9 Important Things To Consider When Using A Rain Chain

Summary

Consider the material: Aluminum is lightweight and well-suited for longer chains, copper is relatively durable but more expensive, and stainless steel is heavyweight and good for high-wind areas.
Choose between links and cups: Links are simple and minimalistic, while cups can hold more water and are better for heavy rainfall areas.
Consider appearance and cost: Copper rain chains change color over time. Copper is the most expensive, aluminum is the least expensive, and stainless steel falls in the middle.

Rain chains are attractive alternatives to downspouts. These devices help move water from your roof, down to the ground, the same way a traditional gutter and downspout would. Depending on the design, your rain chain might provide some soothing white noise as the water drips down the chain into a rain barrel or the ground.

When deciding to install a rain chain there are a few factors to consider. Discover nine important things to consider when choosing a rain chain for your yard, so you can be sure to choose the perfect fit for your home!

1 Choose the Best Material for the Job

The pros and cons of the different rain chain metals

The first thing you should consider when choosing a rain chain is the material it's made from. Rain chains are made from three different types of metals.

Rain Chain Material	Positives	Drawbacks
Aluminum	Lightweight Well suited for longer chain lengths. A variety of hues are available.	Requires corrosion protection to protect it from the elements.
Copper	Relatively durable. Soft and lightweight material.	Can be more expensive than aluminum. Oxidizes in the weather
Stainless Steel	Heavyweight Good for areas with high wind. Best metal if you don't want to apply corrosion protection.	Heavy weight of the material makes it less suitable for long chains.

If your copper rain chain has oxidized, and it's covered in a patina, any water you collect is no longer safe for humans or pets to drink. You should also avoid watering your plants with it.

2 There are Two Main Styles

The benefits of links and cups

decorative rain chain — Image credits: Jacquie Klose via Shutterstock

Once you know the material you want your rain chain to be made of, it's time to consider which style you want. Rain chains come in two main styles with water dripping down through links, or cups.

Style of Rain Chain	Benefits	Different Shape Options
Links	A simple design. Minimalistic — perfect if you don't want to draw attention to your rain chain.	Rectangle links Twisting loops Oval links
Cups	Can hold more water than link chains can. Better if you live in an area with heavy rainfall.	Triangles, circles, and squares. Scalloped Conical shaped

3 Consider Your Rain Chain's Appearance

Choose a style, material, or color that fits your home

rain chain 2 — Image credits: Surasak_Photo via Shutterstock

The material and style of the rain chain play a role in its appearance. However, your personal esthetics play a role as well. What do you think works best for your space, and what would you like to see on your home every day? In addition to style and material, another factor to consider is color. Rain chains come in a variety of colors including:

Silver
Copper
Gold
Oil-rubbed bronze

One of the things that makes copper rain chains so popular is the fact that they change color over time. The original copper shade will change to a beautiful, mottled green shade as it's exposed to water with each patina being completely unique.

4 Cost Plays a Huge Part

Your budget needs to be considered

rain chain in action — Image credits: Kaiton Yepoon via Shutterstock

One factor that might play a role in your decision about which rain chain material to choose is cost. The cost of metals can change over time; however, each metal usually fits in a certain price bracket.

Most Expensive	Least Expensive	Somewhere in the Middle
Copper — $85 to 150 average	Aluminum — $50 to $100	Stainless steel — $60 to $120

5 Consider Your Local Weather

Will your rain chain withstand the elements?

water on rain chain — Image credits: Troy Rocco via Shutterstock

Your local weather is a big factor in determining which rain chain to install on your home. Weather can play a role in what material you choose, and what style of chain works best for you.

Local Weather	Best Material	Best Shape
High Rainfall Amounts with Low Winds	Copper Stainless Steel	Cup-shaped gutter chains — they handle higher water quantities better than link-shaped rain chains.
High Winds	Stainless steel	Cup-shaped rain chains — they're less likely to spill water in high wind gusts.
Low Rainfall Amounts and Low Winds	Aluminum Copper Stainless steel	Both cup and link-shaped rain chains will work in your area!

6 Measure for Size and Length

Get the right size to prevent damage

cup rain chain — Image credits: kaitong.yepoon via Shutterstock

Before purchasing a kit, or buying a length of chain to DIY your rain chain, you need to know the distance from your roof to the ground. Every home has a different roof height. The length of chain you need will also vary based on where along the roof you want your chain to run as well as how you're planning on collecting or directing the water at the base.

Measure	Using a ladder and a measuring tape, measure the distance from the bottom of your gutter to the ground. This is the maximum length your rain chain will need to be.
Subtract	Subtract the length of any hardware you plan on using. If you're collecting the rain in a rain barrel, subtract the height of the barrel from the length of the chain as well.

7 Where the Water Ends Up

The water needs to be directed

rain barrel — Image credits: Lea Rae via Shutterstock

Moving water from your roof, along a rain gutter chain, is only the first of a two-step process. You also need to know where you want the water to go! A rain chain can't just hang in the air, it needs to be anchored to either the ground, or a water collection device like a rain barrel. This allows the water to flow down the chain and away from your house.

Method	What You Need to Know
Anchored to the ground	Your rain chain needs to stay vertical in order to properly direct water, so the anchor will need to be directly below the top of the chain. The anchor is usually a metal plate that you attach to the chain. Stakes are hammered through this plate, anchoring your chain to the ground.
Rain barrel	Using a rain barrel allows you to collect and reuse the rainwater. Make sure you cover the top of your rain barrel with a mesh screen — this prevents animals, debris, and leaves from getting inside the barrel. Allow the chain to drain into the barrel through a hole in the top.
Decorative pot	You'll need a method of removing water from the pot, so it doesn't overflow. Drilling drainage holes in the bottom of the pot is an option so you don't have to manually empty your pot. Leaving the bottom of the pot intact allows you to pick up the pot, and use it to water plants in your yard after it rains.

Using a rain garden at the base of your rain chain is another great option. Rain gardens help absorb water and keep it away from areas you don't want it pooling — like the foundation of your home.

8 Placement is Important

Safely anchor your rain chain

rain chain attached to gutter — Image credits: Bowonpat Sakaew via Shutterstock

Since rain chains are aesthetically pleasing, you often see them on the front of homes or near windows. Some rain chains look and sound so amazing that you want to show them off! Some options for where to place your rain chain include:

The front of your home, or off your front porch.
Near a window so you can hear the sound.
Off of a garden shed, so you can collect the water to use in your garden easier.

Remember, wherever you choose to locate your rain chain, there's going to be water flowing in that area. You can use this to your advantage by locating it close to your garden if you plan on reusing the water.

If you're planning on anchoring your rain chain directly in the ground, make sure it's located somewhere off your house that doesn't have pavement, stones, or concrete. The chain needs to hang vertically. This means you need exposed ground below the top of the chain in order to hammer in your anchoring stakes.

9 DIY or Buy a Kit

How much labor are you comfortable with?

rain chain style — Image credits: takayan via Shutterstock

Rain chains are increasing in popularity. Homeowners are starting to see the benefits of installing a rain chain gutter on their homes. This means that the options for rain chains have expanded.

You can find plenty of DIY options online, but it's also just as do-able to find pre-assembled kits that have everything you need! Since both options are available to anyone with a basic DIY knowledge level, which one you choose is up to you.

Method	What You Need to Know
DIY Rain Chains	You'll need some basic tools like pliers and a drill. Will require you to buy a length of chain (and some pails if you want your rain chain to be a cup-style chain). Some hardware like 'S-hooks' will also be needed.
Rain Chain Kits	Should come with everything you need. You may need some basic tools like pliers, a drill, and a drill bit to install your rain chain kit. It might be necessary to make changes to the length of your chain depending on the distance from your roof to the ground.

Steps to Create a DIY Rain Chain

There are a variety of ways to make your own rain chain, using different materials and methods for attaching the cups and links. How you assemble your chain will depend on the materials and style you choose to use. However, the basic assembly steps follow a similar pattern.

Gather	Your materials might include a large chain for hanging, decorative cups, and a smaller chain or S-hooks to link the rain chain parts together.
Drill	If using decorative cups, drill a hole in the bottom of each cup to allow you to draw the chain through and for water to run down the length of the chain.
Link	Using S-hooks or smaller pieces of chain, link your decorative cups together.
Attach	Attach larger pieces of chain to the top and bottom of the decorative part of your rain chain, then attach the ends to your gutter and to your rain chain anchor.

If you're buying a kit, make sure you check the length of the chain it comes with against the length of chain you need. You can shorten a chain that's too long, but it's a lot harder to add extensions to a chain that's too short.

If you've been considering installing a rain chain in your yard, now you're armed with all the information you need! Be sure to share this article with friends and family, so they know the nine important things to consider when choosing a rain chain for their yards!