The addition of a weathervane to a building makes a statement. From stately to whimsical, weathervanes make lovely additions to homes, office buildings, and gardens. Although weathervanes evolved out of a practical need to know the direction of the wind, they are used primarily for decorative purposes today. Modern weathervanes maintain the functionality of their origins but have incorporated greater design and architectural style for present day use.

Weathervanes add architectural polish to a building. A weathervane atop your garage or barn can add a traditional decorative touch or provide character. For example, the rooster ornament is a very popular design with historic significance, but you may want something like a golfer or a racecar. The large array of available ornaments provides plenty of options to choose a weathervane design that suits the architecture of your home with added personal flair. Think about incorporating some personality into your weathervane selection.

You can find ornaments to complement myriad hobbies and themes. For example, if you are a wine aficionado, enjoy visiting vineyards, or run a vineyard, you might consider a weathervane ornament evocative of this. A weathervane design incorporating wine bottles and grapes would do the trick. If you enjoy sailing, the ocean, or have a beach house, a lighthouse or ship ornament could be a great detail for your weathervane. If a member of your household has a particular interest or hobby, you can find a weathervane design to match.

Adding a weathervane to the top of a home, garage, or barn is a great way to distinguish your home. If you live in a neighborhood with many homes with similar architectural styles, a distinctive weathervane atop your home will let visitors know when they arrive at the right location. The same can be true for business locations. Installing a weathervane demonstrates an attention to detail that customers can appreciate.

Consider the relative size of your building to choose a suitably sized weathervane. Likewise, if you will be adding a cupola or replacing a weathervane on an existing cupola, you'll want to choose a weathervane to complement the cupola's dimensions. Light-weight or smaller weathervanes are good for small buildings and also for use in gardens and landscaping applications. A weathervane can be installed on a deck or patio or as part of a fence to add beauty and character.

Weathervanes are a great way to add style and character to a building. Weathervane designs run the gamut from very traditional to modern and very rustic to stately. Although they still serve their historic purpose of indicating the wind direction, weathervanes are better appreciated today for indicating architectural style and character.