Weathervanes go beyond style

While weathervanes serve a very decorative purpose on many homes today, their original design was meant to show wind direction. The mounted part was a stationary pole that had four horizontal bars indicating the orientation of north, east, south and west. Another horizontal poles was balanced atop this base and though weighing the same on each side, one had a smaller, longer end while the other was larger and had less surface area. The smaller end would change with the direction of the wind and give a general idea of its direction. Weathervanes like this still exist but some others have changed with the times. The wind direction function has been updated for modern times and needs. Weathervanes can now be connected to an electronic system that detects wind direction and velocity with greater precision than traditional weathervanes. These electronic weathervanes can either be completely functional designs or they can be designed to look like traditional weathervanes. Like old weathervanes, the latter type can be designed to incorporate many whimsical images. Horses, roosters and fish are common images atop both traditional and modern weathervanes. If you’re considering buying a weathervane, research both styles to find the right one for your home.

Tagged as: Weathervanes