Chimney Cap Vs Damper

If you have neither a chimney cap nor a top damper the best solution is to install a combination chimney cap damper.

Chimney cap vs damper.

We would like to tell you more about the functions of chimney caps and dampers and how a top end damper works. On the other hand the sides of a chimney cap always allow air to flow. Mostly all fireplaces aside from gas will have a damper somewhere in their chimney system. They also keep rain out pretty well though not as well as a chimney cap explained later and will keep larger animals out even when open.

Throat chimney dampers unlike the top mounted damper which is obviously located on the upper end of the chimney the throat damper is located more towards the fireplace. The payback period is different for different people but top sealing dampers pay for themselves over time. Some have a spark arrestor screen and some are constructed like a standard chimney cap and will keep the rain out even when open. Fireplace and chimney authority offers a wide variety of chimney caps from stainless steel copper and galvanized metal.

Top dampers with chimney caps whenever your top damper is open rain or unwelcome visitors like birds squirrels bats or rats can enter. The best solution is to install a chimney cap that is compatible with your top damper. In the case of fireplaces it also slows down the heated house air from going up the chimney. Chimney caps provide protection against natural hazards and debris while chimney dampers essentially act as a seal and are able to prevent air loss and down drafts.

A rain cap a chimney cover or an animal guard is something that mounts over the top of the flue. A damper is a device which slows down the flow of smoke. Chimney dampers the fundamental difference between chimney caps and dampers is that dampers shut off the flue restricting airflow. The inability for a chimney cover to close does work for gas fireplaces however since gas logs produce carbon monoxide all gas fireplaces must be open at all times.

This is the main purpose of a fireplace damper.