Custom Metal Chimney Caps - Cost, Benefits, & Installation
Any family with a real fireplace knows that, as much fun as it can be to roast marshmallows on a snowy day, having a chimney can create a lot of work for a homeowner if you haven’t had a custom metal chimney cap installed.
What is a Custom Metal Chimney Cap?
A chimney cap is a metal feature that is installed to cover the entire top of the home’s chimney. This feature is part of a home’s protective membrane that keeps out the water and ice that may otherwise damage the structural integrity of the house. Chimney caps typically do 2 things to protect your home: 1) prevent water from entering the chimney and creating cracks during its freeze/thaw cycle. 2) Keep out forest debris, downdrafts, and curious animals that can create problems later on.
If your Golden, Colorado home has a real fireplace with a chimney, read on to learn what you can do to best protect your home’s structure and value.
What Does a Chimney Cap Do For a Home?
Real fireplaces are a common feature in mountain homes. While such an addition is perfect for creating cozy memories, this feature can become a liability if homeowners are not prepared.
The tops of chimneys are typically constructed with a flat cement pad on the very top. This pad will see the most weathering since it is horizontal and water/snow/ice/hail will sit on it for extended periods of time. In the winter, snow will collect on top of this cement pad and when temperatures drop at night, melted snow will turn to ice. When water freezes in cracks or crevices, it expands, which can create cracks in the cement pad and its veneer (rock, brick, stucco or siding).
5 Benefits of Getting a Custom Metal Chimney Cap Installed On Your Home
Chimney cap installation can effectively prevent water from damaging the masonry. In addition to water intrusion, it offers other benefits:
Chimney caps prevent small animals like birds, racoons, and squirrels from nesting inside the chimney. In rare cases, small animals have been able to enter the home through the chimney. There is also the risk of animals dying inside and stinking up your home.
The spark arrestor mesh in chimney caps is designed to catch embers and prevent roof fires. (Please note: roof fires are relatively rare because most roofs have Class A fire-resistant shingles or tiles; however, it never hurts to exercise additional caution when it comes to fire).
Chimney caps offer a nice aesthetic that makes a home look neat and tidy. If you are planning on selling your home soon, a custom metal cap can do wonders for your home’s curb-appeal.
Chimney Cap Installation vs Flue Cap: What Does My Home Need?
There are many different caps and covers that can be installed on a chimney.
If you are unsure the best way to protect your chimney, simply give Troost Roofing a call. In addition to meeting the roofing needs of local Golden homeowners, our team also specializes in installing chimney caps.
Chimney Cap vs. Flue Cap
The best way to visualize this is that chimney caps cover the entire top of a chimney. Flue caps are smaller and merely cover the flue opening.
Both items will keep water, animals, and debris out of your chimney, however the flue cap will not protect the structural integrity of your chimney. Chimney caps cost significantly more than flue caps.
Chimney caps typically are made from 20 gauge galvanized steel and are welded for water-tightness. They may last upwards of 50 years.
How Much Does a Custom Metal Chimney Cap Installation Cost?
As every homeowner knows, the money put into things like the roof, siding, and foundation are an investment into the value of your home. The custom chimney cap cost is no different. Homes require custom caps that are sized to the exact dimensions of the chimney in order to ensure a proper fit.
In general, getting yourself a custom metal chimney cap will cost between $500 and $1,500 depending on the height, size, and shape of your chimney.
A standard chimney cap is made from galvanized steel, which has a silver color. If you feel like silver won’t match your home’s aesthetic, you could pay a little extra for Troost to drop off the cap so you can pickle, prime & paint it prior to installation. Some homeowners may opt for a copper cap, which is brown instead of silver. However, copper is simply a softer metal, therefore won’t be quite as durable as a steel.
There is no one-size-fits-all custom chimney cap cost since all homes are different. Give Troost Roofing a call to get a personalized estimate for the cost of your new chimney cap!
Who Performs Chimney Cap Installation in Golden, CO?
Homeowners in Golden, CO who have a chimney made from stone or brick typically have 2 options when it comes to repairs and maintenance: you can call a mason or Troost. Both professionals are necessary in the construction of a new home; however, the nature of your home’s wear and tear may require one more than the other.
3 question to help you determine if you need Troost or a mason for your home:
What kind of shape is the chimney in?
If your chimney is separating from the rest of your home, has visible cracks in it, or is shedding chunks of stone or brick, then that is a job for a mason.
2. If there is a leak, where is it coming from?
Leaks can occur in a few different scenarios when it comes to chimneys. If water is entering your home through the bricks or stone of the chimney itself, then a mason will be needed for tuck pointing. However, if the water is coming through your roof or down your wall in an area adjacent to the chimney, then it may mean a roof repair is necessary. In this case, Troost can re-install flashing around the chimney and tie the replacement weatherproofing into the rest of your roof’s features.
3. If only the cement pad atop the chimney is damaged, what kind of solution works best for your home and budget?
The cement pad on top of your chimney sees the most weather, thus it is the most prone to damage. When a cement pad begins to crack or separate, homeowners have 2 options for a potential solution.
The first solution is to hire a mason to replace or patch the cement pad. This is a solid fix; however, cement work can have a lot of variables that affect its success. Factors like the makeup of the mix, the temperature, if there is direct sun, and how the mason applied the mixture will determine if the new cement pad will last its full, estimated life of 25 to 30 years or if it will once again crack prematurely.
The second solution is to hire Troost to install a custom metal chimney cap over the cement pad to protect both it and the interior of the chimney. While this option can be more expensive, it offers a more surefire, long-term solution. Not only does a chimney cap offer additional protection, galvanized steel caps that are welded at the seams typically outlast concrete pads 2:1. Whereas a properly mixed cement pad can last 25 to 30 years, a properly installed chimney cap can last 25 to 50 years.
For many homeowners, a chimney cap is more cost-effective in the long-term than hiring a mason to patch or replace the cement pad. In general, the custom chimney cap cost is higher but it lasts longer. However, there are scenarios where a cap is the cheaper option. For example, masons typically aren’t big fans of climbing onto roofs and addressing tall chimneys, so - depending on the height of your home and chimney - a mason may charge significantly more in labor for the inconvenience. Troost, on the other hand, is up on tall roofs all day long and won’t charge you an extra arm and a leg just for working at height.
Call Troost Roofing For All Your Roof and Chimney Needs!
Still unsure who to call to help with your chimney? When in doubt, get in touch with Troost Roofing! Troost’s professionals will be able to evaluate the source of the damage and determine if the problem can be best fixed by a mason or by a roofer. If the Troost team determines that a mason is needed, we are happy to recommend masons who we have worked with in the past.
