A fireplace shroud, also known as a cap, is a functional and decorative top for your chimney. Not only can a chimney add aesthetic beauty to your home, but it can also keep your family safe from harmful gases and smoke. Therefore, the importance of protecting your family makes it imperative that you also protect the chimney. This is where installing a shroud to your fireplace comes in handy.

Fireplaces Can Be Dangerous

More than 25,000 chimney fires cause upwards of $120 million in damages, according to the National Fire Protection Agency. Many people are unaware of the possible dangers they risk when lighting their fireplace. Some of these dangers can come from incorrect installation or lack of regular maintenance.

3 Reasons to Use a Fireplace Shroud

Here are several things to consider when deciding whether you need a covering for your chimney.

1. Keep Rainwater Out

One very important reason to have a fireplace shroud is to prevent rainwater from getting inside the chimney liner. As one of the worst enemies to enter a home, any water that enters your chimney poses a danger. A fireplace shroud stops this from happening by directing from the center. Instead, after a rain shower, the water runs off the sides of your chimney.

If any of that water were to enter the flue or liner of your chimney gallery, rapid deterioration could begin. The result would cause more problems than you need or would ever consider with a sturdy fireplace shroud properly installed.

2. Keep Unwanted Houseguests Out of Your Home

Another reason you want to have a fireplace shroud installed is to keep animals and birds out of your chimney. Not properly covering your chimney is like leaving an open invitation for these critters. The chimney is always a great place for animals to build nests. Darkness, safety and warmth attracts wildlife trying to get away from other predators.

If not kept at bay, an animal that gets into your chimney will eventually come inside your home.

3. Increase Draft within Your Chimney

The third reason you want to have a fireplace shroud installed on your chimney is to increase the draft inside. Believe it or not, draft is easily deterred, yet critical for your chimney to function properly. Without adequate draft, your chimney would be useless.

Being mindful of these reasons for installing a fireplace shroud can help to increase the overall life of your beautiful chimney. Compare the expense of having one to repair costs of replacing a chimney liner or hiring a pest removal service. This is a reasonable investment for maintaining one of the best features in your home.

Master Caps is dedicated to providing fireplace shrouds made from the highest quality material. Contact us today and begin protecting your family and home or build your chimney cap in 6 easy steps.

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