Recently, I discovered that my downspout was broken, so instead of getting a new one to replace it, I decided to go with a rain chain instead. It’s an item that is designed to do the same thing, but it is also more aesthetically pleasing. Before we take a look at eight of the best rain chains on the market, let’s talk a little bit more about the product.
What are the Benefits of a Rain Chain?
When you decide to get a rain chain instead of a downspout, there are a few benefits that you can enjoy, which include:
- Durability: These products are typically made out of copper, which is a strong metal material, instead of the vinyl material that most downspouts are made out of. In addition, since copper can be recycled, it is the more eco-friendly choice.
- Curb Appeal: Many of these items have elaborate designs that can help enhance the appearance of your garden or outdoor space. This is a great way to enhance the curb appeal of your home, especially if you plan on selling it.
- Easy to Maintain: Rain chains do not require much maintenance. They do not get clogged up like most downspouts, so they are easy to keep clean. The installation of these products is also very simple to complete.
How Do You Install a Rain Chain?
Installing a rain chain does not take much effort. In fact, if you have a downspout, all you need to do is remove it and place the unaltered rain chain down the hole where the spout used to be. Before placing the rain chain, make sure that the hole is not too large so that the water does not miss it when it rains. You may also want to anchor the base of the chain to the ground, especially in areas that have a lot of wind. Sometimes, there will be a gutter attachment that can be used with the rain chain.
How to Select the Best Rain Chain
When you are looking for a rain chain, there are going to be a few things that you will need to look into in order to find the best one that is on the market. Some of the things that you will need to take into account before making a purchase include:
Rain Chain Design – The design of the rain chain is going to be very important to give you a look that will help make your garden look exquisite as well as prevent splashing on your patio. Cup rain chains are a great idea for locations that are near to a window or a door because they will use the funnel design to stop excess splashing and channel the water the entire way down to the ground. Link rain chains are great for a garden as well, but they tend to create a lot more splashing, so you may need to be careful about their placement. If you live in an area where you get really heavy rain conditions, consider a large cup size design. For more information on rain chains that handle heavy rain, see our guide here.
Materials – Rain chains can be made from any metal material, but the most common options include stainless steel, aluminum, and copper. If you are looking to purchase a rain chain that is not going to fade or rust as time passes, then you are going to want to find a copper rain chain to purchase. Instead of rusting, a copper chain will turn green as it ages.
Installation – When you are deciding which type of rain chain that you need, you are going to need to consider the set up at your home and whether or not the installation option for the product works for you. If there are issues with your set up like the spout being too large, then there are installation kits that may help to make the rain chain that you would like to use work.
Copper Rain Chains
1. Copper Rain Chain with Florence Cups
This is a rain chain that is made out of copper material. It has a cup design that begins with upside-down bells that are called Florence cups. Each cup is cut with intricate detail that looks amazing, and because of the angle of the cup, the water barely splashes at all. The bells are all connected to create a chain that is 8 to 10 feet in length. With use, the unit is going to oxidize and become more of a green color.
To see our collection of copper rain chains, visit our store here!
2. Copper Watering Can Rain Chain
If you have a downspout in your garden, then it should be replaced with something that will match the outdoor space. This copper rain chain is ideal for the garden because it has cups that are designed to resemble watering cans that will change color as they age. These watering cans are connected with chain links that will help to keep splashing to a minimum. I general, this rain chain is available in lengths that are 8 to 10 feet in length.
Aluminum Rain Chains
3. Naoki Rain Chains with Aluminum Cups
This is a rain chain that is made with aluminum cups. These cups are relatively large in size, and they provide plenty of space to help hold the water in the cups to keep it from splashing. These cups are held together with a small length of chain, and each chain has about 16 cups on it. This chain comes with a V-hook that is designed to make installation easier, and this chain is typically about 8.5 to 10 feet long.
4. Star Flower Rain Chain with Aluminum Cups
The first thing that you are going to notice about this rain chain is the fact that the starflower design is made with unfinished aluminum. The chain is designed with approximately 21 cups along the product, and the rain chain is designed so that it can come in a length that ranges from 8.5 to 10 feet in length. At the top of each cup, there are three chains that are designed to connect each cp to the next.
To see our collection of aluminum rain chains, visit our store here!
Modern Rain Chains
5. Cylinder Rain Chains Made of Stainless Steel
When you are looking for a modern look, cylinders are going to be a great option to consider. These cylinders are about 4 inches long, so there are only going to be about 11 of them on a 7.5-foot chain. Fortunately, these chains come in longer lengths that range up to 10 feet in length. There is a small chain that passes through the cylinders, making it splash less. It comes with a V-hook that will make the installation process easy.
To see our collection of modern rain chains, visit our store here!
6. Rain Chain with Black Square Cups
If you are looking for some rain chains that have a matte finish, then these square cups are going to be a great option. They are small and subtle, but they do the job that they are designed to do without making too much of a splash. The cups are still made of aluminum with a matte finish that gives them a modern look. Each one has been hand-welded, and an 8.5-foot chain can hold about 20 cups.
To see our collection of black modern rain chains, visit our store here!
Garden-Themed Rain Chains
7. Butterfly Cup Copper Rain Chain
If you have a lot of flowers that attract butterflies to your garden, then this may be a great garden-themed option for you to consider. The cups that are separated with a chain are designed like butterflies on a copper base. Each one was designed by hand, and he detail that you can see on the cup is spectacular. A chain that is only about 8.5 feet in length can hold about 16 of these cups on each rain chain.
8. Buddha’s Lotus Petal Copper Rain Chain
This rain chain is one that is designed to look like flowers to add flavor to your garden. Each cup is made from copper material that was hand- hammered so that the petals look great. A standard chain, which is about 8 feet in length, will typically hold about 12 cups. Between each one, there is only one copper ring that allows the water to keep flowing down to the next one. The length of this chain can range between 8 and 10 feet.
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