Why chimney pots

Here's a handy tip: to keep leaves and animals out of your flue, just cut and adhere a small piece of metal screen to the top of your chimney pot before installation. A small bead of silicone caulk does the trick. And check local codes—certain mesh sizes may even double as a spark arrestor. Installing a chimney pot requires only a few basic tools and some mortar.

Step-by-step installation instructions can be found at ChimneyPot. Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from.

By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Add Exterior Style with Chimney Pots. By Ola Lessard. Pinterest Email Pocket Flipboard. What's In a Name? Photo by Courtesy ChimneyPot. Thanks for signing up! Why A Chimney Pot. Why a Chimney Pot? What purpose does it serve? Prevent Excessive Back-Draft A chimney pot can help solve backdrafting problems. Prevent Creosote Build-up A chimney pot can help prevent creosote build-up.

Chimney pots have been utilized worldwide and the styles, materials, and designs can vary. Chimneys with more than one pot sitting on the top of it can indicate that there are multiple fireplaces sharing the chimney on different floors inside the home. Pots sitting on the crown on the chimney can also offer protection from the weather. Chimney pots give the opening on the chimney extra coverage to keep out debris from trees like leaves, acorns, and sticks, while also protecting the interior of the chimney from rainfall, snow, ice buildup, and small rodents or birds that find their way inside chimneys to make nests and seek shelter.

Rainwater and excess moisture are typically not problematic for chimneys, as the masonry is designed and created from materials to encourage quick evaporation to prevent moisture from retaining and seeping to the interior.

Rainwater can collect at the base of the chimney, and in this situation, weep holes are included at the base to prevent water from retaining. The designs of chimney pots can range from a standard tube shape piece to elaborate constructions featuring dragons, candy-styled twists, castle-shaped tops, and even chimney pots with rain guards for additional protection.

The pots placed on the top of the chimney must be constructed to accommodate its size. Certain chimney styles feature larger chimneys and flues, and so pots like Jumbo American E, the Magnum Windsor, and the Stafford Magnum are all made to fit these extra-large chimneys to offer better drafts. Magnum chimney pots can be built to reach six feet high and cover flues that expand over two feet in width.

For the most popular and original chimney pot, the tapered terra cotta pots were originally designed for draft purposes and have been widely used in America since the early 19 th century.

Terra cotta pots are so efficient and durable that they can last centuries! Depending on what style and how elaborately designed you want your chimney pot will determine the price of how much it costs.

You can even choose cowls which have been designed for a specific purpose, including anti downdraught features and those fitted with bird guards. This can save time, money and stress further down the line, knowing your chimney pot is protected without affecting its ventilation if having a cowl fitted.

Those chimneys not in use should consider capping, helping to protect the chimney stack from damage where wind, rain and snow have helped them deteriorate over time. For those worried about capping affecting the aesthetics of their roof, you can find many high quality products in terracotta, as well as other designs which blend in perfectly with your traditional chimney stack. Many homes in Kenley , Caterham and Banstead often need chimney caps replaced.