Weather vanes are used to measure wind direction. In the early times they were functional units, but with time, they began to exhibit the beliefs, traditions and tastes of man. Today, they are the manifestation of the creativity of man. A weather vane is a unique fabrication consisting of a metal figure-head responding to air pressure by spinning on an axis, thereby showing the direction of winds. The way the figurehead is designed is no secret. An unbalanced surface area but a balanced mass produces unequal momentum that swivels the figurehead effectively in an attempt to reduce the pressure of air on its surface. The sheer aerodynamics has won the fascination of many. Metal directionals point out in all four major directions. The discerning person occasionally looks at this contraption and figures out which game the skies are playing. He concocts his game plan accordingly in order to ascertain minimum interference. The early weather vanes were hand crafted. Metal sheets were beaten upon in order to give them the desired shape. The use of wrought iron and copper was common. In the bye gone Greek era, weather vaneswere in the shape of gods that blew the winds in favorable directions, thus bringing favorable weather conditions. Cockerels donned the spires of Church building of the Roman era in order to promote religious beliefs. Sailing ships showed the dependence of the navigator on wind. Today, one can see anything from a darting deer to a galloping horse, or even a custom-designed representation of one’s desires.
Cupolas are becoming popular and adding one to your home may not provide you with that distinctive look you want. The same is true with weathervanes. But what if you were to combine the two? A Weathervane cupola is not a new idea. Ever since cupolas were first used as a means to improve the air circulation in the house, weathervanes have been placed on top of them. A weathervane cupola allows the weathervane to be placed as high as possible which means it will receive better airflow so it can turn more easily with the wind. Today, that is not important, but a weathervane cupola will allow you to combine two classic pieces of house design into one for a unique and eye catching look.
Rooftop finials can add a great traditional look to any home. Though they can be made from stone and wood, those most commonly sold in the United States are metal varieties. There are also a variety of resin or fiberglass rooftop finial designs. These spires or knobs sit atop peaks or turrets on your roof to give your home a dignified appearance. They are a distinctive feature of many East Coast home but create a classic look on homes all over the country. There are many styles of rooftop finials to choose from. You can find many traditional copper rooftop finials, which will develop a greenish patina over time. There are also may highly polished rooftop finials that will stay bright for a long time. These generally come in a gold-tone. Resin and fiberglass versions can be painted to look like metal or to match the paint of the exterior of you home. Wood finials are also generally painted. The shapes of rooftop finials can vary. Some feature a sharp, spire-like point, while others are a rounded shape. If you’re considering purchasing rooftop finials for your home, you have many options. Take some time to consider which type is best suited to your home’s design and materials.
Never confuse a modern weathervane that the weather forecaster uses, with the traditional weathervanes. Their ornamental value was as high as the ability to point in which direction the wind was blowing. Especially in the American countryside, people’s reliance on the weathervane has been dependent and as important to them as the well for drinking water. At the end of each day and the onset of the next one each morning, people used to look to the sky and checked what direction their weathervane was pointing in. That told them in which direction the dark clouds on the horizon may be headed and thereby how to plan their day. With the horizon of the New World, weathervanes were displayed proudly in farms and in towns, as our ancestors built. With the passing of time, the American weathervanes changed from the old English styles to match the environment and character of the New World. In the Northeast, figures such as seagulls, ships and fish, were the most popular ones. As people moved westward and farming and ranching developed, the weathervanes would depict hens, horses, pigs and other farm animals, arrows and Indian figureheads. If you live in a house, you need a weathervane.
Copper Cupolas Or Wooden Ones? Many people feel that a wooden roof needs only a wooden cupola and that anything else will look out of place. Actually this is not correct. Copper cupolas on wooden houses look great. Not only does a cupola add a distinctive touch to the look of the house, copper cupolas offer an elegant contrast to the wood and stand out even more without looking as though they don’t belong there. Copper cupolas are longer lasting than wooden ones and also require no upkeep or maintenance. In fact that as copper ages it develops a wonderful antique looking greenish patina on it that not only enhances its visual appeal but also act to protect the metal from the effect of the weather.
Roof weather vanes have been around for centuries and while today there are more accurate ways of forecasting the weather, they remain very popular as decorative items that can give a house a unique look. While traditional designs like Father Time and a rooster are still among the most sought after, new designs are constantly appearing and using a contemporary design on a traditional fixture like a roof weather vane can create an interesting effect. Copper roof weather vanes develop a wonderful green patina over time and can give even a new weather vane an antique look. If you have a design of your own, there are many artist blacksmiths who can convert your idea into reality.
Why Copper Weathervanes? Weathervanes have traditionally been made out of iron. So what’s so special about cooper weathervanes? Firstly, unlike iron and most other metals, copper will not rust and so is longer lasting. Secondly, copper is an easy metal of the artist blacksmith to work with and creating interesting weathervane designs is much easier than with other metals. Thirdly, copper weathervanes look better as they age. Copper gets an attractive antique looking green patina as it is exposed to the atmosphere which makes copper weathervanes look more interesting as they age. You can easily design your own weathervane and find an artist blacksmith to fabricate it for you.
Fitting copper cupolas to the roof of your house does not only enhance its appearance, it adds to the ventilation and a significant improvement in the internal airflow of the home. Copper cupolas used with gable or dormer vents do not increase the heating or cooling costs but can actually reduce them. Of course, just as roofs are insulated, so too copper cupolas need proper insulating so as to reduce heat loss. Since secure fitting is essential to the life of the cupola, and to prevent any leakage, it is always safer to get one made for an exact fit to your roof rather than going in for a standard size.
