What You Need to Know about Rain Chains

Posted by Ryan Huang on Oct 15th 2014

If you’re the type of person who loves to strike a balance between decorative and functional when it comes to your outdoor home décor, then the chances are excellent that you’d positively love a rain chain. Rain chains are more than just attractive ways to add character, pizzazz, and appeal to the outside of your home. They actually serve a very useful purpose as well. Let’s take a closer look at the wonderful world of rain chains and examine what they can do for your property

What Exactly Is a Rain Chain?

Most modern homes feature one sort of downspout system or another. A downspout system helps to collect and redistribute water during storms and periods of heavy rainfall. (Redistribution of the water is from the roof and the rest of the house structure to the ground.)

Rain chains are actually an alternative version of a downspout system. They consist of a series of cup-shaped vessels arranged in a vertical line that act exactly as a traditional gutter system does in that they successfully guide the rainwater from the roof down to the ground via holes located at the center of each of the vessels.

The Benefits of Installing a Rain Chain

Although your typical downspout system is probably going to work just fine for management of your rainwater, it can’t be denied that there are certain benefits to choosing a rain chain instead. For one thing, a rain chain is considered to be a classically beautiful addition to the outside of your home, so if you’re looking to round out a carefully crafted look, the right one might be just the ticket. Also, rain chains are just as effective (if not more so) than the average downspout system, so there’s really no reason not to switch things up.

Rain chains are also considered by some to be more efficient when it comes to the actual function they’re meant to perform. For instance, you will no longer have to worry about troublesome ice blockages clogging up your spouts in the wintertime. Instead, you’ll enjoy unique ice patterns created by the way water flows naturally through the rain chain apparatus – much prettier to be sure!

Different Types of Rain Chains

As is the case with other types of outdoor home décor, there are a wide variety of different rain chains available, so don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re stuck with one boring type that may not work for your home. Various chains are made from wood, metal, or even ceramic. They also come in a variety of different sizes and styles, so it’s easy to find a rain chain that perfectly suits your property.

Choose a rain chain made of a material like copper for a beautiful item that ages naturally and adds more beauty and character to your place as time goes by. Even choose several different chains and switch them up as you see fit. (It’s simple because they’re so easy to install!) It’s really all up to you. With rain chains in your corner, you’re only limited by your own imagination as far as the atmosphere you can create.