|
How to Select and Measure for a
Top Mounted Chimney Cap for Single or Multiple Flues:
Chimney Caps That Attach to the Chimney Crown
© 2010 PennVentures, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top Mount Chimney Caps (typically used with  multiple flues but  also used with chimneys with a single flue) mount on the concrete crown of the chimney.
You can attach them either with Tapcon screws that go through pre-drilled holes in the chimney cap flanges and then into the crown, or you can attach them with Chimney
Cap Adhesive that affixes the chimney cap flanges to the cement crown.
|
|
|
|
|
Which metal is best for a top mount or multi-flue chimney cap?
Multi-flue chimney caps are manufactured from stainless steel, copper, and galvanized steel. Stainless steel is the best value for the dollar. Copper is the most
elegant, especially for historic or upscale homes. Stainless steel and copper chimney caps come with a lifetime warranty. We can have some stainless steel top mount chimney caps
powder coated with black or colored heat resistant finishes for you. Galvanized steel is the least expensive and the least durable. Galvanized steel chimney caps are painted black.
Copper is not recommended for light colored chimneys. Stainless steel is the preferred metal for salt water climates.
Whether you are using a top mount chimney cap for one or more flues, here's how to measure for and select the right chimney cap:
|
|
What to Measure:
|
|
|
You need to take three measurements in order to choose the correct top mount chimney cap.
- First, measure the length and width of your entire chimney, as shown by the red dotted line
in the diagram to the right.
- Next, measure the length and width of a rectangle just big enough to include all the flues on your chimney, as shown by the
black dotted line. This is the minimum screen size.
- Last, measure the height of the tallest flue above the top of the chimney, as shown by the blue dotted line
.
|
|
|
|
|
Your chimney cap can be any screen size between the dotted red rectangle and the dotted black rectangle. Most chimney caps have mounting flanges that add
1 1/2 inches to each side of the screen. So, for example, a top mounting chimney cap with a screen size of 13 by 17 inches will cover 16 by 20 inches of the top of your chimney. The
Assemble-It-Yourself Whitecaps chimney caps can be installed with the mounting flanges inside the screen (facing toward the flues) or outside of it (facing toward the edges of the
chimney.)
|
- If your goal is to protect the top of your chimney from deterioration
caused by weather and acid rain, choose the largest screen size that will fit within the red dotted line.
- If your goal is to be as economical as possible, select a chimney cap the size of the black dotted line.
|
|
Some chimney caps are taller than others. The height of the screen part of a chimney cap is the screen height. There must be at least 5 inches of clearance between
the top of your tallest flue and the lid (or roof) of the chimney cap. Select a chimney cap with a screen height 5
inches above your tallest flue (at least 5 inches taller than the blue dotted line.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Whitecaps Copper Top-Mount Chimney Caps
Over 450 Stock Sizes: from 9" x 9" to 29" x 41"
Custom Sizes Available, Too!
8", 10", 12" & 14" Screen Heights
With Regular 2 1/2" Overhang Lids
or Large 4/12" Overhang Lids
|
|
|
Whitecaps Stainless Steel Top-Mount Chimney Caps
Over 450 Stock Sizes: from 9" x 9" to 29" x 41"
Custom Sizes Available, Too!
8", 10", 12" & 16" Screen Heights
With Regular 2 1/2" Overhang Lids
or Large 4/12" Overhang Lids
|
|
|
Chim Cap Stainless Steel Top-Mount Chimney Caps
Over 85 Stock Sizes: from 9" x 9" to 28" x 28"
Custom Sizes Up to 73" x 73"
All 10" Screen Height
|
|
|
Gelco Copper Top-Mount Chimney Caps
4 Stock Sizes: from 14" x 14" to 17" x 41"
All 8" Screen Height
Custom Sizes Available
|
|
|
Gelco Stainless Steel Top-Mount Chimney Caps
22 Stock Sizes: from 9" x 9" to 17" x 58"
8", 12" & 16" Screen Heights
Custom Sizes Available
|
|
|
Gelco Galvanized Top-Mount Chimney Caps
8 Stock Sizes: from 14" x 14" to 17" x 41"
8", 12" & 16" Screen Heights
Custom Sizes Available
|
|
|
Designer Lattice Top-Mount Chimney Caps
in Verdigris Copper, Copper or Stainless
30 Stock Sizes: from 8" x 8" to 36" x 36"
10" Screen Heights, Any Custom Screen Height
Custom Sizes Available
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Still have questions about just what type of flue you have or which chimney cap you should select? Just call our friendly
Chimney Cap Experts at 888-834-7375 or e-mail us your question or concerns.
|
