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The top of the chimneyChimney caps, crowns and chase covers
Chimney cap replacement and crown repair protect the one part of your chimney that takes every rainstorm head on. Sterling fits stainless steel and copper caps, seals or rebuilds cracked crowns, and replaces chase covers on framed chimneys. Tell us what you see up there, and we will tell you which part it is.
Open 7 days, 8am-8pm
Cap missing after a storm? Keep the fireplace unlit and call. We plan the replacement.
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- Open 7 days, 8am-8pm
- 10+ years
- Licensed, bonded & insured
- Same-week, evenings & weekends
Cap, crown or chase cover: which is which?
Three different parts sit on top of a chimney, and people mix them up. The names matter, because each one fails in its own way.
- CapA metal hood over the flue opening. It keeps out rain, sparks and animals.
- CrownThe sloped slab of mortar or concrete across the top of a brick chimney. It sheds water off the brick.
- Chase coverThe metal lid on a framed chimney with siding. It does the crown's job.
Does every chimney need a cap?
Almost every flue should wear one. Without it, rain runs straight down the flue, animals walk in, and sparks can land on the roof. A mesh screen around the cap also catches embers before they leave the chimney.
My cap blew off in a storm. Now what?
Keep the fireplace unlit until a new cap is on. Without one, sparks can leave the flue, and rain and animals can get in. If you can see where it landed from the ground, tell us. We measure your flue so the new cap sits snugly instead of rattling.
Cracked crown: seal it or rebuild it?
A hairline crack in a sound crown can often be sealed with a coating made for masonry. Wide cracks, a crumbling surface or a crown that no longer slopes away from the flue point toward rebuilding, because a sealer cannot hold a failing slab together.
We show you the cracks and explain which way your crown falls before any work starts.
What shortens a crown's life?
It depends on how it was built and how soon cracks were sealed. A crown with an overhang and a tight seal lasts longer than a thin one left alone. Build quality and early sealing decide most of a chimney crown's lifespan.
Chimney cap replacement: copper or stainless steel?
Both do the job. Stainless steel is the practical choice: it resists rust and suits most homes. Copper costs more and weathers to a soft green-brown over time, which many owners like on a brick chimney. We fit either, and we match the cap to your flue size and the look of the house.
A cap or crown job in four steps
Look from the top
We check the cap, the crown, the flashing edge and the mortar around them, and photograph what matters.
Show you the options
You see the photos, then choose between sealing, rebuilding or a new cap.
Do the work
Drop cloths cover the hearth if we need to work inside, and the roof work is done with care for your shingles.
Check the fit
We confirm the cap sits tight, the screen is secure and the crown sheds water.
Cap and crown questions
Short answers first.
Will a new cap change how my fireplace draws?
Not when it is sized to the flue. A cap that is too small chokes the draft, so we match it to your opening and leave room for smoke to leave freely.
Is a cap the same as a damper?
No. The cap sits on top of the chimney, outdoors. The damper is a plate inside the throat of the fireplace, which you open and close from the hearth.
Can you put a screen on a cap?
Yes. A mesh screen closes the gaps animals use and catches embers. Tell us what you are dealing with, and we pick the mesh to match.
Can a cap or crown go on while it is raining?
Roof work waits for safe, dry conditions. If water is getting in now, describe it and we plan the visit around the weather.
Do gas fireplaces need a cap?
If the gas unit vents through a chimney, yes, the opening needs covering like any other. A direct-vent unit has its own termination fitting on the wall or roof.
Caps and crowns near these towns
We fit caps and rebuild crowns across the east metro, including these places.
- 01
St. Paul Park
On the east bank of the Mississippi, with U.S. 10 and 61 through town.
- 02
Oak Park Heights
Beside Stillwater on the St. Croix, along Highways 36 and 95.
- 03
Lake Elmo
Much of the city still farmland, with Lake Elmo Park Reserve.
- 04
Little Canada
Gervais Mill Park and the I-35E, I-694 and Highway 36 corridor.
What does a cap or crown cost?
The starting prices for a cap and a crown repair are on the services page, and a call gets you the figure for your chimney. Material, flue size and roof access move it.
Water that has already found its way in is a job for chimney leak repair. Loose brick below the crown belongs with chimney repair, and a stack with animal noise inside is covered under animal removal.
Not sure what is up there? Tell us.
Describe the top of your chimney, and we will say whether it needs a cap, a crown job or a closer look.