Chimney Cowlings Installation in Reading (186)

Having a chimney in your home can make a huge difference to your comfort and when properly cared for, they look incredible. However, chimneys can cause issues in your home such as drafts and smoke. So, if you’re having problems with your chimney, a chimney cowl may be the solution.

These clever metal ventilators are installed above your chimney pot and work to prevent chilly down drafts. They also stop smoke from being blown back into your living space. Chimney cowls aren’t a requirement so adding one is completely optional.

What are the benefits of chimney cowls?

As we mentioned above, chimney cowls are optional although they have a range of benefits. If you do choose to add a chimney cowl you can look forward to:

• Cleaner air - Chimney cowls help to keep the air in your home clean by preventing smoke from blowing back into your room. This also reduces your risk of carbon monoxide exposure.

• No nesting birds - Sometimes birds choose to nest in chimneys and having a chimney cowl is a great way to prevent this. A chimney cowl will also stop birds coming into your home through your chimney.

• No drafts - Chimney cowls prevent drafts entering your home through your chimney.

• No rain - Having a chimney cowl can also stop rain from entering your chimney flue system.

• No odours - Smoke can cause bad odours in your home and fitting a chimney cowl can prevent this.

Luckily, fitting a chimney cowl isn't too difficult a job. This project will usually take less than an hour and won’t be too expensive. Most roofers should be able to fit a chimney cowl. However if you need any other work doing on your roof, it may be more cost effective to get both jobs done at the same time.

What is a chimney cap?

Similar to a chimney cowl, a chimney cap sits at the top of your chimney, preventing animals, rain and smoke from entering your home. Chimney caps and chimney cowls have differences in their structure but perform similar functions.

Once you make the wise choice to add a chimney cowl or cap to your chimney, you’re probably wondering how much to budget for this job. Well, the amount you pay will depend on a few factors including:

• Size of chimney - Larger chimneys will need larger cowls, this can increase the price you pay.

• Type of cap or cowl - There’s a wide range of chimney caps and cowls available, all of which have different prices.

• Quality of cap or cowl - Choosing a high quality chimney cowl or cap means a longer lifespan and more effective performance. However, the higher the quality, the higher the cost.

• Accessibility - If your chimney is difficult to access, this may increase the cost of labour for this job.

• Scaffolding - If scaffolding is needed to fit your chimney cowl, this will push up the cost of installation by around £125.

Chimney cowl fitting cost

Ok, let’s look at a few example chimney cowl fitting costs. For a specific cowl, you can expect to pay an average of £125. Alternatively, you could choose a multi purpose cowl, which is designed to work with any type of fuel. The average multi purpose chimney cowl fitting cost is £150.

If a chimney cap better fits your needs, they’re similarly priced to chimney cowls and require the same amount of labour. For chimney cap prices and information, visit our chimney cap installation cost guide.

If you’re considering fitting a chimney cowl yourself, first consider whether it’s safe for you to climb onto your roof. This is a risky job, so if you struggle with mobility or don't have a head for heights, we’d recommend speaking to a professional chimney cowl fitter. That way you can save time, energy and a lot of worry.

Wondering how to fit a chimney cowl? Well, different types of chimney cowl are fitted in different ways. For example, a weathering cap chimney cowl is attached to the end of your chimney flue system, resting on top of the chimney. Alternatively, pot hanging cowls can be installed on top of your chimney and held in place using three straps.

Want to speak to chimney cowl fitters in Reading?

If you’re looking for chimney cowl installers in Reading, why spend hours searching for the right professional. Our members pass thorough checks so you can be sure you’re getting the best service possible. What’s more, they come with the recommendation of your neighbours.

There are two ways we can help you find chimney cowl fitting in Reading. Firstly, our online search feature is free to use. Just type in your postcode and we’ll show you a variety of experts in your area.

Or, you could try our request a quote feature, the perfect option for busy homeowners. Use our online form to tell us about your project and we’ll forward your details to three chimney cowl installers in Reading. Then you can get on with your day while they draw up three personalised quotes.