Weathervanes

What Is A Weathervane

A weather vane is an instrument for showing the direction in which the wind is blowing.  They are typically used as an architectural ornament to the highest point of a building.

Although partly functional, weather vanes are generally decorative, often featuring the traditional rooster design with letters indicating the points of the compass. Other common designs include ships, arrows and horses. Not all weathervanes come with pointers.

Operation Of A Weathervane

The design of a weathervane is such that it is evenly distributed on each side of the surface, but the surface area is unequally divided, so that the pointer can move freely on its axis. The side with the larger surface area is blown away from the wind direction, so that the smaller side, with the pointer, is pivoted to face the wind direction. Most weathervanes have directional markers beneath the arrow, aligned with the geographic directions.

Weathervanes, especially those with fanciful shapes, do not always show the real direction of a very gentle wind. This is because the figures do not achieve the necessary design balance: an unequal surface area but balanced in weight.

To obtain an accurate reading, the wind vane must be located well above the ground and away from buildings, trees, and other objects which interfere with the true wind direction. Changing wind direction can be meaningful when coordinated with other apparent sky conditions, enabling the user to make simple short range forecasts. From the street level the size of many weathervanes is deceptive.

Weathervane History:

For centuries, wherever people settled, their reliance upon the weathervanes has been as basic to them as grinding wheat for bread. At the end of each day, and with the dawning of the next, people have looked to the sky and studied the direction of their weather vanes. They have plowed and sown, reaped and stored, worked and played, trusting the good directions of the wind that drove their fate.

Derived from the Old English word fane, meaning "flag" or "banner", the weather vane was part of ancient cultures as early as 48 B.C., when a life-size figure of the Greek god Triton was hoisted atop the Tower of the Winds in Athens.

With the discovery of the New World, weather vanes were proudly displayed from the high steeples of newly populated towns and cities as our ancestors blended cultures and traditions to create America. At first, colonists reproduced the traditional figures of their native countries. But with the passage of time, their weather vanes evolved to reflect the environment and character of this budding country. New Englanders, for example, used symbols of their new frontier, such as fish, seagulls, and ships. As American pioneers moved westward, farmers designed and crafted their own figureheads, including farm animals and Native American themes.

Over time, weathervanes became coveted works of decorative art, admired as much for their craftsmanship as for their practicality. That long tradition of beauty and practicality is reflected in every Good Directions weather vane. May favorable winds forever blow your way.

Weathervane Facts, Fables, & Rhymes:

 - The weathervane, or weathercock, points into the wind. When looking at a weather vane, remember that the wind is coming from the direction in which it is pointed.

 - When clouds look like rocks and towers, the earth will have many showers.

 - A cow with its tail to the west makes weather the best. A cow with its tail to the east makes weather the least. (Traditional New England weather rhyme)

 - The north wind doeth blow, and we shall have snow.

 - When the wind is from the east, it’s not good for man nor beast.

Commonly Asked Weathervane Questions:

Q. Which are the most popular weathervanes?
A. The rooster, and horse have always been favorites. These designs date back to early colonial settlements.

Q. Which weathervane should I buy?
A. You should buy the weather vane that best displays your personality, or that identifies the area in which you live.

Q. What is included in the weathervane?
A. All weathervanes include a copper figure, a brass and stainless steel rod, copper spacer balls, and solid brass directionals. Mounting and display options for all other weathervanes are sold separately.

Q. What is the weathervane made of?
A. The weathervane figure and spacer balls are made of pure copper. The directionals are made of solid brass, and the rod is brass and stainless steel. This ensures a rust-free, maintenance-free product.

Q. What is the difference between the green and the polished finish?
A. The green finish is referred to as "blue verde." This is an artificial finish applied to give the weather vane the appearance of an antique. To some people, the polished finish is more appealing. After assembly, these weathervane figures are placed on buffers to give them luster and shine.

Q. How long will the polished finish last?
A. We do not treat our polished copper weathervanes. So, within a few months, the weathervanes will lose their polished look and start to naturally tarnish. At first, the finish will turn dark, like an old copper penny. Then, after several years, the surface will begin to bloom with a beautiful natural patina.

Q. We live by the ocean and experience strong gusts of wind. Will the weathervane fall apart?
A. We recommend you apply a thread locker, like "Loctite," to bond the rod threads and screw threads.

Q. Are the weathervanes easy to assemble?
A. Yes, all you need is a screwdriver. Instructions are included. All the parts slide onto the rod and are secured by setscrews.

Q. How do I mount the weathervane?
A. The easiest and most affordable way to mount a weathervane is to use our roof mounts.

Q. If the weathervane is pointing south, does this mean that the wind is blowing from the north?
A. No! The weathervane figure will always point into the wind. In other words, the figure will always point in the direction from where the wind is blowing.

Q. Should the N-E-S-W directionals on my weathervane turn in the wind?
A. No, N-E-S-W represents the compass points of the earth and should stay fixed. If you see them moving in the wind, tighten the screws on each of the brass directionals.

Weathervane Notes:

 - Mounting options are sold separately.

 - Each weathervane includes a full bodied pure copper figure, copper spacer balls, solid brass directionals, and a stainless steel and brass assembly rod (rust and maintenance free).

 - The dimensions shown are for weathervane figures only; they do not include the dimensions of the directionals or the assembly rod.

 - The blue verde weathervanes are pre-oxidized to reveal the appearance of aged copper.

 - Polished copper weathervane figures will gradually patina overtime.