Some insist it should be called a ‘wind vane.’ Others prefer the traditionally accepted ‘weathervane.’ Whatever you call them, they made their appearance over 2000 years ago and continue to be beautiful and practical pieces of art. Now, you can have your own beautifully hand-crafted weathervane in Colorado Springs. Before you buy, you may want to know a little more about what they are and how you would use them.

What Does a Weathervane Do?

A weathervane shows what direction the wind is blowing. It will have an object mounted on its center that points in the direction the wind blows. This object must be asymmetrical so that one end will offer greater resistance to the wind. A weathervane will often have the cardinal points of a compass at its base.

Where Should You Put a Weathervane?

If you are using your weathervane to determine wind direction, you must position it properly. It needs to be twice as high as anything around it so nothing obstructs the flow of the wind (like a tree or tall building). For this reason, weathervanes are often mounted on a pole and placed at the top of a building away from trees.

Traditional Weather Vanes

The earliest weather vanes were often shaped like roosters. A rooster works well for a weathervane because it can be asymmetrical with one end being heavy and the other end having a greater surface area. In medieval times, businesses would often design weathervanes to showcase their wares.

Decorative Weathervanes

Of course, you may not be concerned about having a completely accurate measure of wind direction. In that case, you can mount your weathervane anywhere in your yard or garden. You also have lots of options for design.

Types of Weathervane Designs

Arrows: This is a traditional style for weathervanes because arrows easily have the right dimensions for an accurate weathervane. Ornately designed arrows that point into the wind make beautiful and practical weathervanes.

Silhouette: This was the style used by Medieval businesses to sport their wares.

Swell-bodied: This three-dimensional style was common in early American weathervanes.

Full-bodied: Also three dimensional, the proportions of a full-bodied weathervane are more realistic than the swell-bodied style.

Whether you want a decorative weathervane or a beautifully crafted practical weathervane, you will need to have a mount. Don’t forget the mount will be outside in all weather conditions. If you want your weathervane in Colorado Springs to survive both summer and winter, you will need a sturdy mount to stand up against the weather elements.

At Northwinds Forge, we’re the one-stop-shop for handcrafted weathervanes in Colorado Springs. Contact us to talk about locally made, hand-forged weathervane designs.