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If you have more than one flue on your fireplace, you will need a multi flue chimney cap. This cap is what surrounds the top of the chimney brick, protecting the masonry from outdoor elements such as rain and snow. In addition, a multi flue chimney cap will help keep unwanted critters from entering the home via chimney. Although some people have just one flue, a multiple flue design is also common.
What we wanted to do was provide you with information pertaining to the various cap options, which are made for both single and multi flues. Keep in mind that although the materials are used across the board, it is important when shopping around or ordering that you make sure the particular material you like comes in a multi flue chimney cap. Unfortunately, caps have become a confusing issue, which we hope to clarify.
The type of multi flue chimney cap you go with will depend in part on the type of chimney you have, metal, or masonry. First, a standard, multi flue chimney cap is one that can be made from various materials to include stainless steel, copper, aluminum, and steel although stainless steel and steel painted black are the two most popular choices. Typically, this type of multi flue chimney cap will be designed by side screening, which is designed to keep small animals and birds out of the chimney.
The standard chimney cap can also be installed onto the chimney in a number of different ways. For instance, this multi flue chimney cap may be attached using screws around the base angle, which are then tightened to the flue tile, one of the most common options. The installer will be able to choose the best installment solution once he/she looks at your particular chimney. Many people believe that the standard cap offers the best functionality.
Another type of multi flue chimney cap is called a draft increasing design. Sometimes, people will experience problems with drafts. By choosing a draft-increasing cap, wind is used for creating a better updraft. The nice aspect of this chimney cap is that it works well with both metal and masonry. Additionally, the draft-increasing design looks nice, while making your fireplace operate more effectively.
You will also find the multi flue chimney cap with an integral damper mechanism. Many times, older fireplaces do not have a very good damper mechanism, which means you could experience a cold draft indoors when not burning a fire, or having significant wasted energy when you are burning a fire. With this type of multi flue chimney cap, you have a top damper that features a special cable, which helps control the damper by running down into the flue and being activated with a lever that has been attached to the inside of the fireplace wall.
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