Weathervanes

by Robert Domenico
Domenicos Ventures LLC

Weathervane

What is a weather vane?

A device that shows the direction the wind is blowing.

It is an instrument used to indicate wind direction. It consists of an asymmetrically shaped object, an eagle or a rooster, or various other objects, mounted at its center of gravity so it can move freely about a vertical axis. Regardless of the design, the portion of the object with greater surface area (usually the tail) offers greater resistance to the wind and thus positions the vane so that the forward part points in the direction from which the wind is blowing. The compass direction of the wind may then be determined by reference to an attached compass rose; alternatively, the orientation of the vane may be relayed to a remote calibrated dial. The wind vane must be mounted at a distance from the nearest obstacle equal to at least twice the height of the obstacle above the vane if the observed wind direction is to be representative of meteorologically significant wind patterns; for this reason, the vane is often mounted on a pole or tower that is in turn mounted on the roof of a tall building.

Weather vanes have enjoyed a variety of shapes and designs.Along coastal climate areas, nautical themes and boats were popular shapes. Churches often place rooster-shaped weather vanes atop buildings.

Weather vanes can be mounted in several different ways, roof mounts, garden poles, on cupolas, mantel base and floor mount.

For official purposes, wind is usually measured at a height of 10 metres or 33 feet, making larger buildings the perfect location to install a weather vane. They are now used mostly as decorations or folk art.

Weather vanes now come in three different sizes, garden, standard and estate. Most weather vanes come with assembly rod, directional set and spacer balls.

Weather vanes are very customizable and can be found in many different styles. They were traditionally made of iron or tin, but copper, brass, steel and cast aluminum have become more common materials. They come in polished copper as well as blue verde. Earlier weather vanes were typically animals such as roosters. Today you can find many different designs.

Article submitted Sunday, May 29, 2011 & read 13 times.

Please log in to leave your comments.
No comments yet.

0-0-0-0-2-ADSO

Most Recent