We believe that every chimney would benefit from a protective raincap!

WHY?

1) Water Is The Big Enemy! When it penetrates masonry, it activates acids and causes masonry corrosion and rusting dampers. It breaks things up when freeze-thaw cycles occur. It leaches out both calcium salts and sooty deposits and then stains chimney exteriors, and even interior house walls. Water carries odors and encourages moss and lichen growth, as well as mold. Raincaps are your first and best line of defense!

2) Raincaps with meshed sides keep out critters that can block venting, with their nests and dead bodies, and also spread disease and parasites and cause horrible damage if they get inside your house. We often have to deal with birds, squirrels, flying squirrels, and raccoons who are happy to call your chimney home.

3) Meshed raincaps also guard against sparks and flying embers emerging to damage roofs or start structure or brush fires.

Types of Raincaps

1) Stainless Steel ~ Our biggest seller can be single flue caps, but are usually custom fit to cover the whole chimney top for maximum protection. Comes with meshed sides. Lifetime warranty. Can be spray painted black for a small extra charge.

2) Copper ~ Handsome, similar to stainless steel but less durable, and 3 - 4 times more expensive. Long lasting but no warranty provided. Can be allowed to age ("brown up") or can be pretreated to preserve burnished copper look.

3) Bluestone ~ Masonry construction with 1 1/2" - 2" thick gray blue slate on brick pillars, usually 4 bricks high. Handsome and usually meets any "historic district" requirements. Mesh protection is extra. Durable but no specific warranty. More difficult to service. Custom-sized; about twice as expensive as stainless stee.l

4) Peaked "Bishops" Style Cap ~ Brick construction. Distinctive but expensive and somewhat impractical with regard to servicing. Often existing on older, unlined chimneys.

5) Chimney Pot ~ Striking European good looks, but hard to service. Doesn't always protect much of the chimney top itself. Clay construction or copper construction — wide variety of decorative designs. Usually one pot per flue.