Installing a Crown

The top of a masonry chimney is called a crown.  The crown, which is usually layered with mortar, is the primary defense your chimney has against the elements.  A good chimney crown should be at least 4 inches thick at its thickest point, sloped to allow water runoff, and reinforced with concrete if required.

Here’s how Barnhill Chimney installed a brand-new chimney crown on a severely deteriorated chimney in Spring 2011.

A chimney in need of a crown (and some brick repair to the left side).

A wooden framework is laid and leveled, and slowly filled with mortar.

The fully poured crown. Note the slope for water runoff.

The finished product, complete with overhang (and brick repair!).