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  • Home
  • Weathervanes
    • In-Stock Weathervanes
    • Animals
    • Aquatic
    • Arrows & Banners
    • Birds
    • Boats
    • Cars, Trucks, & Airplanes
    • Custom Weathervanes
    • Dogs
    • Fantasy & Mythology
    • Fish & Whales
    • Horses
    • Plants & Insects
    • Sports & Culture
    • Repairs and Restorations
  • Roof Finials
    • In-Stock Finials
    • Ball Finials
    • Ball & Cone Finials
    • Figurative Finials
    • Rotating Finials
    • Round Finials
    • Scroll Finials
    • Spike Finials
    • Finial Bases
    • Repair and Restorations
  • Roof Caps
    • Bases for Vanes or Finials
    • Copper Roof Caps Quick!
  • Parts and Accessories
    • All Parts and Accessories
    • Balls and Ornaments
    • Bases
    • Dedications
    • Directionals
    • Hooks
    • Lightning Rod Parts
    • Mounting Brackets
    • Posts
    • Rings
    • Spacers
    • Time Capsules
  • Other Interests
    • Antique Lightning Rods
    • Cupola Plans
    • Repairs and Restorations
    • Weathervane Workshops
  • Information
    • About Ferro
    • Contact Me
    • Choosing A Weathervane
    • Custom Quote Request
    • Directions to the Studio
    • FAQs – And answers!
    • Finishes
    • Grounding
    • Policies
    • Reading List
    • Repairs and Restorations
    • Scrapbook
    • Sizing Weathervanes and Finials
  • Installation
    • Aluminum Weathervanes
    • Assemble Copper Vanes
    • Grounding
    • Installing Copper Vanes
    • Roof Finials / Roof Caps
  • In the shop

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

How do I read my weathervane?; What makes it turn?

The assembly portion made up of the post, compass points and globes do not turn. The figure/arrow is the only portion to turn. Most weathervanes turn and point/face into the oncoming wind. They are designed so that the greatest amount of mass is to one side of the spindle. This causes resistance for the wind and it pushes that part away until the slim front edge of the vane is facing into the wind. If a weathervane is pointing towards the ‘N’, the wind is coming out of the North and therefore a Northerly wind and its corresponding weather.

Do the weathervanes need to be assembled; Is it easy?

Your weathervane will be provided un-assembled to save on shipping costs/ ease of transportation. Most weathervanes only have 4 components to assemble. The figure, post, compass, and globes set. A screwdriver is all that is needed in most cases. Click Here for assembly instructions.

Why is a roof bracket not included in the price of copper weathervanes?

It is impractical to include a roof bracket with the weathervane due to the large variety of places a weathervane can be used. Some uses may not require a roof bracket and others may need special attention and prices can vary considerably. For these reasons mounting options are left separate from the main weathervane purchase. We will gladly work with you in determining the best and most economical method for your unique application. Click Here for a variety of different mounting options.

Do I need to have a cupola to install a weathervane?

No, weathervanes can be used with or without cupolas. A weathervane can be installed almost anywhere you desire. Click Here for a variety of different mounting options.

Can a roof cap be used to mount a finial or weathervane?

Our roof caps are ornamental and we do NOT recommend using one to solely support a finial or weathervane. Finials and weathervanes are supplied with long posts. Drill a hole in the roof to properly anchor the finial or weathervane separately from the cap. This will ensure a long-lasting, trouble-free installation.

Should my weathervane come down if a storm is on the way?

Most weathervanes are designed to work in winds up to 60 miles per hour. Quality hand-sculpted weathervanes may handle up to 85 mile per hour winds. Beyond these points it is best to remove the figure and compass. Restore them after the storm or storm season has past. If your weathervane has large horizontal surfaces like wings, be sure that you install a retaining hook to keep it from ‘flying’ away. We recommend inspecting your weathervane periodically to ensure the figure is spinning freely.

What is the difference between Machine Stamped and Hand-Sculpted weathervanes?

Figures that are Machine Stamped into pre-shaped molds in the blink of an eye are predominantly made in China, Indonesia, or Taiwan.  Some of these companies are naming these vanes as handmade.  Although human hands assemble the preformed pieces, they are NOT shaping them. It is misleading as it is NOT the traditional definition Americans are accustomed to.  Hand-sculpted weathervanes are created blow by hammer blow yielding a more unique figure with individual character. OUR  WEATHERVANE  FIGURES  ARE  COMPLETELY  HAND  SCULPTED! Most imported weathervanes are soldered together by ‘clam-shelling’ right half with left half resulting in a sharp uncraftsman-like seam. The close attention to the soldered seam on hand-sculpted vanes ensures a stronger and more attractive seam. The wall thickness on imported tubing and sheet metal is metric and a thinner gauge than standard American thicknesses. Tube and sheet metal strength and longevity will be less on imports. Imported vanes are supplied standard with cold rolled steel posts that are spray painted black. These posts are notorious for rusting quickly. Ferro Weathervanes posts & spindles are made of solid stainless steel and can be purchased as an option to those who purchase imports.  Also beware of spindles that ‘thread’ into the post as they always ‘un-thread’.  The biggest benefit of imported weathervanes is their affordability, although their prices have been creeping up recently. A hand-sculpted weathervane will most likely last longer and with fewer problems than the high production imported vanes.  The individual character and integrity of American-made weathervanes invoke the satisfaction we feel for finely crafted products and art.  It is conceivable that these weathervanes may increase in value with age and it is doubtful this will ever happen with the mass-produced imported vanes.

What is roof pitch?

Roof pitch is the angle or ‘steepness’ of your roof. The larger the number the steeper the roof pitch.

Can I add an arrow to a weathervane if it is not shown with one?

Most weathervanes can have an arrow added to the design. If you are interested in having an arrow added and the option is not listed, please email me to check the feasibility of doing so on that weathervane.

Why don’t all weathervanes have arrows?

Traditional weathervane designs only use arrows as part of the design when the subject needed help to “rotate” or if the pointing direction was not easily discernible. In most cases a horizontal tube was used to indicate the subjects relationship to ground level. E.g. a horse an inch or two above the horizontal tube would give the horse the impression of speed. Generally the direction the subject is facing is where the wind  is coming from and the type of weather along with it.

How long before the copper changes color?

Once bare copper is exposed to the air, it immediately begins to tarnish. Exposure to outdoor elements will expedite and increase this tarnishing and oxidation. Copper does not rust. The oxidation does not effect the integrity of the metal.  Click Here to see a color chart of the weathering process.

Can the copper figures be painted?

Yes, copper must first be properly chemically and mechanically cleaned.  Zinc chromate primer should be used as a binder and applied immediately after the cleaning process. There are several quality paints that can be used at this point.  We are glad to paint a figure for you. Send a request for a quote for a price.

Are wrought iron style weathervanes actually painted Aluminum?

Yes, the wrought iron style weathervanes are actually cast aluminum enameled black. The wrought iron look is due to the shape and texture inherent in the mold the aluminum is poured into.  

What is included with the weathervane?

All of our weathervanes are priced complete. They include a figure, post, directionals, and most include decorative balls.

  • The directionals’ style depends on the weathervane being purchased. Most come with a standard set, but you can upgrade the standard set to a nicer design at an additional cost. (Click here for our directionals options.)
  • All weathervanes also include a mounting post. Hand sculpted weathervanes are outfitted with a maintenance free solid stainless steel post & spindle. Machine stamped weathervanes come with a steel post but can be upgraded to a stainless steel post at a small additional charge.
  • Decorative Balls are included with most weathervanes. Copper Globes can also be purchased HERE, and Glass Globes HERE.
  • Only aluminum weathervanes come with mounting brackets due to being light enough to be surface mounted. Copper weathervanes should be mounted by directly embedding the post into the buildings ridge beam. Special mounting brackets are available when this isn’t possible.
What does Copper, Bronze, Verdigris, and Gold Leaf mean in Pricing?

These are the finishes. Natural copper is like a penny, a pinkish-tan color. This will darken to a chocolate brown for the first 2 to 10 years. The Bronze finish is a result of hand-rubbing chemicals in our special process to create a classic golden-brown color on the copper. The realistic greenish-gray Verdigris finish on our products is a result of a custom formulated chemical treatment that is hand rubbed for an authentic look. Over time, the elements will work their magic and turn the natural and the chemically treated Bronze and Verdigris finishes to an authentic weathered Verdigris. Gold refers to a true 23karat gold finish applied by leafing and burnishing the surface. Confused? Click here for a color chart.

Are the weathervane figures three-dimensional or are they flat?

Most of our weathervane figures are known as swell-bodied. Click Here for a detailed explanation of the different styles available.

Is there anything that can be applied to the copper to prevent it from tarnishing?

There are clear coat products for metal used outdoors. They require periodic maintenance and the lofty location of weathervanes and cupolas make them extremely difficult to maintain. Copper does not rust. The oxidation does not effect the integrity of the metal. If it is a shiny metal surface that is desired, the only metal that will not tarnish is pure gold. Gold leafing is available on most of our copper products. We do offer an automotive clear coat, without guarantee, that has proven to work well. Email for a quote.

What is the exact size of the weathervane figure? I see that in some cases only the length of the weathervane or arrow is listed.

Ferro Weathervanes automatically proportions the weathervane figure to the arrow. You will automatically have the correct size figure by using the arrow length to size the weathervane to your application. If you still need more detailed measurements please email me at FerroVanes@gmail.com

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