Top 5 HY-C Chimney Caps

At HY-C, we manufacture chimney caps in hundreds of shapes and sizes. Even when you narrow those caps down by individual style, there are still 20 to choose from. Finding the right cap out of all of those choices can be tough, and you don’t want to make the wrong choice. You need the right chimney cap to withstand rain, wind, wildlife, and more.

The choice starts to get a lot easier the more you narrow the list down, though. Forget about custom caps, special cases, and one-off flue sizes — finding the perfect chimney cap is easy when you pick from a list of the very best.

We know our chimney caps better than anyone. We’ve been manufacturing them for over 75 years, after all. And we want to make finding the perfect cap as easy as possible. So in this guide, we’re going to take a close look at the top 5 chimney caps that HY-C manufactures.

We’ll cover the special features each cap has to offer, the sizes they’re available in, their prices, and even some caveats to be wary of. By the time you’re finished here, you’ll have all the info you need to find the perfect HY-C chimney cap for you.

Use the links below to jump to a chimney cap style:

• #5: Draft King Single Flue Galvanized Steel Round Chimney Cap
• #4: Draft King Single Flue Galvanized Steel Chimney Cap
• #3: Draft King Single Flue Stainless Steel Chimney Cap
• #2: Shelter Single Flue Galvanized Steel Adjustable Chimney Cap
• #1: Shelter Single Flue Galvanized Steel Chimney Cap

#5: Draft King Single Flue Galvanized Steel Round Chimney Cap

Pros:

• Hood with a cross-break for extra strength and durability
• Hood features roll-formed edges to facilitate proper rainwater runoff
• Bolt-on and slip-in styles available

Caveats:

• Not designed for oil-burning or coal-burning appliances
• Not ideal for heavily used wood-burning appliances

The rest of this list features caps mainly designed for square and rectangular flues, so let’s start off with a round style. This single-flue cap from our Draft King brand is available in bolt-on or slip-in styles to accommodate both protruding and non-protruding flue tiles. Its hood features a cross-break design for added strength and roll-formed edges to help water run off correctly.

This cap’s galvanized steel construction makes it good for lightly used wood burning appliances, like a fireplace that’s utilized a few times a month during the winter. It’s not ideal for wood-burning appliances used daily, though, and it should be avoided on oil-burning and coal-burning appliances altogether.

Sizes and Price

Round Draft King single-flue galvanized steel chimney caps are available in 10-inch to 18-inch diameters in the slip-in style. Prices range from around $119 to $160. We also offer them in standard ¾” mesh and California and Oregon-compliant ⅝” mesh:

The bolt-on styles are also available with either ¾” or ⅝” mesh. They’re made with base diameters between 8 inches and 18 inches. Price-wise, they range from about $94 to about $140:

Discover the Draft King Single Flue Galvanized Steel Round Chimney Cap

#4: Draft King Single Flue Galvanized Steel Chimney Cap

Pros:

• Hood features cross-breaks for extra strength
• Hood comes with roll-formed edges to facilitate proper rainwater runoff
• Ultra-secure corner-mount design withstands high winds
• Compatible with slip-in leg kit for flues lower than 1” in height

Caveats:

• Not designed for oil-burning or coal-burning appliances
• Not ideal for heavily used wood-burning appliances
• Pricier than alternative options

The square/rectangular counterpart to our round pick at #5, the Draft King single-flue galvanized steel chimney cap is a true workhorse. Like its round cousin, its hood features cross-breaks and roll-formed edges. Its ultra-secure corner-mount design is ideal for standing up against severe wind and weather without cracking or breaking the flue tile upon installation.

This cap shares similar caveats to the round style: it’s not ideal for use on heavily used wood-burning appliances, and it’s not at all fit for oil-burning or coal-burning heaters. Its standout features also make it a bit pricier than some of the other galvanized options on this list.

Sizes and Price

This cap comes in eleven distinct sizes and is compatible with chimney flues as small as 5” x 9” and as large as 20” x 20”. Each size is available both with ¾” mesh and ⅝” Oregon and California-compliant mesh. Depending on size, prices range anywhere from $78 to $132.

Discover the Draft King Single Flue Galvanized Steel Chimney Cap

#3: Draft King Single Flue Stainless Steel Chimney Cap

Pros:

• Available with black powder coat paint finish for added protection
• Ideal for coal-burning, oil-burning, and heavily-used wood-burning appliances
• Unique corner-mount design withstands high winds
• Compatible with slip-in leg kit for flues lower than 1” in height
• Cross-breaks on hood for additional strength
• Hood features roll-formed edges to ensure proper rainwater runoff

Caveats:

• Commands a high price tag

The Draft King single-flue bolt-on cap in stainless steel offers about as much protection as is possible from a chimney cap. Unlike galvanized caps, it’s suitable for heavily-used wood burning appliances as well as oil-burning and coal-burning appliances. It’ll stay in place in the face of strong winds, and its stainless steel construction allows it to thrive in highly abrasive saltwater environments.

It’s also compatible with our slip-in leg conversion kit so it can be installed on flues that are less than 1 inch high. What’s the drawback, then? Well, its rock-solid construction and laundry list of features commands quite a high price tag relative to galvanized steel chimney caps.

Sizes and Price

Like the galvanized cap at #4, this stainless steel style comes in eleven sizes, each available with ¾” and ⅝” mesh. Each size and mesh configuration is available with a natural, unpainted stainless steel finish, with prices ranging from around $109 to $385 (depending on size):

Dimensions	Mesh Size	MSRP
5" x 9"	3/4"	$108.59
5" x 9"	5/8"	$108.59
9" x 9"	3/4"	$127.39
9" x 9"	5/8"	$152.29
9" x 13"	3/4"	$146.89
9" x 13"	5/8"	$171.59
9" x 18"	3/4"	$185.99
9" x 18"	5/8"	$195.99
11" x 11"	3/4"	$166.49
11" x 11"	5/8"	$190.99
12" x 16"	3/4"	$224.29
12" x 16"	5/8"	$230.59
13" x 13"	3/4"	$205.59
13" x 13"	5/8"	$248.99
13" x 18"	3/4"	$264.39
13" x 18"	5/8"	$269.69
15" x 15"	3/4"	$244.79
15" x 15"	5/8"	$252.39
18" x 18"	3/4"	$283.99
18" x 18"	5/8"	$345.79
20" x 20"	3/4"	$303.59
20" x 20"	5/8"	$384.49

If you’re after some additional protection, each size and mesh combination is also available with a black powder coat paint finish. Just be aware that these styles cost a bit more money, with MSRPs clocking in between $129 and $426 (again, depending on which size you need):

Dimensions	Mesh Size	MSRP
5" x 9"	3/4"	$128.59
5" x 9"	5/8"	$264.99
9" x 9"	3/4"	$147.99
9" x 9"	5/8"	$279.59
9" x 13"	3/4"	$167.29
9" x 13"	5/8"	$294.49
9" x 18"	3/4"	$206.19
9" x 18"	5/8"	$309.59
11" x 11"	3/4"	$186.79
11" x 11"	5/8"	$314.69
12" x 16"	3/4"	$245.19
12" x 16"	5/8"	$329.39
13" x 13"	3/4"	$225.69
13" x 13"	5/8"	$339.39
13" x 18"	3/4"	$283.99
13" x 18"	5/8"	$384.29
15" x 15"	3/4"	$264.59
15" x 15"	5/8"	$395.89
18" x 18"	3/4"	$303.39
18" x 18"	5/8"	$405.59
20" x 20"	3/4"	$322.79
20" x 20"	5/8"	$425.59

Discover the Draft King Single Flue Stainless Steel Chimney Cap

#2: Shelter Single Flue Galvanized Steel Adjustable Chimney Cap

Pros:

• 2 sizes fit most chimney flues
• Designed for rectangular, square, round, and oval flues
• Unique sliding tab attachment style is ideal for severe weather and high winds
• Economical price point

Caveats:

• Hood lacks cross-breaks
• Hood lacks roll-formed edges
• Not ideal for heavily-used wood-burning flues
• Not compatible with oil-burning or coal-burning appliances

At #2, we have one of the most unique and versatile chimney caps we make (and — spoiler alert — it isn’t the last Shelter brand cap on this list). The Shelter single-flue adjustable chimney cap comes in just two sizes. But its unique sliding tab attachment style fits just about any chimney flue you’re likely to find. It’s made to fit rectangular, square, oval, and round flue tiles. It’s ultra-versatile.

Shelter chimney caps are designed with low prices in mind. As a result, this cap is missing some of the high-end features of our Draft King caps like cross-breaks and roll-formed hood edges. It’s also made of galvanized steel, so it’s not a good candidate for heavily-used wood burning appliances or coal-burning or oil-burning appliances.

Still, this cap is one of the most reliable that we manufacture.

Sizes and Price

Due to its adjustable nature, this cap only comes in two sizes: small and large. Each size is available either with ¾” or ⅝” mesh. Their prices are about as good as it gets, too, coming in between $74 to $81:

Dimensions	Mesh Size	MSRP
8" x 8" to 13" x 13"	3/4"	$73.99
8" x 8" to 13" x 13"	5/8"	$75.99
13" x 13" to 9" x 18"	3/4"	$78.99
13" x 13" to 9" x 18"	5/8"	$80.99

Discover the Shelter Single Flue Galvanized Steel Adjustable Chimney Cap

#1: Shelter Single Flue Galvanized Steel Chimney Cap

Pros:

• Secure corner bolt-on attachment style
• Compatible with slip-in leg conversion kit for low and non-protruding flues
• Resistant to wind and severe weather
• Affordable price point

Caveats:

• Doesn’t come with cross-breaks on the hood
• Does not feature roll-formed drip edges on the hood
• Not compatible with coal-burning or oil-burning appliances
• Not ideal for use with heavily-used wood-burning heaters

The ultimate fusion of protection and wallet-friendly pricing, the Shelter single-flue galvanized steel cap is undoubtedly the favorite among customers across the country. Its no-frills design manages to balance affordability with longevity, standing guard over chimney flues everywhere for years at a time.

Sure, it’s missing the roll-formed drip edges and cross-breaks featured on Draft King chimney cap hoods. And its galvanized steel construction isn’t the best for every situation.

But its secure corner-mount design, range of available sizes, and resistance to the elements make the Shelter single-flue galvanized chimney cap one of the best on the market.

Sizes and Price

This cap is designed to fit flues ranging from 9” x 9” to 18” x 18”. Its available both with the standard ¾” mesh and the ⅝” California-compliant mesh. But the best part of these caps is their price. With MSRPs from $62 to $78, this line of chimney caps doesn’t even crack the $80 mark.

Dimensions	Mesh Size	MSRP
9" x 9"	3/4"	$61.89
9" x 9"	5/8"	$63.69
9" x 13"	3/4"	$63.69
9" x 13"	5/8"	$65.39
8" x 17"	5/8"	$67.19
9" x 18"	3/4"	$67.19
10" x 17"	5/8"	$71.69
12" x 16"	3/4"	$72.59
13" x 13"	3/4"	$68.99
13" x 13"	5/8"	$69.89
13" x 17"	5/8"	$75.29
13" x 18"	3/4"	$76.19
18" x 18"	3/4"	$77.99

Discover the Shelter Single Flue Galvanized Steel Chimney Cap

Which HY-C Chimney Cap Should You Get?

And that’s our list of the top 5 chimney caps we manufacture at HY-C. At this point, you should have some idea of what constitutes a great cap, and the importance of the balance between cost and protection.

But — which one should you get?

It all starts with finding the right cap size. If a style on this list doesn’t include a size that fits your flue, it’s not worth considering.

From there, you need to decide on how much you want to spend and the level of protection you want out of your cap. A stainless steel style will act as a fortress, but it also demands more dollars. Galvanized options are economical, but they’re not always right for heavy wood burners.

Consider cost, available sizes, the kind of heating appliance you have, and the frequency with which you use the appliance. Once you’ve found the balance you’re looking for, you’ll be ready to use our product locator to find the perfect chimney cap for your flue.