Which chimney cowl

If draft is not an issue for you, certain types of cowls can also be installed to prevent squirrels or birds from entering your chimney flue.

It's actually quite common for a bird to fly into a chimney flue, whether it's by accident or they're looking for a place to nest.

Once inside the chimney they're difficult to remove and if the animal dies inside, you're left with a horrible smell for many weeks. To solve this issue you can purchase a cowl that serves multiple purposes. The rain cap on top of the cowl prevents water from dripping down into your flue.

Also, the wire mesh on the outside serves as a spark arrester and a device to repel birds and animals. The device is easy to install, just make sure you purchase a size that properly fits your flue. It is possible for leaves and other debris to collect along the outside screen which will reduce draft inside your chimney. To solve this issue, simply remove the cowl and clean it when necessary. If you're experiencing downdraft or back puffing due to high winds, mountainous terrain or poor chimney construction, try installing a wind directional cowl to solve these issues.

Chimney cowls are some of the most useful chimney accessories you can get, and though not essential, they are necessary for protecting the home and making the most of your wood burner.

If you want to do this, you are going to need to come up with ways of choosing precisely the right chimney protector for your home. There are so many excellent ideas that can play a role in this, and you have to plan for the future by making the right kind of cowl investment right now. So What are Cowls?

What Do Chimney Cowls Do? Do Chimney Cowls Reduce Draft? Get Rid of Smoke from Your Living Room Another of the big problems when it comes to having a chimney in your house is the issue of smoke. Stop Birds Nesting A big problem that a lot of homeowners have is dealing with birds nesting in the roof, or, in some cases, in the chimney.

Keep the Rain Out The weather can sometimes be adverse; wet and wild springs to mind. Different Types of Cowl When you are trying to choose a cowl for your chimney, it is essential to make sure you get the right one, and this means assessing the available different types. Facebook Email Print Twitter Pinterest. Recent Posts. The way in which bird guards work is much simpler. A lid and wire surround helps prevent weather or birds from getting in.

The chimney cowl you choose depends on the type of chimney you have and any specific problem which you are trying to address. Interestingly, there are certain chimney cowl designs and styles which are directly associated with specific areas. You should also consider the age and style of the building when picking the traditional style of chimney cowls in your area.

In terms of practicality, stainless steel is the best choice for most applications. Not only is it corrosion-resistant, but can usually be painted to suit the aesthetic of the building. That said, your specific needs may mean that a different material choice, such as an aluminium or terracotta chimney cowl , would be more suitable. As they have a particularly elaborate design, spinning chimney cowls tend to be the most expensive option. The Aspirotor is a good example. As the wind blows, it causes the fins of the Aspirotor to rotate like a turbine, generating a vacuum that draws air up the flue and out into the open air.

It is important to check that the spinning cowl you choose is suitable with the fuel type you use. If you pick the wrong one for your fuel type, your cowl may suffer from a buildup of deposits within its moving parts, which could cause dangerous levels of carbon monoxide to enter the room.

Certain chimney cowls are designed to allow hot air and fumes to be more efficiently extracted by the flue pipe. For flue systems with a particularly weak draw, a rotating chimney cowl is recommended. However, such cowls should not be used in cases where no draw problem exists, as they can actually be counterproductive and cause your fire or stove to overfire. Contact the Brewer Cowls team to chat about which option is best for your needs.

As discussed above, the main purpose of a chimney cowl is to prevent downdraught. Downdraught is not just a nuisance, it can actually be dangerous to you and your family. As we mentioned earlier, pot hanger chimney cowls are designed to be installed without removing the chimney pot. Simply place it on top and affix it in place with the three straps that hang from the main chimney cowl body. This particular pot hanger rain cap is available in two colours terracotta or stainless steel , is made from high-quality grade stainless steel and comes with a year guarantee.

This chimney cowl is constructed from quality grade steel and comes with a 15 year warranty. Find more stove and chimney advice on the Direct Stoves blog …. Be notified of replies. Friday, November What is a chimney cowl? Let us explain… A chimney cowl is typically a hood shaped covering which sits over the opening of your chimney. As you can see, they do quite a lot! Why should you use a chimney cowl with a stove?

Chimney downdraft Chimney downdraft is one of the most common causes of poorly burning stoves. Weather protection The weather can have more of an effect upon the performance of your stove than you may realise. Improved draw If you are having consistent problems lighting and maintaining the fire in your stove, then your chimney may have a draw problem. Animal-proofing Bird nests are a leading cause of chimney fires. How do you install a chimney cowl? How much does it cost to install a chimney cowl?