Weather vane on the roof of a house: examples, installation features

Let’s talk about such a completely optional, but beautiful and original detail of the roof of a house, like a weather vane. We will clearly show with photo examples what they can be, we will tell you how much they cost, how and where they are installed on the roofs of houses.

In the Middle Ages, the installation of a weather vane was a necessity. This simple device helped to accurately determine the direction of the wind. In coastal settlements, where there were many sailors and fishermen, weathercocks were an indispensable attribute. But people very quickly appreciated all the beauty and decorativeness of this element installed on the roof. Therefore, soon weather vane began to appear everywhere in cities where the direction of the wind was not so important..

But this forged element became a kind of advertising and told passers-by that, for example, a shoemaker or a barber lived in this house. In addition, weather vane very often played a mystical role, people believed that they could protect the house from misfortune and demons.

Traditionally, the weather vane is installed on the most noticeable place of the roof: a ridge, a turret or a spire, a cap on a chimney – not for nothing, as we wrote, it is called a weather vane. The main thing is that the weather vane is perfectly visible from any point on the site, even from the road, that is, from afar. And nothing interfered with the wind flows, because the weather vane still shows the wind direction perfectly.

The most popular figurines for weather vane are animals and birds. For example, a stork is a symbol of replenishment in the family, family happiness in general. The rooster is designed to protect the house from thieves and other intruders. In addition, this is a reference to the apostle Peter, who, according to the New Testament, realized his mistake when the cock crowed. Cats are a symbol of fertility, extensive offspring and wisdom, love of freedom. The chimney sweep attracts good luck to the house, and the witch protects from the evil eye. A dragon on a weather vane will ensure good luck in business, a griffin – power, a rider – victory. A dog is a symbol of the friendliness of the owners, an owl – wisdom, an eagle – pride, a lion – courage, an angel – the importance of the spiritual component.

In addition, there are more mundane weather vane – just with a house number. What? From a distance it is visible and original. It is also customary to complement symbolic figures with Latin letters denoting the cardinal points, so that it is clear where the wind is blowing from..

Finished weather vanes can cost very, very differently. The simplest rotating roof figurines can be purchased for 200 rubles. And forged hand-made models, with a complex system that ensures the accuracy of the wind direction, can cost about 50 thousand rubles.

As for the installation, the main part will be the stand, which has mounts specifically for installation on a chimney cap or ridge. The stand can be welded or screwed to the base. It is very important that the rotating element that allows the weather vane to spin under the influence of the wind is protected from moisture and operates easily..