How Tall Should My Chimney Caps Be?
© 2006, PennVentures LLC

Standard chimney caps come in a variety of heights. Some brands of chimney caps are available in heights ranging from 8 inches to 16 inches, but most chimney caps have 10" tall screens. 

The height of a chimney caps is often called the "screen height." It refers to how tall the mesh screening of the chimney caps is. It is one of the dimensions that describes chimney caps. A chimney cap described as a 9" x 13" chimney cap is designating the length and width of the screened in area but not the height of the screen. A 9" x 13" chimney cap might have a screen height of 8 inches, 14 inches, or some other height. 

So does the screen height of chimney caps matter? Yes and no. If you are using chimney caps that attach to the flue of the chimney, you won't have to worry about flue height. Such chimney caps are designed with a screen height that allows proper air circulation for your chimney.

All of the chimney caps below attach to the flue of the chimney, so if you are using chimney caps such as these, screen height would not be a dimension to consider when ordering these chimney caps. The first three chimney caps below are examples of chimney caps that attach to the outside of the flue. The fourth chimney cap has legs that are forced down inside the flue. Whether your flue extends two inches above the crown of your chimney or two feet about the crown of your chimney, these chimney caps will have an appropriate screen height. 

Note, however, that chimney caps that attach to the flue of the chimney are only appropriate for single flues. If you have two or more flues on a chimney, individual chimney caps will work only if there is enough space between the flues to allow for the lid (or "roof") of the chimney caps. Often it is less expensive to purchase one chimney cap that covers the two or more flues ( a multi-flue chimney cap) than to attach individual chimney caps to each chimney. Many think the multi-flue chimney cap gives a tidier appearance, too.

If you will be using chimney caps that attach to the chimney, you will need to think about the height of the chimney cap's screen. To provide for proper air circulation, a chimney cap that attaches to the crown of a chimney must be at least five inches taller that the height of the flue. Chimney caps with screens with less than five inches of free space between the top of the flue and the lid of the chimney cap can create an unsafe condition!

Chimney caps that attach to the crown of the chimney are available for individual flues as well as for multiple flues. The first three examples of chimney caps below are chimney caps that attach to the crown of the chimney. Chimney caps such as these have flanges at the bottom that are affixed to the chimney's crown. The fourth chimney cap below is an outside mount chimney cap, one that attaches to the outside edge of the chimney. Because chimneys rarely have corners that are exactly right angles, outside mount chimney caps are custom made to fit each chimney with the exception of our Band-Around Chimney Caps.

If you want to cover either a single flue or multiple flues with a chimney cap that attaches to the chimney crown, measure the height of your tallest flue and add 5 inches. That will be the minimum appropriate screen height. 

If you need a chimney cap with a screen height of more that 10 inches, consider the Assemble-It-Yourself and Save Chimney Caps by Whitecaps. These chimney caps are available in either stainless steel with heights of 8", 10", 12" or 16" or in copper with screen heights of 8", 10", 12" or 14". The Assemble-It-Yourself chimney caps attach to the crown of the chimney. When assembling these chimney caps, you have the option of placing the bottom flanges inside the chimney cap or outside the chimney cap.

If you need a chimney cap with a screen height of more than 16 inches (or want any other custom-made chimney cap), email us or phone us at 888-8FIREPL (888-834-7375), and we will give you a quote on having a chimney cap custom made for you with the appropriate screen height. If you email us, please include your phone number so we can provide you the best possible service.

If you are ready to go up on the roof and measure for your chimney cap, take our Chimney Cap EASY MEASURE Guide to help you correctly measure for your cap.

FireplaceMall Article Library Index   Chimney Cap Articles How to Select Your Chimney Cap: Everything You Need to Know!   Picture Guide to Types of Round Flues: Help Selecting the Appropriate Chimney Cap for Round Flues   Quick and Easy Selection Guide for Chimney Caps for ROUND Flues   How to Install Your Chimney Cap   Checking Your Chimney Caps: How to Assess Their Condition   Chimney Caps with 3/4 Inch Mesh or Chimney Caps with 5/8 Inch Mesh:  What's the Difference?   How Tall Should Chimney Caps Be?   Chimney Pots or Caps to Conceal Chimney Exhausto Fans   Damper Articles Improve Your Home's Energy Efficiency with a Fireplace Damper   Fire Articles How to Make a Good Fire in Your Fireplace   Fatwood: Nature's One-Match Kindling   Fireback Articles Firebacks: Which Type is Better for My Fireplace?   Increase Your Fireplace's Energy Efficiency with a Fireback   Fireplace Accessories Articles Are Silver or Chrome Fireplace Accessories Right for Your Hearth?   A Quick Guide to New and Traditional Fireplace Screen Shapes   Fireplace Candelabra Articles Decorating Secrets for Making the Most of Your Fireplace Candelabra   Candle Tips for Fireplace Candelabra   Fireplace Candelabra Serve Outdoor Needs, Too   Fireplace Problems How to Clean Your Fireplace   Smoky Fireplace? Here's How to Fix It   Stinky Fireplace? Solutions for Fireplace Odors   Firewood Articles How Much Firewood Do I Need?   5 Reasons Early Spring is the Time to Buy or Gather Firewood for Your Fireplace or Woodstove   Learn the Experts' Tricks for Selecting and Storing the Perfect Firewood   Mantel Articles Decorating Your Fireplace Mantel with the "Three Plus One" Trick   Fireplace Mantel Mirrors: Five Mirror Decorating Tricks for over Your Fireplace   Decorating a Fireplace Mantel:  Candlesticks and Fireplace Accessories   Bring the Beach to Your Fireplace Mantel   Outdoor Fireplaces, Fire Pits, and Fire Bowls How to Select Outdoor Fireplaces, Fire Pits, and Fire Bowls   Safety and Use Tips for Outdoor Fireplaces, Fire Pits, and Fire Bowls   Seasonal and Holiday Fireplace Articles Autumn Theme Decorating for Fireplace Mantels   Halloween Hearth: Treat Your Fireplace to These Fireplace and Mantel Halloween Decorating Tricks   Thanksgiving Day Fireplace Tradition   Before You Hang Your Stockings by the Chimney with Care, Be Sure Your Fireplace is Santa-Ready   Christmas Fireplace Safety   Decorating Your Fireplace Mantel for Christmas: Holiday Photos   Decorating Your Fireplace Mantel for Christmas: Fill Up the Glassware with Free or Inexpensive Wintery Items   Decorating Your Fireplace for New Year's Eve and Day   Five New Year's Resolutions for Your Fireplace and Chimney   A Sweetheart of a Fireplace Candelabra: A Special Valentine's Gift   Decorating Your Fireplace for Springtime and Easter

Chimney Cap EASY MEASURE Guide from FireplaceMall

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