How to Install Antique Weathervanes

We all have different preferences when it comes to decorating our properties, but few of us have ever thought about antique weathervanes. They actually add a nice touch, and serve the double purpose of an unusual design and useful purpose. In addition to the peaks of houses, antique weathervanes can be added to barns, gazebos or gardens.

Whatever building you attach it to, remember that it must go on the ridge pole (the peak of the roof), and it needs extra support below it. In order to install antique weathervanes, you'll need the mounting hardware, plus a drill, some caulk, appropriate nails, a hammer, and extra roof shingles.

To begin installing your antique weathervanes, find a good spot to install it. Generally, a weather vane should be installed on the tallest peak of the structure. This is where the ridge pole is situated; your antique weathervanes will slide inside of this. Measure the diameter of the pole at the bottom of the weather vane (the spire).

Then, drill a hole into your roof, located on the ridge pole, the correct depth and diameter for the spire. You need to be absolutely certain that the spot has support from underneath before you begin drilling to install your antique weathervanes. Use the antique weathervanes' reinforcement brackets to sure up the spot.

The antique weathervanes can be installed once the best location has been chosen and the support brackets put in place. Now you'll need to put caulk around the hole, but you must make sure the level is stable before you begin. Drill a hole through an extra roof tile/shingle and place this over the spire to support the top of the antique weathervanes.

Nail the tile down onto the roof and put caulk all around it. Each individual antique weathervane may have additional instructions to follow to be sure its particular shape is completely supported. If possible, find instructions for this step, or speak with someone who is more knowledgeable about installing weather vanes. Once this is done, installation is complete.

One other condition does apply. The instructions given above for installing antique weathervanes assumes that a ridge pole is already in place. However, while any house will have one, barns and gazebos don't have ridge poles. This may or may not be a problem, depending on the material of your weather vane. Be sure to add extra support for copper weather vanes.

If you're the type who just likes to set your house apart, you might like to use antique weathervanes on your property. When they go well with the overall design, they can be a neat addition.