Water is the number one enemy of a masonry chimney. If you can keep most of the rain off the chimney, you can dramatically slow deterioration caused by freeze-thaw cycles. While a properly built concrete crown is an excellent solution, it isn't the only one. A custom-built full coverage chimney cap can protect the entire top of the chimney while offering several additional benefits.
Just like a proper crown, the full coverage cap acts like an umbrella keeping a majority of rain off the chimney. With this cap installed, wind-blown rain will still land on the windward side of the chimney but the rest of it will usually remain dry. Without it, the entire chimney will be wet every time it rains.
Unlike a proper crown, the full coverage cap also prevents animal intrusion. It replaces the individual flue caps most chimneys use. Those old caps are often rusty, unsightly, and easily damaged. Sometimes multiple flues are too close together for those individual caps to fit correctly so they were damaged upon initial installation. The full coverage cap protects all the flues and does it with style.
These caps are available in different styles and colors. They are usually stainless steel but are also available in copper. Stainless steel caps can be powder coated to enhance the look and match or contrast the house.
