Three products cover chimney tops, and homeowners often confuse them when ordering our chimney caps and chase tops service. Ordering the wrong one wastes money. Here’s a clear breakdown of what each does and when.
Chimney Cap
What it is: A small hood-shaped cover that fits over a single flue opening. Made of stainless steel, copper, or occasionally cast material. Mesh screening on the sides keeps out animals; the top deflects rain. (For the full rundown of what a cap protects against, see what a chimney cap does.)
Fits on: Individual flue openings on masonry chimneys.
Cost: $250–$500 for stainless single-flue.
Best for: Every masonry chimney with a flue opening. If your chimney has multiple flues, you need either a cap for each or a single multi-flue cap covering all of them.
Multi-Flue Cap
What it is: A larger cap that covers two or more flues on the same chimney with one unit. Common on chimneys with a fireplace flue plus a furnace flue.
Fits on: Multi-flue masonry chimneys where all flues are close together.
Cost: $500–$800 for standard stainless.
Best for: Chimneys with 2–3 flues, when a single elegant cover is preferred over multiple small caps.
Chase Cover
What it is: A large flat or sloped sheet metal cover that seals the entire top of a framed (prefab) chimney chase. Chase covers have holes for the flues, plus separate caps for each flue that pokes through.
Fits on: Framed prefab chimneys — usually seen on newer suburban homes where the “chimney” is actually a wood-framed chase around a factory-built fireplace.
Cost: $600–$1,500+ for full replacement in stainless.
Best for: Any framed chimney chase. Original chase covers are often galvanized steel that rusts through in 10–20 years and needs stainless replacement.
Decorative Chimney Top
What it is: A custom masonry or stone element at the top of a chimney. Made of bluestone, cast concrete, or matched brick. Serves both as weather protection and as decorative crown detail on historic and estate homes.
Fits on: Historic Colonial, Federal, and Victorian chimneys where matching the era matters aesthetically.
Cost: $1,500–$5,000+ depending on size, material, and detail work.
Best for: Historic Wethersfield, Windsor, Farmington Valley, and West Hartford homes where a plain stainless cap would look wrong. Often includes hidden flue caps under decorative stonework.
Quick Decision Guide
- Single-flue masonry chimney → Single-flue cap
- Multi-flue masonry chimney → Multi-flue cap (or one cap per flue)
- Framed prefab chimney chase → Chase cover + flue caps
- Historic home where appearance matters → Decorative chimney top with hidden flue caps
Materials Ranked
- Copper — 60+ years, patina, premium look
- 316 stainless steel — 20+ years, marine-grade, best mid-tier
- 304 stainless steel — 15–20 years, our standard
- Bluestone / cast concrete — 40+ years for decorative applications
- Galvanized steel — 10–20 years, corrodes at cut edges
- Aluminum — not recommended for CT winters
Book a Cap or Chase Cover Consultation
Not sure what your chimney has or needs? Send us a couple photos or book a free virtual assessment. See our chimney caps and chase tops service or contact us.
Chimney Caps & Chase Tops
Chimney cap, chase cover, and custom top installation. Stainless steel, bluestone, and flue screening — keep out rain, animals, and downdrafts.
Learn About Caps & Chase Tops