Frequently-Asked-Questions

General Questions:

Can I get a West Coast Weather Vanes catalog?

Can I order a West Coast Weather Vane online?

Will the value of my West Coast Weather Vane appreciate over the years?

I have an old weathervane and am interested in finding out if it is valuable. Can you help me?

Why are pennies placed inside a weathervane?

What is the difference between swell bodied and 3-D wine bottle?

What is a "Swell-Bodied" Weathervane?

What is the difference between a "Mirror Image" weathervane and a "two-sided" weathervane?

Installation & Size Questions:

What is involved in installing my weathervane?

I'd like to install a weathervane in my garden rather than up on the roof. What do I need?

I'm not sure what size weathervane I need. How can I tell which size vane will work best for my situation?

Surface Finish Questions:

Can I apply a protective coating to my weathervane to keep it shiny?

What will my copper weathervane look like as it ages?

Durability Questions:

How durable is the weathervane for hurricanes?

What about general durability?

How rust resistant is it ? (our home is on the water)

How durable is the weathervane for hurricanes?

Full Bodied Wine Bottle Weathervane

Swell Bodied Wine Bottle Weathervane

Example using the Wine Bottle Weathervane: The wine bottle itself should be quite aerodynamic in the wind. The wine bottle is mounted on the vertical rod so that more surface area is to the back of the pivot point. This causes the wind to “push” it so the tip of the bottle turns and faces into the wind. Thus, the wind cuts it like a knife. If you are in a high wind area, I would probably recommend going with the swell bodied wine bottle rather than the fully 3-D bottle, simply because the swell bodied version will have a narrower surface and therefore will slightly more wind resistant. However, if you have your heart set on the 3-D bottle, we are really not talking about that much more wind resistance so it would probably be only slightly preferable in high wind situations.

Please click on the thumbnails above for a larger, more detailed image.
The wine glasses would be slightly more vulnerable to high winds. Since the are soldered to the top of the north, south, east and west letters and the directionals are permanently affixed, they will not be able to turn so that their narrowest profile faces into the wind. However, because we make each vane to order, we can definitely apply some additional solder to make them as strong as possible.

The wine glasses would be slightly more vulnerable to high winds. Since the are soldered to the top of the north, south, east and west letters and the directionals are permanently affixed, they will not be able to turn so that their narrowest profile faces into the wind. However, because we make each vane to order, we can definitely apply some additional solder to make them as strong as possible.

Hurricanes will definitely push the limits of what ANY weathervane can take. I can tell you that handmade weathervanes are much stronger than any machine pressed weathervanes. I do know of one of our Large Golden Retriever weathervanes that sits on a roof of a second story home on a 2000 foot ridge top overlooking the Pacific Ocean. About 15 years ago, the Volunteer Fire Department located just two properties away, clocked winds at 123 miles per hour. The next-door neighbor’s roof actually peeled off during the storm, yet I am proud to say that our weathervane came through without a scratch! That type of wind definitely pushes the limits of what a weathervane can take, no matter how well made. Of course, if at all possible, it would be advisable to take the weathervane down, just to be on the safe side, if you have enough warning that such a storm is coming. However, because we do build each weathervane to order, if we know the site has high wind potential, we will do everything we can to make it as strong as possible.

I’ll tell you another story regarding one of our weathervanes and a hurricane. In 1996, we made a Large (three-foot sculpture piece) Rooster weathervane for a family in the Carolinas to go on top of a cupola on their new barn. Not a month after they put it up, Hurricane Fran roared through the area. The storm actually blew the entire cupola off the roof! Of course, their new weathervane went down with it. They found it in a field across the lane and its the tail feathers were bent, and it needed a neck adjustment. Fortunately, their insurance covered the damage so they mailed it back to us and we were able to repair it so it looked as good as new. While it was here, we created a small plaque, which we put inside the repaired weathervane. It read, BLOWN DOWN IN HURRICANE FRAN, AUGUST 1996 – REPAIRED BY KEN JENSEN.

If you look at the photos on the left, I’ll share one last story about a weathervane and a hurricane although, in this case, it was not one of our vanes. In 1954, a major hurricane blew the entire steeple off Old North Church in Boston. If you look closely at this amazing photo (courtesy of Kenneth Lynch), you can actually see the weathervane going down along with the steeple. Once the storm passed, the steeple was rebuilt and the weathervane repaired (see second photo), and it went right back up onto of the church.

Please click on the thumbnails above for a larger, more detailed image.

What about general durability?

Because well-built copper weathervanes can last a hundred years or more, in the course of their long and interesting histories, buildings can burn down beneath them; tree branches can hit them, storms can buffet them etc. However, more often or not, they are simply repaired and put right back up. Some old copper weathervanes have been repaired numerous times over a century or more and the person who repairs it often leaves a plaque inside it, describing who did the repair and when it was done. Many old weathervanes are literally time capsules that tell their stories over the many years of their existence. People who collect old copper weathervanes often treasure their histories as told through these repairs, old photos and documentation such as bills of sale, wills, exhibitions, newspaper articles etc. It can actually make a weathervane more desirable to a collector if the story of its life accompanies it as it moves through the generations.

How rust resistant is it ? (our home is on the water)

The reason weathervanes are made of copper (or brass, or nickel silver) is that these metals are non-ferrous, meaning they won’t rust. This makes them the metals of choice for weathervanes. Our vertical rod is made of stainless steel, also much better suited to damp or marine environments than are the cold rolled steel vertical rods that accompany most weathervanes (cold rolled steel rusts). Also, our vertical rods are made to our own specifications and the 3/8” diameter spindle (the slender top portion of our rods) is actually inserted into a 2” deep drilled hole in the ¾” diameter section of our rods and lock tighted into place. Most cold rolled steel rods just screw together and can work loose or break off over time.

What is the difference between swell bodied and 3-D wine bottle?

Please see the two side-by-side photographs of Wine Bottle weathervanes above. The bottle to the left is fully 3-D. The bottle to the right is swell-bodied.

Can I apply a protective coating to my weathervane to keep it shiny?

In answer to your question, we do not really recommend applying any protective coating to your new weathervane. The reason we use copper to make our weathervanes is its longevity. A well made copper (or copper and brass) weathervane can literally last a hundred years of more. There simply aren’t any coatings of which we are aware that will last as long as your new weathervane. What typically ends up happening is the coating will look good for perhaps five (or maybe even ten years, if you are lucky) and then it will start to crack and peal. At that point, the newly exposed copper will start to patina and you will end up with an odd looking, somewhat mottled surface.

When first put outside, the new copper will first weather a deep chocolate brown color. Over time, the copper used to create your weather vanes will usually patina to lovely and distinct shade of green. The rate at which it turns color depends on where you live. If you are right by the ocean, you might start to see green color within a year or two. If you are in an arid location like the desert, it may take a decade or longer to change color.

The patina process is unique to each individual weather vane. If you live by the ocean, you will often get a "speckled" patina which is caused by the sea salt in the atmosphere. If you live in an area with lots of rainfall, over time, your weather vane will develop a "weeping" patina. Each vane will develop an individual appearance based on its location and the environmental factors present. The patina is what makes your vane distinct from any other and is one of things collectors’ prize about antique copper weathervanes.

If you do like the shiny effect, we recommend adding some spot gold leafing. Gold leaf retains its shiny golden appearance throughout its long life. Many turn of the century and Victorian weathervanes were originally gilded. We use 23 carat gold which is designed for outdoor use. It is warranted by the manufacturer for ten years but should last considerably longer than that. Eventually the gold will start to flake off but even 80 year old copper weathervanes will often have traces of the original gold on them. By that time the original copper will usually have developed a beautiful rich turquoise colored patina and the contrast with the gold is quite stunning. Typically, a weathered copper weathervane with traces of the original gold on it will command the highest prices at auction.

What is involved in installing my weathervane?

Installation of your weathervane depends upon where you are going to put it. We provide detailed instructions on installing weathervanes on rooftops, cupolas, in the garden, deck or wall mounts, and more. Please view this installation page with more links to PDF printable documents describing all installations.

Will the value of my West Coast Weather Vane appreciate over the years?

While we can not guarantee that a West Coast Weather Vanes will appreciate significantly over time, we do know that we are one of only a handful of companies anywhere in the world who specialize in custom, handcrafted weathervanes. Each vane we make is made to order and entirely shaped by hand without the use of molds, so no two vanes are very exactly alike. I also believe we are the only people in the world who offer handmade copper weathervanes in the small (one-foot sculpture piece) size. Technically, small vanes are much more difficult to make than their larger counterparts. Unusual size and subject matter tend to make weathervanes more valuable as there are fewer of them that are ever made.

As is the case with older copper weathervanes, uniqueness, originality, craftsmanship, the natural patina acquired over time and limited production are all attributes that collectors tend to prize in antique weathervanes. There were never that many of the older weathervanes made and most of the better examples are now in private collections or museums. There are a lot more people who like to collect weathervanes than there a good examples out there on the market. When a fine example does become available, there are typically a large number of aficionados bidding on it which tends to raise the final price (see our Weathervane News section for examples).

In anticipation that our vanes may become collectable over time, we do keep very careful records for each weathervane we make. We recommend that our customers keep all the paperwork, correspondence, drawings and/or photos regarding their weathervane together and once they have received their weathervane, file all the paperwork where they keep their important documents. Because the weathervane is made of copper and has the potential to last a very long time, if the paperwork accompanies it as it moves through the generations, it should make the weathervane that much more valuable.

I have an old weathervane and am interested in finding out if it is valuable. Can you help me?

In answer to your question, we are not experts on antique weathervanes, but I would be happy to give you the names of three people who are. Any background information you can provide them with will be helpful in accessing the value of your vane. They should be able to tell you whether it is a potentially valuable antique or not. If it is, you might want to have it appraised for insurance purpose or for possible future sale. Generally, a fee will be charged if you decide to proceed with a formal appraisal.

Steve Miller

17 East 96^th Street

New York, NY 101228

212.348.5219

Ken & Ida Manko

Manko Antiques

P.O. Box 20

Moody, Maine 04054

207.646.2595

Judith & James Milne Inc.

506 E. 74th St.

New York, NY 10021

Phone: 212. 472.0107

Email: milneinc@aol.com

Web Site: http://www.milneantiques.com

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

P.S. If you ever decide to replace your antique weathervane, we would be happy to make you a new one!

Can I get a West Coast Weather Vanes catalog?

In answer to your question, our most current and update to date weathervane catalog is always available online. Because we specialize in custom, handcrafted copper weathervanes, we are constantly adding new designs to our product line (we currently have over 700 exclusive designs in a choice of up to four standard sizes). A printed catalog simply goes out of date before we can even get it printed but our website is constantly kept current.

On our home page, we do offer .pdf versions of our different categories of weathervanes (Birds, Wild Animals, Humans, etc.) and our different weathervane installation methods which you are welcome to print out if you’d like a hardcopy reference.

If, after visiting our website, there are any designs in which you are specifically interested, we do have color photos available and we would be happy to send them to you. Just let us know which designs are of interest and we can get those photos in the mail to you.

Can I order a West Coast Weather Vanes online?

Because we make each weathervane to individual order and customize the installation hardware for each weathervane, there are a number of choices for you to make even after you’ve selected the weathervane you want. For example there are many ways of Personalizing Your Weathervane, including “Lucky Pennies”, Inscriptions, types of Glass Eyes and color selections, and adding optional Gold Leaf. We can also do things like make male or female versions of certain designs, change features such as hair styles, clothing, types of manes and tails, matching markings, etc. No two weathervanes or installations are ever exactly alike so the best way to make sure you get the weathervane just the way you want it is to let us walk you though the ordering process. This typically takes about ten minutes. Our phone number is (831) 425-5505 or (831) 425-5505. Please give us a call at your convenience and we can get the ball rolling on your new weathervane.

What will my copper weathervane look like as it ages?

Copper (and brass) go through a number of distinct changes as they weather. The patina a copper weathervane acquires over time is unique and based on the environment in which it is placed. Typically, copper (and brass) will first weather a deep chocolate brown color. You will be able to see a slight variation in color between the copper and brass while in the brown stage but it will be quite subtle. Eventually, these metals begin to pick up a faint greenish patina. After a number of decades, both metals will go very green. Once the weathervane has turned green, copper tends to go a lighter turquoise green and the brass tends to go a darker green, however, environmental conditions such as acid rain, pollution, salt spray from the ocean, etc. can effect the final patina coloration so there can be considerable variation on the vane’s final appearance.

I’d like to install a weathervane in my garden rather than up on the roof. What do I need?

A garden setting is an excellent place to put a weathervane. It has the advantage of being visible from both inside and outside of the house. Here are some suggestions for Garden Installation

I’m not sure what size weathervane I need. How can I tell which size vane will work best for my situation?

Please review our sizing installation guidelines page for more information on selecting the right weathervane.

Why are pennies placed inside a weathervane?

During the 1880's, some of the Victorian weather vane makers began a tradition of putting copper pennies inside each weather vane they made. These were considered good luck and were always pennies from the year the year the weather vane was made Other vane makers put small brass plaques or other mementos inside the sculpture piece so it also functioned as a keepsake as well as a weather vane.

At West Coast Weather Vanes, we have decided to continue this century old tradition. We always include a penny from the year the vane is made inside each sculpture for good luck. However, because we build each weather vane to order, our customers are not limited to one penny. If you are purchasing your weather vane for a special occasion such as a birthday, in celebration of an anniversary, as a retirement gift or for any other reason that is special to you, we can include additional pennies for almost any year to commemorate the occasion.

One of my favorite examples of a customer's ingenuity in personalizing the vane ordered was a wonderful man who ordered one of our angel weather vanes for his wife's 50th birthday. On one wing we put the names of their six children. On the other wing we put the husband and wife's name. This was to be their guardian angel. He then went and found pennies from the year each of the children was born and had them make a wish on it for their mother's birthday. On one of the horizontal tube on which the angel sat, we put a 1946 penny (the year his wife was born) and on the other end we put a 1996 penny (symbolizing the year the vane was made and the year she turned 50). This is what her husband gave her for her 50th birthday present!

So feel free to use your imagination. If you are like most people, you will probably buy only one weather vane in your lifetime so you might as well have fun with the process. Anything we can do to personalize your weather vane so it can become a part of your family's tradition from generation to generation makes the process of creation more fun for us too.

Because we collaborate so closely with our customers, in many cases, we receive wonderful photos of their weather vane after it has been installed along with letters telling us how it was received. In a world as impersonal as ours has become, this is probably the most satisfying part of our creative process and it's always a treat for us to see where our weather vanes have gone and how our customers decided to display them.

What is a "Swell-Bodied" Weathervane?

The four photos that follow show how a swell-bodied weathervane works in the wind.

Weathervanes

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS