Back in the day, the use of air conditioning and centralized heating was unheard of and most households made use of open fires on fireplaces to heat up a cold room during the winter season. It was during this time that the design for the most practical chimney was near perfected, particularly on the issue of downdrafts, or when the smoke that is supposed to have escaped the chimney flue comes back down because of strong winds above. The chimney cowl was then invented to prevent this happening.

Why Is A Downdraft Your Enemy?

Materials commonly used to burn an open fire within the household are chopped dry wood or raw coal. In either case, smoke that is produced by the burning process is expected to rise up the chimney and go out from above, that is, when the weather conditions are normal. However, there are times when the wind is considerably strong and the black smoke is pushed back down into the house, causing great discomfort and even illness throughout the household. A downdraft is what a chimney cowl prevents, and a stainless steel chimney cowl has proven itself reliable in this department.

Stainless Steel Chimney Cowl

Stainless steel is relatively lightweight material that is also a lot cheaper than, say, terracotta or brick cowls, which are made of richer material. Because stainless steel is malleable, it is easy to make adjustments to the cowl, depending on the chimney’s height and the activity of drafts in your area. A terracotta cowl, while aesthetically more stylish looking, is not only heavy but is also usually non-adjustable.

Other Advantages

Besides preventing illness and discomfort from potentially poisonous downdrafts, a stainless steel chimney cowl can also prevent rodents from getting into the house through the chimney. A terracotta cowl, for instance, can do the job of preventing a draft, but it fails in comparison to stainless steel in making sure no critters enter the hole. Stainless steel heats up easily and thereby discourages anything or even anyone from getting inside. In addition, a well made cowl, one that is protected by a screen, for example, prevents the buildup of dirt or dead leaves along the chimney’s interiors, thus decreasing the need for maintenance.

There are various types of chimney cowl designs to suit your roof’s aesthetic and your area’s weather condition. You can find a wide selection of stainless steel chimney cowls online and have them delivered and installed directly by a nearby branch. In any case, you can purchase the just the cowl itself online and then have it locally installed, as most cowls manufactured nowadays fit the regular chimney set up sizes and, if not, can be ordered custom-made.