically orange, made of clay, and lines the inside of your chimney and protects the brick from the heat of your fireplace. The shape of the flue or flues will determine what style of chimney cap that you will need to purchase. The three most common shapes are round, square and rectangle.

If you were adventurous enough to climb up on your roof to take a closer look for yourself, you may find that you have a flue that is square or rectangle yet has rounded edges. Some homeowners may consider these to be oval flues, however, for our discussion they are still considered square or rectangle.

• If you have only one flue and it is round, then you need a round, single flue chimney cap.

• If you have only one flue but it is square or rectangle, then you need a standard single flue chimney cap.

• If you have more than one flue, then you need a multi-flue cap. Note: in some instances you can use more than one single flue chimney cap instead of a multi flue chimney cap but it is typically not recommended.

• Many new home builders are installing factory built fireplaces and chimney systems into new homes. If you look at your chimney and you do not have a clay flue but you have a round metal pipe, then you need a chimney cap for a metal chimney.

Chimney Cap Material
Once you have determined what type of chimney cap you need, you will want to consider what type of material you want the chimney cap to be made from. Chimney caps are made from the following materials:
• Stainless Steel
• Copper
• Black Galvanized

Stainless Steel
If you want to purchase a chimney cap made from a quality material, stainless steel is a very good option. The chimney caps are made from 304 grade stainless steel which is going to do an excellent job of resisting corrosion. The finish is a silver color that has a moderate shine to it. Custom colors are also available for stainless steel chimney caps upon request. Because stainless steel is such a durable metal, the stainless steel chimney caps come with a lifetime warranty.

Copper
Copper is also considered a high quality material for chimney caps for much of the same reasons as stainless steel. It is a durable metal, it is structurally rigid and it does not excessively corrode. In addition, copper is aesthetically pleasing and can add an excellent accent to the outside of your home. Once copper is introduced into the environment it will weather and the color will change. Copper is the highest quality metal used for creating chimney caps and comes with a lifetime warranty.

Black Galvanized
Galvanized steel is the third material that is used to fabricate chimney caps. The steel is coated with zinc which helps prevent corrosion. In addition, the chimney cap is painted black which again helps protect the steel from rust and corrosion. However, the galvanized metal does not hold up well after a couple of years. The metal will eventually rust out requiring the cap to be replaced. These chimney caps come with only a three year warranty. This may be a solution for some homeowners, but if you are looking for a cap that you will not have to replace in the near future, you should consider the stainless steel or copper.

Sizing
Once you have decided the type of material you want your chimney cap to be made from, you will need to find the right size. If you are afraid of heights, you may need a little bit of help with this one. The following discusses how to get your measurements for each type of chimney cap.

Round Single Flue Chimney Cap
These chimney caps will fit overtop of a round clay flue tile and attach to the flue using pressure mounting screws.  These screws do not penetrate the clay flue tile but do hold the chimney cap securely in place when they are tightened down. The size that you need depends on the diameter of your flue tile. Be sure to measure the flue tile end to end going all the way to the edge of the flue tile. In other words, you need the diameter of the entire flue tile, not just the diameter of the hole. The flue tile is typically ¾” to 1 ¼” thick, so using the outside dimensions instead of the inside dimensions is very important. Once you know the diameter, view the chimney caps sizing guide which will help you determine the appropriate size chimney cap for your chimney. The round single flue caps will fit a size range. For instance, an 8” round chimney cap will fit a chimney flue that has a diameter of 6” up to 8 ½”.

Square or Rectangle Single Flue Chimney Cap
These chimney caps attach to the clay flue tile using pressure mounting screws. These screws do not penetrate the clay flue tile but do hold the chimney cap securely in place when they are tightened down. The size that you need depends on the outside dimensions of your flue tile. The flue tile is typically ¾” to 1 ¼” thick, so using the outside dimensions instead of the inside dimensions is very important. Once you have the outside dimensions, view the chimney caps sizing guide which will help you determine the appropriate size chimney cap for your chimney. The single flue caps will fit a size range. For instance, the 13” x 13” chimney cap will fit a chimney flue that has a width of 11” up to 13 ½” and a flue that has a length of 11 ½” up to 14”.

Multi Flue Chimney Caps
These chimney caps are used to cover multiple flues or to cover a chimney that does not have a flue tile to attach a single flue chimney cap to. The multi flue cap mounts to the top of the chimney using tap-con screws. Simply pre-drill the hole for the screw using a masonry bit (some chimney caps are shipped with a masonry bit, otherwise you can purchase one at a big-box store) and use a drill to insert the screw through the mounting flange on the cap into the chimney crown. Some people are easily intimidated by having to drill into concrete or brick, but a masonry bit makes it a snap and the job can even be done using a cordless drill.

To get the right size multi flue chimney cap you will need to get the measurements of the chimney crown (see diagram below). The chimney crown is the very top of the chimney; typically it is a cement slab that caps off the brick of the chimney. Measure the length (D) and width (C) of the chimney crown. Now, measure the total length (A) and width (B) around all the flues. Thirdly, measure the height (E) of the tallest flue. This is necessary because you will need to get a chimney cap that has a screen height that is 5” more than the height of your tallest flue. For example, if the height of your tallest flue is 5”, you will need a chimney cap that 10” (5” more than the tallest flue). Having 5” clearance above the flue will allow the chimney to draft properly; without it, you will end up with smoke in your house – trust me, you don’t want that.

Once you have gathered all of these measurements check out the multi flue chimney caps and decide which material you want. You then want to choose the screen size (F) that is going to give you 5” clearance above the tallest flue and a chimney cap size that is smaller than your overall chimney crown dimensions but larger than your flue dimensions. There usually are a few different sizes that will fit inside your two dimensions. You would choose the larger size if you want to have more of the chimney crown protected from rain, or you may want to choose the smaller size if you are trying to stay within a budget.

3/4” or 5/8” Mesh
You may be wondering why single flue and multi flue chimney caps have two options for mesh thickness. The mesh screen serves two functions. First, it keeps rodents and birds from entering into the chimney while still allowing for the chimney to exhaust properly. Secondly, it serves as a spark arrestor, not allowing sparks and embers to escape from the chimney and into the environment where it could cause a fire.

Many localities – primarily California, but also in other areas around the nation – have spark arrestor codes that call for 1/2" spark arrestors.

The California state building code calls for such spark arrestors on all new construction. Other California codes call for it in "wooded areas" or "within 200 feet of wooded areas" and when it comes time to sell your home, you can also bet the inspector will require you to update your chimney cap to comply with the spark arrestor codes.
To make such a reduced spark arrestor that does not clog, chimney cap manufacturers follow the interpretation that a sphere larger than 1/2" in diameter should not penetrate the screen. This is wording the National Fire Protection Association uses, as well as the one being referred to by several California localities.

Thus, the spark arrestor screens on these chimney caps measure 5/8" from center to center, but still won’t let a 1/2" sphere through. This makes them somewhat clog resistant while still meeting major code interpretations.

Chimney Caps for Metal Chimneys
These chimney caps are the easiest to determine which size chimney cap that you will need. The chimney pipe is round, so you need to measure the diameter of the chimney pipe. There are a few different types of metal chimneys, and you will need to determine from the list below which type you have.

• Single Wall Chimney – Round chimney with that is only one pipe

• Double Wall Chimney – Round chimney with an inner and outer liner (a pipe within a pipe)

• Triple Wall Chimney – Round chimney with one inner liner and two outer liners

Once you have determined what type of chimney you have, you need to determine if the chimney is air insulated or solid pack.

• If you have a single wall chimney, the chimney cap you need will fall into the solid pack chimney cap category.

• If you have a double or triple wall chimney pipe and there is insulation between the liners of the pipe, the chimney cap you need will again fall into the solid pack chimney cap category.

• If you have a double or triple wall pipe and there is only an air space between the pipes, the chimney cap you need falls into the air insulated (sometimes called air-cooled) chimney cap category.

Now that you have determined if the chimney pipe requires a solid pack or air insulated chimney cap, use the diameter of the inner most pipe to determine which size you need. For example, you have a single wall chimney that is 8” in diameter – you need a Solid Pack 8” Chimney Cap. Another example, you have a double wall pipe that is air  insulated, and the inner pipe has a diameter of 10” – you need a 10” air insulated chimney cap.

The chimney caps for the air insulated chimneys have a collar that is 15 5/8” in diameter. Some chimneys have an outside diameter that is larger than 15 5/8”. If this is the case, you need an “oversized” chimney cap. Simply follow the above steps for determining the chimney cap size that you need and choose the cap that is labeled oversized or “OS”.

This article should put you well on your way to buying that new chimney cap! For more information keep checking back here at Chimney-Caps.com!

Chimney Caps – Sorting Through a Sea of Options

When deciding which chimney cap is right for you, finding the solution is as easy as answering 3 simple questions:

How much do you want to spend?

How do you want the cap to function?

What do you want the cap to look like?

How many chimney caps does the average person buy in his or her lifetime? Some will never buy even one chimney cap. Unless you’re a builder, contractor, or chimney sweep you may have never even considered buying a chimney cap. How then, would you know what to budget for this investment? Caps range in price from single flue black galvanized caps for $40 to custom chimney caps which can cost several thousand dollars or more. There are a range of features, both functional and aesthetic, that will ultimately determine if what you want and need fits your budget.

Essentially, chimney caps protect your flue and or chimney crown from wind, snow, and rain. When it comes to function, there are two directions you can go with a cap. Your first choice is to protect your flue or flues only. You can accomplish this with single flue chimney caps, caps for metal chimneys, or multi-flue chimney caps. If you have a metal pipe flue, call a professional to help you determine if your pipe requires a special cap designed to work with an air insulated pipe. You should note that multi-flue chimney caps can also serve as protection for an entire chimney crown if you choose the right size. The second option is to cover as much of the crown as possible; thereby, covering and protecting not only the flue but the entire chimney crown. You can accomplish this using a top  mounted multi-flue cap or an outside mount chimney cap. Outside mount chimney caps are always custom  made to the exact dimension of your crown. There are special needs chimney caps as well. Some are designed to have no functional purpose whatsoever except to shroud or hide unsightly chimney pipes, caps, and flues. There are also wind resistant chimney caps designed to keep wind from causing smoke to downdraft into your living space.

Remember, big or small, on any style house, the chimney is typically the visual pinnacle of your home’s exterior. Chimney caps can significantly affect the appearance of your home. Single flue chimney caps attach to the top of the flue and can have a simple pleated flat lid or a sloped lid to match the pitch of your roof. The multi-flue and outside mounted caps can have the simple flat lids as well as the pitched lids. Some houses require more than a simple cap. Homes in historic districts, estate sized homes, or palatial buildings require chimney caps to match the architecture and detail. Copper is by far the most customizable material and a favorite choice among architects and home designers due to its distinctive appearance and flexibility as a building material. Custom copper chimney pots combined with common base caps and chase covers are a distinctive way to add an architectural jewel to any home.

Form, function, and affordability are easy to achieve when selecting the perfect cap to fit your wants and needs. Whether you are looking for the perfect chimney top for a cottage escape or a grand custom made chimney cap to crown a dream home, there is an option. Most would agree though, caps are like noses – small or large, simple or grand, your better of with one than without. Have fun and find the perfect cap!

Chimney Caps and Other Products That Solve Water Problems

Chimney caps can be used to prevent and even eliminate water infiltration. A well known home improvement specialist has a saying that I’ve always remembered –

“Water always wins!”

Ask any contractor, inspector, or builder what is the biggest enemy of the home. The wise ones will tell you – hands down – its water. Water is able to enter a home through the chimney in one of several ways.

Water can enter directly into the flue. It can creep into fractures or cracks in the crown, chase cover, or mortar joints. And finally, water can slowly absorb into the porous materials used to finish the tops and sides of a chimney. There are ways to stop all of of these things from happening, hence curbing the destruction that water does to your home.

The first step in making your chimney air tight is making sure that there are no obvious ways for water to enter via a crack or fracture. Check mortar joints for broken or crumbling mortar. You can use mix your own mortar, buy premixed, or use a mortar substitute. Break out the old fill in the gaps. If your crown is a metal chase, check the joints and reseal if needed. If the top of your chimney is cement, you may have to bust it out and replace it if it’s in really bad shape. Most cement crowns need only a little attention from one of a variety of water repellants & cleaners. Even if the bricks and cements are in good conditions, don’t forget to seal them with water repellant. This will prevent any future premature aging of your chimney.

Once you have made sure that crown and sides of your chimney are sound and water tight, the last measure of defense lies in your chimney cap. There are several options and varying degrees of protection. Because there are several types of chimney crowns and flue styles, there are an even greater number of factors that you need to consider when choosing a chimney cap.

There are specific caps for metal chimneys. If you have a round metal flue, you need to determine whether your flue pipe requires a metal chimney solid pack termination cap or a metal chimney air insulated termination cap.
Square or rectangular flue tiles require a completely different kind of cap. Adequate, but minimal coverage would be a single flue chimney cap, or a multi-flue chimney cap that is just big enough to cover the flue tile. Better coverage is a top mounted multi-flue cap that is big enough to cover most of the crown or the entire crown. The best possible protection is a custom made outside mounted chimn ey cap. These are designed to completely cover a chimney crown and overlap the sides, fitting like a shoe box cover on a shoe box.

Each of these options comes in a variety of styles and finishes. You can choose a simple black galvanized top or have an ornate cap custom crafted to your specific taste. Regardless of which cap is right for you and your budget, the most simple of caps will possibly save you thousands in repair work.

Chimney Cap FAQ’s

What happens to a chimney that has no cap?
Water infiltration and pest control are your homes biggest enemies when it comes to your chimney. A third nuisance may be air infiltration. These may be your biggest enemies – they will attack nearly every part of your home from top to bottom. Water can cause unwanted odor or premature degradation or corrosion. Birds, squirrels, bats, and other unwanted guests often find chimney flues inviting. Lastly, wind can often cause down drafting or spillover from stack to stack, filling your home with smoke or carbon monoxide.

Do I cover just the flue or the entire crown?
The choice is yours, there are caps designed to do both. They vary in functionality and appearance. There is no question that custom made outside mounted chimney caps give you the best protection for your chimney and your home, but these caps may not fit your budget or your design. Single flue chimney caps or caps for metal chimneys often provide adequate protection without straining your wallet.

Smoke sometimes comes into the house when we use our fireplace. What is the cause of this?
Talk to a professional. Creating a draft in your chimney may be as simple as cracking a window or door in the room where you use the fireplace. Some homes in extreme wind conditions such as on plains, near mountains, or off an ocean coast may experience down drafting as a result of the wind. There are specific wind resistant chimney caps engineered to eliminate this problem.

I cant seem to find a size cap to fit my chimney or flue. What do I do?
Go to the place where professionals go. Custom chimney caps can be made for every situation. You simply need to find the right source. You may be surprised by how affordable a custom cap can be.

What are my options as far as materials go?
Galvanized, stainless steel, and copper. Aluminum caps are extremely rare.

I want to replace this cap with one that will last – which material is the best option for longevity?
Stainless steel is the most affordable long term solution. Copper will last a lifetime as well. Black galvanized – depending on your environment – may start to rust out in as little as 3-5 years.

Are caps difficult to install?
If you can use a drill and a screwdriver you can install a chimney cap. Often, the most difficult part of the installation of a chimney cap is getting to the crown of your chimney. In some cases, especially on estate sized homes, this is impossible outside the use of scaffolding, or a commercial lift. If you need professional help, roofers and chimney sweeps are your best options. These trades are often equipped and experienced with high chimney tops.

My home is my palace. What are my options if I want something a bit more distinctive?
Again, custom chimney caps are available in an eclectic selection of sizes, styles, and materials. Homeowners often bring sketches or send renderings to custom fabricators. With a little time and good communication, you can bring a sketch to life and crown your chimney with a truly unique design. Gaining in popularity, are custom copper chimney pots. Builders, architects, and home designers are using these versatile covers for the ultimate in class and distinction.

Chimney Caps and Dissimilar Metal Reactions

Is it possible to turn your chimney and chimney cap into a battery? Well, not really, but in a way you can inadvertently create conditions on your chimney top similar to those inside of a battery. I can best explain by first describing the basic chemical principals of a battery.

In 1800, Allasandro Volta created a basic battery by layering two dissimilar metals – Zinc and Silver – with blotting paper soaked in salt water. Most metals are electrically conductive, however, they all differ in their conductivity. If you place two metals next to each other you’ll see very little happen. But, if you place a conductive medium between the two metals, like blotter paper soaked in salt water, then electrons will freely flow between the two dissimilar metals. This happens because one is less resistant to the flow of electrons and as soon as a port or door is opened between the two metals, electrons begin to flow freely from one metal to the other provided that the circuit between the two metals is completed.

Here is a how a simple voltaic pile is created. Place a silver plate on the bottom, then salt soaked bloater paper, then a copper plate. Repeating increases the voltage. You complete the circuit by running a wire from the very top plate to the bottom plate. The most complex of batteries all run off this simple basic design. After a while, the ions in the salted paper are used up and the battery "dies".

Now here is how this relates to a chimney top. Lets say you buy a beautiful copper chimney pot and decide to attach it to your galvanized chimney cover or chase cover. This is a common use of the increasingly popular European style chimney caps. This would not be a problem unless of course some kind of solution with charged ions simultaneously touches both metals. Rain water is the perfect solution for this reaction. The many contacts between the two metals create both positive and negative channels for electron flow and you have in essence turned your chimney top into a voltaic pile. Eventually this will result in the premature degradation of both metals and the areas of contact will quickly corrode. Eventually the contacts will "burn away" and nothing but gravity will hold the copper pot to your galvanized chase cover. It will only be a matter of time before your copper pot ends up in your neighbors yard as a result of a stiff wind. This of course will happen long after water has had a chance to flow freely into the corroded chase and infiltrate your living space.

Here’s what you can do to avoid this problem. Insulate the connections with some non conductive material like butyl stripping or neoprene washers. Better yet, eliminate the possibility altogether by replacing the galvanized chase with a copper chase.

Chimney-Caps.com – Your Guide to Chimney Caps for Your Home!

Chimney-Caps.com will be featuring a number of different product reviews and instructional videos for your
convenience.

Also featured will be general information to help you find the right chimney cap for you and your home. Finding the perfect chimney cap doesn’t have to be confusing or hard. Chimney-Caps.com will explain the different styles and materials that are available to help you determine which will work best for you.

This blog will include maintenance and safety tips to ensure that you gain the greatest benefits from your cap.

Stay tuned for upcoming product reviews and the latest information on chimney caps!