If you have a chimney, you might face a plethora of issues ranging from animals, moisture, downdrafts, and more. If you have such problems, then you need to get the best chimney cap for the rain to ensure that your chimney is protected against harmful elements. Chimney caps come in a variety of types and features, which may make you feel a bit overwhelmed when you are trying to buy one.
Luckily for you, this guide should tell you everything you need to know about them and the top chimney caps in the market today. Are you wondering what are the best adjustable chimney cap, critters, and other harmful elements? Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered!
To make your journey easy, I have presented here the list of 7 perfect Chimney Caps:
What is a Chimney Cap?
A chimney cap is placed on top of a chimney to protect it from various undesirable factors. Every chimney comes with a flue which is the main duct that allows smoke and chemicals to travel up and exit from your home. As this duct is open, your chimney gets exposed to rain, moisture, and small animals to enter.
Rain, in particular, can cause the dampers to rust and even weakens the wall around your chimney. Over time, this can lead to some serious damage and expensive chimney repair costs. With the right type of chimney cap, you can prevent such hassles and save money, time, and effort.
Benefits of Using A Chimney Cap for Rain
- The numerous benefits of using a chimney cap for rain are as follows:
- It helps to protect your home from all insects and small animals
- Offers protection to the chimney against rain, snow, and other factors
- Doesn’t allow moisture to enter the chimney and cause corrosion
- Restrict entrance of dampers that could weaken walls
- Works as an umbrella under severe weather conditions
Here is a summary of some of the chimney caps that currently exist within the marketplace: Let’s go
1. Chim Care Wind Directional Chimney Cap
- It prevents cold air from entering and downdrafts
- The exterior mesh allows smoke to exit freely
This one comes with four different size options, a stainless steel cap, and a lifetime warranty. It is important to note that this product is made for only non-air-cooled chimneys. With high-quality construction, it can easily withstand very high wind conditions and prevent cold downdrafts from occurring. With several size options available, all you have to do is measure the dimensions of your chimney before you buy one to find the right size.
The installation is really simple with this product which is always a plus. All you have to do is place it in the proper position and lock the clamp firmly. As it is made out of stainless steel, it will be resistant to corrosion and rustproof. Maintenance-wise, you do have to clean it now and then to ensure it performs efficiently.
The stainless steel body makes it shine well. The design may not be appealing, but if it is functionality you care about the most, you are good to go. If you are looking for a wind-directional chimney cap that comes with high-quality construction, easy installation, and very low maintenance, then this is one of the chimney caps available.
- This chimney cap comes with good-quality construction
- Installation is simple and doesn’t take much time or effort
- It comes with a Lifetime Warranty
- Not suitable for air-cooled chimneys
- The design isn’t very attractive.
2. Chim Care Copper Chimney Caps
- It can withstand harsh winds
- It efficiently circulates the smoke and other harmful gases out
This gorgeous chimney cap is designed for those who have a masonry chimney. As copper is very durable, you don’t have to worry about it getting lodged off even in the harshest of winds. The construction is rock solid as real copper is covered over stainless steel. It comes in three different size options and covers most masonry chimneys easily. It is always wiser to double-check its compatibility, though; just to be safe.
Top-mounted chimney caps are very easy to install. All you have to do is mount it on top of the chimney crown and lock it with screws. It’s heavier than stainless steel or galvanized steel caps, so you may need help with the installation.
Its most amazing quality is its design. It looks amazing when placed on a brick chimney. Over time, copper forms a green patina, which compliments the red color of the chimney very well. However, its beauty does come at a cost as you have to do regular maintenance to preserve its natural look. So be aware of that before you buy this. On the other hand, if you aren’t bothered by its looks that much, you have nothing to worry about.
- The design looks spectacular
- It’s durable
- It’s made in the USA
- You get a Lifetime Warranty with it
- It requires regular maintenance
- It doesn’t have additional functionality apart from protection
3. Lindemann Chimney Damper Cap
- It can withstand extreme temperatures that range from -85 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- 3/4 mesh screen keeps critters away
- It keeps out hot air in summers and cold air in winters
This one may not look attractive, but it is a solid chimney cap that comes with a lot of convenience and functionality. The cap comes at a 15% extra size, which adds an extra layer of protection from the elements. The overall quality is good, and it is durable enough to withstand strong winds. On the downside, only one size is available for this model. You can always contact the manufacturer and see if they can provide a custom-made one.
The body is made out of 304 stainless steel, which makes it strong and resistant to corrosion and rust. This makes it the perfect choice for those who live in regions that have varying climatic conditions. The mesh design with the extra-large cap makes it perfect for preventing ice and snow from building up too.
Installation is fairly easy, and it comes with a sealant that you can use to fasten the damper. Its standout feature is of course, its ability to retain hot air in winter and cool air in summer. If you are looking for the perfect chimney cap for a wood fireplace insert as far as energy savings are concerned, then this one is worth looking at.
- It helps you to save on energy bills
- It comes with a removable lid making it very easy to clean
- It can withstand extreme temperatures
- It effectively prevents unwanted heated air loss
- Closing the damper might be a bit difficult at times
- It’s not that attractive to look at.
4. Rockford WeatherShield Chimney Cap
- Flawless stainless steel construction
- It comes with a self-adjusting spring base
- Removable lid
If you have an air-cooled chimney, then what you need is a compatible chimney cap, and that’s exactly what this is. It can be used for double or triple wall round fireplace chimney pipe and comes in a wide variety of size options to suit your demands.
It is made out of 100 percent stainless steel, which makes it resistant to corrosion and rust. It can brave various weather conditions without getting worn down or damaged. One of the unique aspects of this product is that the manufacturer allows you to order either a 1/2 or a 1-inch mesh as per your requirements. To get this option, you will have to contact them directly though.
What allows it to fit either double or triple-wall air-cooled chimneys is its unique design and construction. It utilizes a unique spring-based connector which allows it to adjust itself according to the space around it for getting a secure and convenient fit. Installation is fairly simple, but some might find it to be a little bit difficult as it comes with several parts.
- The steel mesh is removable, which is great for regular maintenance
- It efficiently keeps small animals, birds, and debris out
- Great value for money
- It comes in multiple size options
- It might be difficult for those who are unfamiliar with installing chimney caps.
5. HY-C BigTop Multi-Flue Chimney Cap
- Removable hood
- Designed for double flue chimney cap
- This prevents sparks from escaping the chimney
If you have multiple chimney flues and need an efficient cover, then this would be a chimney flue cap. It comes in three different size options and two color options. It is important to note that the galvanized steel variant is not recommended for use where oil and coal are burned, or in chimneys, where wood/pellets are used. So if you are looking for a chimney cap for a wood stove, then this isn’t the best option.
Regarding the build quality, it is available in both galvanized steel and stainless steel. If it’s durability you seek, then stainless steel might be a better choice, but if you are on a tight budget, then the other option would be better. For chimney cap installation, you get top-mark masonry screws and an all-weather resistant adhesive with it, which makes installing it a lot more convenient. It might be a bit confusing for those who aren’t handy with tools, but you do get a manual with detailed instructions.
To see if these caps are compatible with your single-flue chimney, you can check out the product page, which gives a detailed explanation on how to get the right measurements whether it is a single flue or if you have multiple flues. This chimney cap provides an elegant aesthetic to your chimney and helps you keep your chimney safe from weather, pests, and ascending sparks.
- It comes with a 7-year limited warranty
- The adhesive that comes with it is excellent
- It features an elegant design
- It can be used for both single-flue and multiple-flue chimneys
- Installation may be quite tricky for some
6. The Forever Cap Multi Flue Chimney Cap
- Knockdown design
- The removable hood offers convenience
- The large hood offers great protection
Sometimes, simplicity is the best way to go. This one may not be the best-looking chimney cap on the market, but it provides good comfort when it comes to installation and maintenance. With stainless steel construction, it is very durable and resistant to corrosion and rust, which are important qualities for a good chimney cap.
It comes in a knockdown form which helps to reduce shipping costs considerably and makes installation a lot more fun. Some of the parts come with slotted holes, which makes it a lot easier to mount on your chimney. None of the parts have very sharp edges, which is always a plus when it comes to installation.
The mesh design not only keeps critters out but also prevents creosote from building up. This is very important to note as creosote is toxic after all and you don’t want it anywhere in your chimney. To see if it will fit your chimney, you will need to measure the overall chimney crown size including length and width. Then you have to subtract 3 inches from the width and length to see if it will fit on your chimney.
- Installation is pretty easy
- High-quality construction
- It comes with slotted holes for easy mounting
- It doesn’t come with any sharp edges
- The design looks bland and uninspired
7. Wind Directional Chimney Cap
- Prevents downdrafts from occurring
- Efficiently sucks out smoke and other gases
- Design is highly functional
Similar to the first product in the list, this one is also a wind-directional chimney cap from Chim Care, which means you can expect it to be of a certain caliber when it comes to quality. The stainless steel construction is almost perfect as it can withstand high-speed winds with ease. Design-wise, it looks pretty unique with a bottom-heavy aesthetic.
The core functionality of a wind-directional chimney cap is to prevent cold downdrafts, and this one does that very efficiently. Its unique design allows it to restrict the wind around the chimney crown to enter the flue, which in turn prevents cold downdrafts.
The velocity of the air in strong winds helps in reducing the static pressure on top of the chimney, which creates a vacuum of sorts that sucks all the smoke and other gases out. The stronger the wind, the higher the suction power, which makes it a good choice for factories or homes that burn a lot of wood or fuel in their fireplace.
When it comes to installation, you need to be aware that this chimney cap will fit only those chimneys that are either 1 inch larger or 1.5 inches smaller than the size option (any of the three) you choose. So make sure you measure the size of your chimney accurately. It is a bit expensive though, which is another reason why this would be a better choice for commercial purposes rather than residential ones.
- You get a Lifetime Warranty with it
- Superb build quality
- The design looks very unique
- Very good size options which make it a good fit for most chimneys
- It’s a bit expensive
Things to Consider When Buying Chimney Cap
With so many options available in the market, it could be a bit overwhelming to find out the chimney cap for your specific needs. Figuring out the chimney cap for fireplace inserts, the chimney cap for the wood stove, and so on might look like a difficult task in the beginning. To help you out in this matter, here are some of the different factors you need to be aware of before buying.
Type of Chimney:
These are three things to consider:
- the type of chimney you have (masonry or prefabricated)
- the number of flues it has, and
- the shape of your chimney.
Each type of chimney will have a corresponding type of chimney cap, so you need to make sure that the product you are looking at is compatible with your chimney.
Chimney Cap Size:
Each type of chimney cap might need a different process of installation. With the outside mount chimney, measuring the length of the chimney walls and the flue’s height is necessary.
For these, you will need to buy one that is at least 5 or 6 inches taller than the height of your tallest flue. For flue stretcher caps, you have to measure both the outside length and width.
Material:
A variety of different types of chimney cap material. Each type of material, like galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and copper, comes with both advantages and disadvantages.
Ones that are made out of galvanized steel usually come at more affordable prices, but they won’t be as durable as other types. Aluminum chimney caps offer good resistance to corrosion but are weak against powerful winds. Stainless steel chimney caps are expensive but are very durable.
If looks are important to you, then a copper one would be the best bet, as it would offer great durability and an amazing look and feel. However, they are pretty expensive.
FAQs:
What is the Best Chimney Cap for Wind?
This mostly depends on the purpose as you get both wind-directional chimney caps and wind-blocking ones. Wind-directional chimney caps rotate according to the direction of the wind and are designed to split the air current.
Wind-blocking ones, on the other hand, create a partial vacuum and suck all the smoke and odor out of the chimney. Stainless steel and copper, however, are the best materials to withstand strong wind currents.
Do You Really Need a Chimney Cap?
Absolutely! Without one, you always run the risk of your chimney and the surrounding walls getting damaged over time. This could incur a substantial amount of money and effort in the long run. It could also allow small critters to easily get into your home through your chimney.
How Big Should a Chimney Cap Be?
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all chimney cap and so the size you need will depend mostly on the size and type of chimney you have. If you have any questions regarding whether a particular cap will fit your chimney or not, you can always contact the manufacturer and get their feedback.
What is the Cap of a Chimney Called?
The cap of a chimney is called a chimney crown. Its main purpose is to ensure that the top is protected from water damage and other external factors and is made out of cement.
Does Rain Go Down a Chimney?
Yes, it does. Rain is one of the biggest issues that plague homeowners who have a chimney. Over time, it can lead to several devastating consequences, such as corrosion, rust, and even damage to the wall surrounding your chimney. With several product choices available, buying the chimney cap for rain is quite simple.
How Does a Chimney Cap Work?
Different types of chimney caps come with different core functionalities. Wind-directional ones rotate with the wind and help to prevent downdrafts. Wind-blocking ones excel at pushing out all the smoke and other gases out of your chimney. Irrespective of the different types of chimney caps, all of them help you protect your chimney from harsh weather, pests, and animals.
What is the Suitable Chimney Cap Design?
There is no single answer to the question of which is the better chimney cap when it comes to design. Certain designs excel at fulfilling a particular purpose, whether it is blocking wind, keeping out pests and animals, or looking great on top of your home.
Final Words:
Just like any other product out there, you need to research well before buying something like the best chimney cap. Read about the product you are interested in and make sure the product offers everything you are looking for. Ideally, you would want one that not only provides excellent functionality but also a good aesthetic.
When it comes to sizing, you have to accurately measure your chimney. If you have any queries about what size you need to go for, don’t hesitate to contact the manufacturer. Happy shopping!