The Protective and Performance Enhancing Functions of Chimney Caps
The chimney flue should relay smoke from the fireplace out of the house. You don’t want small animals such as birds making it their home. That would cause all sorts of problems. You also want to keep the embers from escaping and causing a forest fire. That would be irresponsible. Rain and snow should be kept out as well. A good chimney cap provides the solution to these concerns.
Materials for modern American homes
Copper chimney caps have a lifetime warranty. An expert in metal fabrication can offer you a good deal. Copper is expensive, which makes stainless steel more palatable to homeowners. The warranty for stainless steel is comparable to that for copper. You can have a plain stainless steel chimney cap or follow the fashion and paint it black.
Traditional chimney caps are made of clay tile. These days, metal is the preferred material because it is fireproof. However, two of the most popular options, aluminum, and galvanized steel, tend to start deteriorating after a few years in arid climates. These metals also react to combustion gases. They are affordable and useful, but they must be replaced when corroded. Nevertheless, metals perform much better than masonry mortar. Moreover, bricks do not keep well and deteriorate rather quickly.
Chimney cap design basics
Typically, the cap supports are screwed onto the chimney tile. An effective chimney cap should channel precipitation away from the opening and protect it adequately from snow and hail. Side screening prevents small animals from entering the opening.
The chimney draft must flow without interruption. As such, there is a clearance of at least five inches from the flue’s top to the cap. Improving the draft may be necessary, and the design of the cap should accommodate specific needs. Moreover, the design must facilitate a powerful upward force that prevents the smoke from being blown back into the house. Chimney caps may be designed to have a direct effect on the flow of smoke and adjusted to accommodate the proclivities of local wind conditions.
A cap specific to your needs
If you are not satisfied with the chimney caps being offered by roofing suppliers, then be prepared to shell out a few extra bucks. A shop can make a customized cap for you so that the material, color, and design do not clash with architectural elements of your house.
All you have to do is to describe the lid and choose a mounting style so that they can fabricate a configuration specific to your preferences. Find a custom metal workshop and see for yourself if they provide flexible or rigid liner openings. If your chimney liner size is not standard, perhaps the most logical choice is to work with a metal fabricator.
A chimney cap is a safety feature. It protects the chimney flue from the elements and small animals. It is a spark arrestor that keeps your roof from catching fire from escaped embers. Aside from these benefits, the cap improves the performance of your fireplace.
