While our best-selling rain chains are always changing, there are definitely a few items that stand out. Some of these most beloved items? Rain chains, decorative alternatives to traditional metal or plastic downspouts, are a fantastic example of what this philosophy looks like in practice. They come in a wide variety of styles, but all have the same practical purpose: directing rainwater from rooftop gutters away from the house and to the ground (or to a storage vessel). Additionally, rain chains offer the benefit of being visually pleasing water features which enhance a home’s appearance. A rain chain can be as simple as a salvaged heavy chair. This look works well when you're thinking of rustic, decorative features to complement country garden ideas. The Japanese invented rain chains to collect and direct run-off into basins. While many today have incorporated the rain chain into the rainwater harvesting system, the traditional means of allowing the water to collect into a small basin was used for spiritual and auditory purposes, not for rain harvesting. Despite their different materials and styles, the molding of rain chains in Japan today is still being done by hand using copper. The GreenThings Pure Copper Rain chain is one of the best rain chains if you plan on collecting rainwater in a barrel or directing the flow to a nearby plant bed. The rain chain is about 8 feet long and consists of eleven cups. Although it comes in only one size, the length is adjustable—you can make it shorter by taking out the pins on the sides of the cups, or longer by adding a second chain. There is also a downspout gutter attachment and a hook, so you can easily hang it without purchasing additional equipment.

Ah, rain chains. Originating from ancient Japan (“kusari doi” for all of you who want to impress their Japanese friends with your new gutter story…) these beautiful ornaments are designed to navigate rainwater safely away from your house’s foundation. Now that we have this bothering question out of the way, we can proceed with Explaining why you should or shouldn’t obtain rain chains for your beloved home. Hand cast in aluminum, then finished with a bronze powdercoat these links are an artistic, sculptural rain chain design. Lightweight and stiff, this chain will add a designer look to your gutter system. Powder coating is a type of coating which includes metal that is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder. The coating is typically applied electrostatically and is then cured under heat to allow it to flow and form a "skin". It is usually used to create a hard finish that is tougher than conventional paint. Powder coating is mainly used for coating of metals. Comes with the Recommended accessory: 3" Bronze Aluminum Installation Kit. NOTE:This chain does splash; it will disperse the water coming from the gutter, but does not effectively carry the water down the actual chain to a single point below.However, if you have large overhanging eaves they hold fantastic practical advantages. In these circumstances a large structural drain would break up the silhouette of the building. So you’ll need to make sure there is a way for the overflow to drain properly if you do get too much water. Most rain chains come with a gutter clip or gutter installer that will be placed where the downspout is connected to the gutter. The next important factor to take into consideration is the size and dimension of your rainwater harvesting system. This includes knowing how much water (weight) your gutters can withstand. This would help you determine the weight and size of your rain chain, as you don’t want a rain chain whose weight exceeds the weight of the gutter. Adding such weight to the weight of the water in the gutters can cause your rainwater harvesting system to crash. It is, therefore, important to replace your drain pipe with a rain chain of equal or even lesser weight. MEASUREMENTS - 8-1/2 feet long. Chain link dimensions - 6-1/2 inches wide x 7 inches high. Our chain links are the largest in the industry, which will ensure all water is diverted away from your home.

Some friendly tips: Make sure you nail the rain chains to the ground(or your rainwater harvesting system, respectively) just in case. Overall: Is it worth it? QUALITY MATERIALS - Artistically designed and handmade using 20 gauge pure copper. The copper develops a beautiful patina over time. A functional brass bell compliments this unique look. Depending on the area in which you are and the volume of water you plan to harvest, having a cistern or other storage tank to store harvested rainwater is highly recommended. Depending on the type of rain chain you plan to use, your storage tank can be a barrel, galvanized tub, or stone drum with a hose inserted for easy use. Location Beneath the Kusari-doi it is common to place a prominent stone, a slab, a barrel or a stone basin of some sort to catch the water for later use. In gentle rain, erratically falling raindrops create attractive ripple pattern on the surface of such a basin, and provide yet more distraction. Look for Kusari-doi at the corners of traditional style houses, and at Japanese temples and shrines. They are most commonly found in the western and southern parts of the country and are rare in the north.Rain barrels usually come with a faucet and hose attachment at the bottom of the barrel. That way the water can be used on the garden or just drained away from the house. There exists a vast array of rain chains, each unique in material, quality, and style. It is, therefore, important to take your time when choosing your rain chain to avoid inconveniences later on. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the perfect rain chain. Design

While rainwater harvesting systems are certainly beneficial in terms of water conservation, some might consider the large downspout to be inconsistent with the overall aesthetics of their home or garden. Now that I have had it for a few years, I can say that rain chains work just as well as the downspout did, even when there’s a heavy water flow. Rainwater harvesting continues to prove to be one of the most practical and reliable methods that anyone can do to conserve water. Thoughtful Gift Choice - Whether for yourself or your friends and family, this rain chain makes a wonderful gift. Its unique design, durable material, and tropical allure make it a delightful present, allowing your loved ones to transform their outdoor spaces with a touch of natural elegance.The practicality of this system should be considered if you live in a particularly windy place.Sonia explains how this can affect the system,‘when there is a windy day the water flow can be interrupted’ causing some excess splash. Most rain chains are about 8 to 8.5 feet long. However, it’s usually pretty easy to extend them by linking together several strands, and some brands offer custom lengths for an extra cost. In terms of width, diameters for the individual cups or links can range from 2 inches to 4.5 inches. Any water-resistant linked rings can be used to create a rain chain, ranging from simple metal shower curtain rings to ring pulls from drinks cans connected with flexible wire. For light materials like this, you'll need to thread a length of stiff wire through the chain once connected to stiffen the rain chain, making it easy to position. First up, our neutral, floral, and stunning lily cup rain chain. This piece features a flamed metal finish for a goes-with-everything, metallic look that only gets more beautiful with age.