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Continue ShoppingWeathervane Installation & FAQs
Weather vane Installation and FAQs
How do I install the weather vane?
Fixing Options: A choice of fixings is included in the cost of your weathervane. Detailed descriptions and photos of our standard range of brackets are available on the weathervane fixings page, and bespoke brackets can be provided for specific installation needs.
Placement Tips: For accurate wind direction readings, mount the weather vane at the highest point available to avoid interference from trees or buildings . If you have chosen your weathervane for purely aesthetic reasons, then this is less important, but you will be able to see it more clearly if there is sky behind it rather than dark coloured trees or brickwork.
Accurate Weathervane Installation: Use a compass to set your North-South cardinal points, and double check which way up the letters are supposed to be.
Ensure the pole is completely vertical using a spirit level, and follow the instructions provided for your individual fixing. If you have any weathervane questions regarding your installation, feel free to ring on 01450 880380 and we'll be happy to give advice.
What size of weather vane do you recommend for my property?
There is often no definitive right answer, but it is worth considering the points below and using the graphic as a rough guide:
Personal Taste: The right size may depend on what looks best to you and your preferences - there is often no right or wrong answer.
Viewing Distance: Consider how far away you'll typically view the weathervane from – larger sizes are better for greater distances.
Design Details: If you are deciding between two sizes, it may be worth looking at how detailed your chosen weather vane design is - bolder designs may be fine in the smaller size, but if it is quite ornate it can often be worth going for the larger one.
Property Scale: A larger garden may benefit from a bigger weathervane for better visibility.
Ask Us for Advice: Simply send a photo of your intended location to jenny@blackfoxmetalcraft.co.uk or call us on 01450 880380.
Gilding Options
Cardinal Points (NSEW) and Sails: Black Fox’s weathervanes can be professionally gilded with 23.5 carat gold leaf for lasting brilliance. It is weather-resistant and superior to gold paint, which can dull over time.
Pricing: The standard rate for gilding cardinal points on any size of weathervane is an additional £110. Gilding areas of the sail varies by size and complexity, contact us for a bespoke quote.
Other Common Weathervane Questions
The sail must be balanced equally either side of the tube. In addition, there needs to be significantly more surface area at the back of the sail than the front to allow the wind to catch the design, and turn the sail correctly to indicate the wind direction. All of Black Fox Metalcraft’s weathervanes do function perfectly as weather reading tools.
- Zinc electroplating for rust protection. To learn more about the electroplating process, read this blog.
- Matt black powder coat baked on at 170°C for durability and traditional aesthetics.
- Anywhere between 2 and 6 weeks, depending on stock, customisation and current workload.
- If you are looking to purchase a gift for a set deadline, please contact us for a more detailed timeline.
- Vouchers can be sent out free of charge for last minute orders.
- Yes, overseas shipping is available.
- Since the introduction of GSPR rules, we regret that Black Fox Metalcraft can no longer ship into the EU.
- Fixings are included in the overall cost of the weathervane. Detailed descriptions and photos of our standard range of fixings can be found on our weathervane fixings page.
- We are happy to create custom weathervane fixings, often at no extra cost. Contact us via phone or email to discuss your specifications.
A weathervane design can feature pretty well anything you like. At Black Fox Metalcraft there is usually no additional cost for creating your own bespoke weathervane. (Please see our terms for details as to how much design time is included). This blog post gives some advice and describes in detail the design process, but in short:
- Contact us via phone or email to discuss your ideas.
- Jenny draws a design based on this conversation and sends to you as a jpg file via email.
- You then have chance to suggest any alterations to the design.
- We create the final design & send it over for approval.
- Once the design is approved, we process payment and manufacture the weathervane.