How to Build a Chimney Top

Chimney tops are incredibly practical and can give a polished look to any chimney. Here is a simple but practical chimney top that will act as a deterrent for birds as well as allowing full airflow and updraft to be maintained in your chimney. Be sure to allow several days to complete this project, and make sure that the forecast is clear.

Things You'll Need

• Stainless steel sheet metal Pencil Tape measure Sheet metal shears Self-tapping metal screws Screw gun Masonry hammer drill with ¼-inch masonry drill bit 4 2-inch masonry screws Sheet metal scribe Straightedge ruler 1 24-by-2-by-4-inch board 100 grit sandpaper Gloves

Instructions

1. Measure the outer dimensions of your chimney. You can do this with a tape measure. You will need to know the specific height, width and length of the chimney.

2. Cut out your chimney top. Transpose the total measurements from your chimney onto the sheet metal. Put your gloves on and then using your scribe and a straightedge ruler, draw a line where each of the four corners would be. Allow an extra 1-inch overlap at the end. Cut out the square using the metal shears.

3. Start working the metal into shape. Take your 2-by-4 and line it up at the edge where the scribed line is. Bend that edge of the metal into a 90-degree angle to make it conform with the corner of your chimney. You will do this for each corner until you have a square form that should fit snugly over the top of your chimney with a 1-inch overlap.

4. Bend the overlaps into place. Once again using your 2-by-4, bend the overlap so that it joins together with the last corner.

5. Create vents. Measure out a grid of 1-by-1-inch square holes in a 3-by-3-inch checkerboard pattern, leaving ¼ inch between squares. These should be on the top of your metal box. Using your sheet metal shears, cut out these square holes.

6. Sand all the edges smooth, using the 100 grit sandpaper.

7. Create the cover from a new piece of sheet metal. Cut a 12-inch circle out of the sheet metal. On one side, cut a line from the edge to the exact middle of the circle. Putting pressure in the middle of the circle, overlap the edges together so that the center literally pops up. It will resemble a tin man hat, and that is exactly what you want it to look like.

8. Mount the cover on the chimney top. To do this, screw down the circle onto the top of the box. Use at least one screw for each side of the chimney top. You should now have a chimney top with square holes in the side and a tin man hat for a cover.

9. Install the chimney top. Place your chimney top over the chimney itself, and drill holes in the sheet metal that align with the chimney holes. Screw in your four masonry screws to hold your top in place.

10. Call up your local fire department for an inspection. There may be a needed fire permit or other regulations that you need to conform to, and fire department personnel can check your work for safety.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear gloves when you are working with sheet metal. Even after sanding, the edges may still be sharp, so use extreme caution.