Chimney Cap vs. Chase Cover: What's the Difference?
Chimney caps and chase covers are often confused because they both protect the top of a chimney, but they are different components used on different chimney types. The one you need depends on whether you have a traditional masonry chimney or a factory-built (prefabricated) chimney.
The Short Answer
A chimney cap is a covering that sits over the flue opening to keep out rain, animals, and debris, and it is used on masonry chimneys. A chase cover is a larger metal top that covers the entire open top of a factory-built chimney's chase (the framed box that houses it). Put simply: masonry chimneys use a cap; factory-built chimneys use a chase cover, usually with a cap on top of it as well.
Chimney Cap
A chimney cap covers the flue opening itself. It typically includes a mesh screen and a top, keeping out rain, animals, birds, and debris while still allowing smoke to vent. Caps are used on virtually all chimneys, masonry and factory-built alike, because every flue benefits from being covered.
Chase Cover
A chase cover is a flat or sloped metal sheet that covers the entire open top of a factory-built chimney's chase, the framed, often siding-wrapped enclosure. It seals the whole top against water, where a cap alone would leave the surrounding area exposed. A cap is then mounted on the flue that passes through it.
Which One Does Your Chimney Need?
It comes down to your chimney's construction. Here's how to tell what you're looking at:
- Masonry chimney (brick or stone all the way up): You need a chimney cap over the flue. There's no chase to cover.
- Factory-built chimney (a framed box, often wrapped in siding or metal, with a flue pipe inside): You need a chase cover to seal the top, plus a cap on the flue that comes through it.
- Not sure which you have? A quick look, or a professional inspection, settles it. If the top is a wide, flat surface rather than solid masonry, it's a chase.
The Bottom Line
They aren't competitors, they solve different problems. On a masonry chimney, a chimney cap is what protects the opening. On a factory-built chimney, a chase cover seals the top and a cap protects the flue, so you often need both.
The most common problem we see is a rusted or failing chase cover on factory-built chimneys, which is a frequent, and often overlooked, source of leaks. If you're seeing water issues and have a factory-built chimney, the chase cover is one of the first things worth checking.
Need a Cap or Chase Cover?
We install and replace both across the greater San Antonio metro and Texas Hill Country. Not sure which your chimney needs? We'll take a look and tell you honestly, with a free estimate and certified, insured technicians.