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GUTTER OPPORTUNITIES

Architectural downspouts

Rainchains are meant to be seen, not hidden around the corner

By Mark Ward Sr.

that rain chains maintain their tension by

weight and gravity," he notes, "but I also rec-

ommend tying them down so they won't sway

Intense competition in the gutter

in the wind."

industry has spawned heavy consumer

GutterSupply.com sells approximately 25

advertising, which in turned has raised

designs. Cup-style rain chains can offer the

homeowners' awareness of gutter products.

appearance of a chain of lilies, star flowers,

Now that awareness is trickling down into

scallops, or bells. Both round and square

accessory products, from conductor heads to

cups are available. Link-style chains can fea-

decorative hangers -- or to an increasingly

ture single loops, double loops, chain link,

popular option, Japanese rain chains.

or a combination of loops and links.

"Rain chains are a growing product line,"

Millman's company even offers "theme" rain

says Mike Millman of GutterSupply. com, a

chains crafted in such motifs as grape-and-

materials supplier and online retailer based in

leaf, wave-and-dolphin, hummingbird, and

Lake Bluff, Ill. "They've been used in Japan for

pineapple.

more than a hundred years, and now rain

"Rain chains aren't a complete replace-

chains have been introduced to the United

ment for downspouts," advises Millman, "but

States."

they're an aesthetic alternative, possibly for

The metal, usually copper, chains can

high-visibility places like a front entrance

replace a conventional downspout, as rain

where a conventional downspout may look

water cascades down a vertical series of cups

obtrusive."

or links. In addition to the visual display of

Guttersupply.com photo

cascading water, the action can produce a

Chains vs. Downspouts

pleasant tinkling sound -- compared to the

wire clip sits in the gutter over the down-

clunky noise that emanates from enclosed

spout hole. The center portion of the clip is

At Slate and Copper Sales Company Inc., a

downspouts.

bent in a V-shape to extend below the hole,

manufacturer and distributor based in Erie,

Sales growth in rain chains, suggests

which helps direct water flow down onto the

Pa., Larry Marie agrees that "rain chains add

Millman, dovetails with rising interest in

chain. The rain chain itself attaches to the

expression and character to a gutter system."

Eastern concepts such as feng shui (literally

bottom point of the "V." Though installation

From the growing number of designs now

"wind and water") or the ancient practice of

may require some bending of the attach-

available, he suggests, "It seems like there's a

placing objects and arranging space in har-

ment so it sits correctly in the gutter, adds

big and growing market for rain chains."

mony with the environment. Yet rain chains

Millman, "They're a fairly simple element to

Marie concurs that rain chains cannot

also offer some pragmatic benefits as well to

install."

replace conventional downspouts in every

both installers and homeowners.

Moreover, if the clip is copper and the

situation. "It's recommended that you keep

Rain chains retail at about $8 to $20 per

gutter aluminum, to prevent electrolysis,

the chain away from the wall of your house,"

linear foot, reports Millman, or up to $50 for

"You could put a piece of plastic on each

he explains. "A three-foot overhang is what

intricate handcrafted products. "Installers

side of the outlet hole underneath the gutter

people advise. But not every homeowner has

should think about adding rain chains to their

attachment piece, or place a barrier such as

eaves that overhang far enough."

product lines," he recommends."Many home-

ice-and-water shield between the two met-

Nevertheless, he adds, "I've seen some people

owners are interested in unique gutter solu-

als. As long as there's no direct contact

use an elbow system to move the chain fur-

tions but don't yet know about rain chains,

between both raw metals, you shouldn't

ther away from the wall."

and so you can introduce them to the prod-

have a problem," Millman points out.

As for the performance of rain chains,

uct. Rain chains are unique, which means

At ground level, anchoring the rain chain

Marie readily admits the products "are not

higher margins for the installer. And the prod-

should be considered. "They can drain into a

downspouts; they splash around and so

uct's uniqueness helps set you apart from

variety of receptacles like basins, bowls, saucers,

they're not ideal for capturing and draining

other contractors."

or pebbles," Millman says. His company also

water."

sells hammered copper bowls and dishes which

Though Marie agrees rain chains are

Simple Installation

anchor the chain, provide drainage, and

"quick to install and take only about five

enhance aesthetics. "The manufacturers say

minutes to put up," he is more guarded about

The chains are easy to install. A simple

Reprinted for GO a Supplement to Metal Roofing Summer 2006

Created with demo version

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