The cap and crown are your chimney’s roof. The crown is the concrete slab that sheds water off the top; the cap is the metal cover with mesh that keeps rain, animals, and embers out of the flue. When either fails, water and wildlife get in — and the damage adds up fast.

Cap vs. crown — what’s the difference?

The crown is the sloped concrete or mortar slab covering the top of the masonry. The cap is the metal hood that sits over the flue opening itself, usually with spark-arrestor mesh. You need both: the crown protects the bricks, the cap protects the flue.

Signs your cap or crown is failing

• Rain or a dripping sound inside the fireplace
• Animals, birds, or nesting debris in the chimney
• A cracked, crumbling, or missing crown
• Rust stains running down the exterior masonry
• Downdrafts blowing smoke or cold air into the room

Caps we install

We fit stainless-steel and copper caps sized to your flue, single- or multi-flue, with heavy mesh to stop birds, squirrels, and embers while still allowing proper draft. Custom sizes are no problem for older Fox Valley chimneys.

Crown repair & rebuild

Hairline crown cracks can be sealed with a flexible crown coating. A crown that is spalling, missing chunks, or lacks an overhang is better recast with a proper drip edge so water is thrown clear of the bricks. We will show you which your chimney needs.

What it costs

A standard cap install is one of our most affordable services; crown work depends on the extent of damage. Both are quoted as a flat up-front price — see the pricing page.

Frequently asked questions