Resources

Copper chimney cap on a stone chimney with aged patina archaicmetal nj
How Long Do Copper Chimney Caps Last?
A well-built copper chimney cap doesn't have a replacement date. Here's what you can realistically expect from copper — and what separates a cap that lasts a lifetime from one... Read more...
Custom copper chimney shroud installed on stone chimney — decorative enclosure helps correct wind-related smoke backdraft
Smoke Coming Back Into Your House When It's Windy? Here's the Fix
 If smoke comes back into your house when the wind picks up, your chimney has a draft problem. Here's what causes wind-driven backdrafting — and how a properly fitted chimney... Read more...
Custom chimney cap installed on stone masonry chimney — Archaic Metal fabricated, Berlin NJ
Why Your Chimney Cap Matters More Than You Think
Most homeowners don't think about their chimney cap until something goes wrong. By then, the damage is already done. Here's what a chimney cap actually protects against — and why... Read more...
Custom board and batten extended height chimney cap installed on large stone masonry chimney
Why Chimneys Draw Poorly (And What Chimney Pots Got Right
Downdraft, backdraft, a fireplace that smokes — or a chimney that doesn't clear height code. These are solvable problems, and the solution is older than you might think. Extended height... Read more...
Custom copper chimney shroud installed on a stone masonry chimney — fabricated by Archaic Metal in Berlin, NJ
What Is a Chimney Shroud — and Do You Need One?
A chimney shroud is a decorative metal enclosure for the top of your chimney — no lid, no spark screen, just a clean architectural finish that hides exposed pipes, repairs,... Read more...
Copper chimney cap installed on stone masonry chimney — custom fabricated by Archaic Metal, Berlin NJ
Do Chimney Caps Prevent Chimney Fires?
Chimney caps protect your flue from rain, animals, and debris — but they don't prevent chimney fires. Here's what does, and why both a quality cap and annual cleaning matter. Read more...
Gold anodized aluminum curved panel chimney cap installed on stone chimney — custom fabricated by Archaic Metal, Berlin NJ
Anodized Aluminum Chimney Caps: The Finish No One Else Is Making
No fabricator is offering anodized aluminum chimney caps. Here's why I started making them — and why the finish outperforms Kynar and paint for buyers who want a permanent architectural... Read more...
Historic copper dome 458 Hanover Avenue Allentown PA fully patinated 2024
How Copper Ages: A 16-Year Look at a Historic Dome I Fabricated in Allentown, PA
I fabricated a standing seam copper dome on a historic commercial building in Allentown, PA back in 2008. I recently pulled it up on Google Street View — 16 years... Read more...
Custom louvered Kynar aluminum chimney cap on stone masonry chimney — wind-resistant design, hand-fabricated by Archaic Metal
High Wind Chimney Caps: What Actually Works
If your chimney cap keeps blowing off — or you're shopping after losing one in a storm — the problem isn't the wind. It's how the cap was mounted. Here's... Read more...
Custom Kynar aluminum chimney cap on wood-framed chase — dark charcoal finish, hand-fabricated by Archaic Metal
How Much Does a Chimney Cap Cost?
Chimney cap prices range from $30 at a box store to several thousand dollars for a custom fabricated cap — and the difference isn't just cosmetic. Here's what actually drives... Read more...
Custom chimney cap being installed on brick masonry chimney via bucket truck — professional chimney topper installation
What Is a Chimney Topper? (And Why the Right One Makes All the Difference)
A chimney topper is another name for a chimney cap — the metal cover that sits on top of your chimney. But not all toppers are built the same way,... Read more...
Custom copper chimney cap installed on tall stone masonry chimney — hand-fabricated by Archaic Metal for contractor direct order
Custom Chimney Caps for Contractors and Chimney Sweeps — Order Direct From the Fabricator
If you're a chimney sweep, mason, or contractor, you already know the problem: your customer has a non-standard chimney, the big-box cap doesn't fit, and the stock replacement from a... Read more...
Custom Kynar aluminum chimney cap on stone masonry chimney with standing seam metal roof — Archaic Metal fabricated
Masonry Chimney or Wood-Framed Chase? What You Have Changes Everything
Not sure if you need a chimney cap, a chase cover, or both? The answer starts with knowing which type of chimney you have. Here's how to tell the difference... Read more...
Custom stainless steel chimney chase cover with soldered flue collars — hand-fabricated at Archaic Metal shop in Berlin, NJ
Wood Framed Chimney? Here's Why You Need a Stainless Steel Chase Cover
If your chimney is wood-framed, you need a chase cover before a cap can go on — and stainless steel is the right material for both. Here's how it works... Read more...
Custom copper chimney shroud hand-fabricated at Archaic Metal — Berlin, NJ
What Is a Copper Chimney Shroud — And Why More Homeowners Are Searching for One
The term "chimney shroud" is showing up more and more in searches — and for good reason. Here's what it means, why it's different from a standard chimney cap, and... Read more...
New construction luxury home with uncapped chimneys — custom chimney caps for new builds fabricated to order by Archaic Metal
Custom Chimney Caps for New Builds: What Your Contractor Needs to Know
A new construction chimney deserves a cap that was built for it — not a hardware store cover that almost fits. Here's what contractors and homeowners need to know before... Read more...
Contractor carrying custom copper chimney cap up ladder for installation — Archaic Metal fabricated cap delivered direct to chimney sweep
Why Chimney Sweeps and Masons Order Custom Caps — Not Store-Bought
Chimney sweeps and masonry contractors deal with failing store-bought caps on every job. Here's why trade professionals order custom fabricated caps for their clients — and why it makes them... Read more...
Squirrel on uncapped chimney flue — wildlife entry point without a chimney cap
The Only Thing Standing Between You and a $500 Wildlife Removal Bill
An uncapped chimney flue is an open invitation to every raccoon, squirrel, and nesting bird in your neighborhood. Here's what a proper cap does — and why it costs a... Read more...
Custom chimney cap installed on stone masonry chimney — Archaic Metal fabricated, Berlin NJ
Scratching Sounds in Your Chimney? Here's What Moved In This Spring
Scratching, chirping, or rustling sounds coming from your chimney mean something moved in. Here's what's likely living up there, why spring is peak season, and how a chimney cap stops... Read more...
Residential home with copper chimney cap on roofline — schedule chimney cap installation before spring landscaping season
Get Chimney Work Done Before Landscaping Season — Here's Why Timing Matters
Once landscaping season kicks off, getting roof work done becomes a whole project. Here's why early spring — right now — is the easiest and smartest window of the year... Read more...
Snow-covered uncapped chimney crown showing water infiltration risk in winter
Your Chimney May Not Have Survived This Winter — And the One Fix That Covers Everything
End of winter is when chimney damage shows up — water stains, cracked crowns, and animals in the flue. Here's what to look for and the one fix that protects... Read more...
Severely cracked chimney crown on brick masonry chimney — no cap installed
What Is a Chimney Crown — And Why Yours May Already Be Cracking
Most homeowners don't know what a chimney crown is until it's failing. Here's what it is, why it always cracks, and the one thing that actually protects it — before... Read more...
Four-step diagram for measuring a chimney for a custom cap — crown height, flue locations, mounting type, and cap dimensions
Top Mount vs Side Mount Chimney Caps — Which One Do You Need?
A top mount chimney cap sits flat on the crown. A side mount wraps around the outside with a vertical skirt. Here's how to know which installation style is right... Read more...
Chimney cap sizing diagram showing how to measure crown dimensions, flue height, and select top mount or side mount style — Archaic Metal measuring guide
What Size Chimney Cap Do I Need?
Ordering a custom chimney cap starts with one question: what size do you need? This guide walks you through exactly how to figure that out — flue dimensions, crown measurements,... Read more...
Kynar aluminum and 16oz copper chimney caps fabricated at Archaic Metal — material comparison
Copper vs. Aluminum Chimney Caps: Which Material Is Right for Your Home?
Copper and aluminum are both excellent chimney cap materials — but they serve different homeowners in different situations. After 32 years of fabricating custom caps in our New Jersey workshop,... Read more...
Four-step diagram for measuring a chimney for a custom cap — crown height, flue locations, mounting type, and cap dimensions
How to Measure Your Chimney for a Custom Cap
Getting the measurements right is the most important step in ordering a custom chimney cap. This guide walks you through exactly what to measure, how to measure it, and how... Read more...