Are you sick of removing the debris that gets stuck in your downspout? Do you often wonder if you could find a better alternative that requires less effort?
In that case, we have good news for you. You can change your cumbersome gutter downspouts into an endearing outdoor décor. We know that you leave no stone unturned to make the interior of your house charming. So, the exterior shouldn’t look any less than the interior. That is why today we will share some of the best rain chains with you. They will not only divert the rainwater away from your home but also make this process look pretty at the same time.
Are you wondering if the rain chains are as functional as downspouts or do they just let the water beautifully cascade?
Well, we will not only answer your queries but will also help you find the best rain chains for your home. Without wasting a second, let’s jump straight into the article.
What are Rain Chains?
During rainfall, the water that is accumulated in the gutters falls straight into the drain. From there, the water slowly flows down the chain. Naturally, this process results in a significant reduction in soil loss and erosion. Hence, If soil loss is the problem, you should consider getting cupped chains as it prevents the water from splashing back.
As the name implies, these are chains that hang from the eave of your house or at a place where you install a downspout. Before going into the details, let us tell you that rain chains are not something new. Surprisingly, they were first made in Japan and they have been used for over a century. However, in America, they have become popular recently. Nowadays, you can see several versions of rain chains from basic to ornate that are used in place of downspouts.
What are the Best Materials for Rain Chains?
Multiple types of rain chains are available to choose from. Nevertheless, you will find one thing common in them i.e., they are all made of some kind of metal. Commonly, the options you have are stainless steel, aluminum, and copper. In order to choose any of these options, you need to determine what you need the most from a rain chain. For instance, if you are searching for a rain chain that lasts for almost an eternity without rusting or fading its luster, then a copper rain chain is for you. But, everything that has pros is bound to have some cons as well. A copper rain chain is not going to rust but it will turn green eventually.
To help you understand which material would be the best for your house, here is a brief description of the materials:
Copper
For decades, craftsmen from all over the globe prefer to work with copper to make rain chains. The reason behind this fondness is that copper maintains its gleam with frequent polish. Even if you use your copper rain chain for years, the finish will always be appealing. That means you don’t even have to spend your money on buying new ones every now and then.
Aluminum
The second most common material is Aluminum. Those who are looking for a budget-friendly and durable option, get an aluminum rain chain. With adequate maintenance, these can also last for a long time. On top of that, these resilient rain chains come in a plethora of amazing styles.
Stainless Steel
Even though this material is more expensive than aluminum, you won’t regret investing in stainless steel rain chains. Basically, it is a corrosion-resistant metal, so it can be utilized in combination with copper or often by itself.
Does the Length Of a Rain Chain Matter?
Here, the length does matter. You need to ensure that the water from the gutter doesn’t pool anywhere around your house, so hang the rain chain in a way that it goes into a drain pipe or pours into a water container. If it is not long enough, the water will drop from that height. And, that visual and sound won’t be pleasant from any aspect. On the other hand, if the length is too long, that extra chain will just roll around damaging the aesthetic value of the rain chain.
10 Best Rain Chains for Your Home
Now that you know the purpose and types of rain chains you can find the perfect one for your porch. But who has the time to scroll for hours to purchase the right one? And honestly, this whole experience is more nerve-wracking than appearing for a job interview. Therefore, to make the process as easy as a breeze, we have hand-picked 10 Best Rain Chains for you. We hope that after going through them, you find what you are looking for.
1. Monarch Black Powder Coated Aluminum Hammered Cup Rain Chain
Mostly, when people buy anything, the first characteristic they look out for is its durability. Keeping that in mind, we are presenting the first product in our list that is the epitome of resilience. This aluminum cup rain chain is one of the best rain chains that last for a lifetime without corroding.
As this is an adjustable chain, it guarantees a better flow of rainwater. Also, storage of this rain chain won’t be an issue. In the making of this rain chain, both aluminum and copper are used. So, you can purchase the copper variant in the same brand. Because of the installation hanger, you won’t need a hand to install the rain chain.
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2. Sunflower Home and Garden Copper Plated Umbrella Rain Chain (Bonus Adapter Installer Piece)
This is a pretty chain with a design that makes it look like it’s descending from the gutter. The water pleasingly flows down the unique umbrellas. With this copper-plated rain chain, your house will not just look good but it will sound good as well. This rain chain is 96” in height.
This size is almost twice the length of other traditional rain chains that are available in the market. A drain connector is present with this rain chain. Although there is no instruction available with the chain, it is extremely easy to put on the eave of your house. Above all, you get all of these features at a really good value.
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3. Ancient Graffiti Lily Multicolor Rain Chain
Introducing the fantastic Ancient Graffiti Lily Multicolor rain chain that makes your house visible even from the roadside because of the elaborate design. Instead of the cups, this chain has pretty flowers that add a pop of color to your backyard. As the rain run-off is coming down the chain, the colors of the flowers begin to sparkle. Isn’t that cool?
That’s why we say, in terms of design, this is one of the best rain chains on our list. As you get a hook with it, you don’t need anything extra to connect it to the gutter. Hanging this rain chain is truly a matter of a few minutes. It has the potential to bear with nearly any type of adverse situation, such as heavy rain.
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4. Jemeni Birds on Cup Mobile Rain Chain
The Jemeni Birds on Cup Mobile Rain Chain is a great pick. We assure you that you won’t find this anywhere else because the design of this rain chain is an outstanding work of art. The black-colored birds on the cup give it a natural look.
Although it has a bronze finish, it is powder-coated with iron to grant that sturdiness. It has 8 Cups of 3.35 inches in diameter on each one of them. The length of this rain chain is exactly 5.5 feet. which is good for single-story, low to the ground type houses. In addition to that, It has a hanger attached to it, so you can move it from your gazebo to a tree, or a windowpane.
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5. Rain Chains Direct Channel Link Rain Chain
The is an excellent budget pick on our list of the best rain chains. The design of this rain chain is different from any of the products mentioned above. Yet, in performance, this is one of its kind. This 8.5 feet long rain chain has 25 tube-like cups in the entire assemblage that will decorate your residence. One of the best qualities is that it is manufactured with high-grade copper, which makes the chain exceptionally durable and resistant.
The finish of this chain flawlessly matches any garden or roof. It takes care of the most common gutter issue—overflowing. Overall, it is an amazing option in terms of budget and attributes.
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6. Monarch Pure Copper Ring Rain Chain
Monarch is not a new name in the industry. They have been making the best rain chains for years. However, this candidate from our list is a creative and stylish innovation of the company. It is made of pure quality thick copper. The 59 assembled ring links make it 8.5 feet long. For installation, there is no need for buying extra pieces.
All you have to do is take off your existing downspout, feed the pin at the upper end of the chain through the gutter where the downspout was attached previously. After that, lay the pin across the hole and you are good to go. This rain chain prevents water from splash back as it falls down directly.
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7. Good Directions Fish Pure Copper Rain Chain
This rain chain by Good Direction is another great option. This is a handcrafted chain, so this will get you many compliments. This rain chain has only one color, still, it is more likely to match your home.
One of the best advantages of this is that it is rust-resistant. Therefore, once you install it, you don’t have to even think about replacing it as it remains in a good state for years. It has a wide opening for better drainage of rainwater.
The full length of 8.5 feet with a combination of fish cups and rings. This chain makes a wonderfully relaxing sound when the water flows in it. As a result, it makes your time in the backyard more enjoyable.
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8. Tfro & Cile Rain Chain
The 12 stunning blue gird shape cups and an enchanting acrylic pendant make this rain chain perfect for those who feel a need to accessorize their sprawling yards. But that doesn’t mean that people with small outdoor spaces can’t use it to jazz up the look of their home. This is an example of the best rain chains that are made of premium quality iron.
This construction makes it strong enough to bear storms and heavy water flow. The electrical paint process applied to it leads to a rust-resistant chain. The top and bottom diameters of each cup are 3.9 and 1.7 inches respectively. The entire chain is 8.5 feet long and the height of each cup is 3 inches. This immaculate design reduces rain from splashing. Hence, you get a nice auditory experience.
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9. Rain Chains Direct Square Link Rain Chain
This rain chain is a statement piece that makes your home more conspicuous in the eyes of the visitors. With the Direct Square Link Rain Chain, you have the chance to customize your backyard or garden a great deal.
The rectilinear geometry and the silverish color give them elegance. And, the rectangular pieces attached to the chain have just the right size. This rain chain has a standard height of 8.5 ft. People who are looking for a reasonable product would love this rain chain.
Each chain comes along with a hanging hook. Due to that, as soon as you take it out of the box, you can hang it outside your house.
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10. KAM Home Aluminium Artware Rectangle with Square Rain Chain
The rain chain may not be the answer to all the water drainage issues you are facing. But, it can help reduce erosion, save water, and add a cool feature to your home. This black aluminum chain comes with an installation kit. Thus, you don’t have to spend time figuring out the method to hang it on the roof of your lawn. The rectangular links create an 8.5-foot length chain.
To make it look even more attractive, you can purchase a nice basin and fill it with ornaments. The finish of this rain chain remains as good as new for an extended period of time.
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Rain Chains FAQs
What to Put at the Bottom of a Rain Chain?
The working of a rain chain is not so different from a downspout, the water that gushes from the rain chain makes its way into the drainage pipe. But, if you desire to turn this process into something unique and thoughtful, purchase a basin, a ceramic barrel, or a water feature. The runoff water in the barrel and basin can be used for plants, etc.
Moreover, if you build a French drain, you can add other decorative items like stone, plants, and flowers for a creative touch.
Can you Make a DIY Rain Chain?
Of course, you can add whimsy to the exterior of your house by making a rain chain with various objects. Feel free to use copper rings, recycled sheet metal, painted stock tanks, colorful rocks, copper tubing, tiny planters, and much more. Whatever synchronizes with the vibe of your house, search on the internet and make it by yourself.
Are Rain Chains Different from Downspouts?
The major difference between rain chains and downspouts is the amount of control you get. Rain chains are designed to be connected to the gutter system of your house in the cutout specified for a downspout. With a rain chain, you can decide whether you want to use the water in the garden or just drain it away from the house.
Not to outdone, they transform the noise of a downpour into a musical sound. Whereas downspouts do nothing to enhance the curb appeal of your property and their maintenance is not an easy feat.
Jamie is the founder of The Backyard Pros. When he was 15 years old he started working at a garden centre helping people buy plants, gardening products, and lawn care products. He has real estate experience and he is a home owner. Jamie loves backyard projects, refinishing furniture, and enjoys sharing his knowledge online.