FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

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 from the North and therefore a Northerly wind and its corresponding weather are indicated.

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.

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. I 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.

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.

Our roof caps are ornamental and I 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.

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. I recommend inspecting your weathervane periodically to ensure the figure is spinning freely.

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’ the right half with the left half resulting in a sharp un-craftsman-like seam. 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 are 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 for 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 mass-produced imported vanes.

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

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 at ferrovanes@gmail.com to check the feasibility of doing so on a particular weathervane.

Traditional weathervane designs only used 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 subject’s 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.

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 affect the integrity of the metal.  Click Here to see a color chart of the weathering process.

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.  I am glad to paint a figure for you. Please Click Here to send a request for a quote.

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

All of my 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 to a nicer design at an additional cost. (Click here for my 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 building’s ridge beam. Special mounting brackets are available when this isn’t possible.

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 my special process to create a classic golden-brown color on the copper. The realistic greenish-gray Verdigris finish on my 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 into 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.

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

There are clear coat products for metal when used outdoors. Weathervanes and cupolas require periodic maintenance and their lofty location makes them extremely difficult to maintain. Copper does not rust. The oxidation does not affect 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.

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.