Best Wind Chimes For Calming Outdoor Sounds

Factors To Consider In The Best Wind Chimes

Image Source: homedepot.com

The best wind chimes come in an elegant design, produce pleasant, enchanting sounds, and stand up to the elements. The following factors to help you find your ideal wind chime:

1. Type

There are several types of wind chimes on the market, each with its unique look and sound. The more common types include:

A). Tubular Chimes

These are the most common wind chimes, usually shaped like tubes or rods. They are made from different materials, such as metal and bamboo. Tubular chimes produce a mellow, soothing sound, perfect for wind chimes.

B). Bell Chimes

These include bells in their setup. Some bell chimes are fully made of bells, while others include bells and chimes. They are popular for their delightful, light tinkling sound. They are perfect to use as outdoor wind chimes because they are designed not to rust.

C). Decorative Chimes

These are keener on aesthetics than sound. Glass and seashell chimes are perfect examples since they can reflect light while sounding pretty fantastic.

D). Celebration Chimes

These often come with personalized engraving options. Celebration chimes often offer a meaningful way to cherish a loved one or honor an important moment.

E). Feng Shui & Gong Chimes

These feature a metal brass and wooden clapper, and they stand out in both their look and sound. They sound like a gong when struck.

2. Chime Tone

Image Source: aliexpress.com

The tone of a wind chime relies on its design, size, shape, and material. The material usually has the biggest influence on how a wind chime sounds, meaning each type produces a unique tone.

A). Metal

Metal wind chimes create a crisp, piercing sound. Furthermore, tubular metal chimes can be tuned to musical notes, ranging from low, calming notes to radiant high notes. The metal vibrates more than other materials; as such, metal wind chime sounds carry further.

B). Wood And Bamboo

Wood and bamboo wind chimes produce hollow, mellow tones that sound more like an echo than a chime. However, the hard exterior helps to create a clear clunk. These two sounds combine to deliver a balanced, subdued tone.

C). Glass

Glass chimes produce a light, musical tinkling. Their delicate sound doesn’t carry as far as metal tubes since glass does not vibrate as much.

D). Clay

Clay wind chimes create a host of tones depending on the material’s density. Light clay creates a high-pitch, almost hollow sound, whereas dense clay brings out richer tones, almost like metal chimes but lacking long-lasting vibration.

F). Other Metals

Aluminum wind chimes produce better-sounding wind chimes thanks to the metal’s superior vibration. Copper and brass wind chimes are also growing in popularity due to sounding almost similar to aluminum tubes but with a softer sound effect. Quality steel chimes are almost just as good as their aluminum counterparts, but cheap steel translates to harsh-sounding wind chimes that are more clank than musical.

3. Volume And Clarity

A wind chime’s volume and clarity are mostly dependent on its material and size. As previously mentioned, metal wind chimes produce sharp, crisp tones and can also play particular musical notes. On the other hand, glass, bamboo, and wooden chimes have more subtle tones, although wood and bamboo create duller tones.

Image Source: rona.ca

Hollow chimes create sounds that carry further than solid chimes because the hollow tubing yields more vibration hence emitting a louder and longer vibration. That means metal and bamboo tubes tend to be louder than chimes with flat shapes.

4. Chime Duration

The material and design of the wind chime are the main factors for how long the chime lasts. The longer a material vibrates, the longer its sound will last. Metal chimes vibrate easily and produce longer-lasting sounds, especially hollow tubing ones. Wooden and bamboo chimes usually create brief sounds.

The weight of the sail can also affect chime duration. A sensitive wind chime with a light sail only needs the slightest breeze to get going. Conversely, a heavy sail results in a less sensitive wind chime because it takes more wind to get them jingling; they tend to be quieter on calm days.

5. Note Variety

Metal wind chimes can create specific musical notes. Some can be tuned to play particular songs. Essentially, the more tubes a wind chime has, the more notes it can play. More tubes also mean more places for the clapper to strike, resulting in greater tone variation.

Tube size also comes into play for note variety. Longer tubes deliver lower, fuller tones, while shorter tubes create higher, sharper tones.

6. Additional Features

Wind chimes are equally an accessory to your house. You can look out for a unique design that best matches your space. Furthermore, you can also find wind chimes sourced from recycled materials, such as wine bottles. If you are particular about using wind chimes as part of decoration, glass and crystal chimes are usually the go-to options.

7. Environment

Wind chimes are usually left outdoors and exposed to the elements, meaning they deteriorate over time. It’s important to get a durable wind chime that can withstand the weather. Consider a rust-resistant option if you opt for a metal wind chime or a rot-proof one if you choose a wooden wind chime. Glass and seashell wind chimes won’t rust or rot, but they require extra care since they’re more brittle.

Placement is just as important. A covered outdoor space, such as a gazebo or pergola, offers more protection from direct sunlight or rain. It’s always best to keep your chimes indoors during heavy storms or extremely cold winters.

Just as crucial, you also have to consider your neighbors. If you live pretty close to each other, you might want a material whose sound doesn’t carry too far.

How To Hang Your Wind Chime

Image Source: jumia.co.ke

1. Hang your wind chime directly from the ring hook. Never extend the top string by adding a string or chain, which can cause the whole chime to swing.

2. Most wind chimes are tuned to start jingling at 6 to 10 mph wind speed. Therefore, avoid hanging your wind chime within two feet of anything that might obstruct or divert a breeze or wind.

3. Hang your chime at a spot where the wind can blow it from as many directions as possible. Try out different heights as well since wind speeds tend to increase with higher elevation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Wind Chimes

1. Where’s the best place to hang wind chimes?

Any spot where a gentle breeze or light wind blows like the veranda will do. That means it shouldn’t be too still or too windy. Experiment with different locations to figure out what works best for you.

2. What’s the ideal number of chimes in a wind chime?

The number varies, so it depends on personal preferences. Basically, fewer chimes create simpler melodies, whereas more chimes produce more complex sounds.

4. Do wind chimes scare birds?

Yes! In fact, wind chimes were partly used back in the day to scare birds away from crops. That being said, birds may get used to your wind chime over time and return to your garden. 

5. What are the types of wind chimes?

Good quality wind chimes are a lovely addition to your home and garden. There are several different types of wind chimes for both outdoor and indoor spaces. These types include

• Tubular chimes

• Bell wind chimes

• Celebration and memorial chimes

• Decorative chimes

• Feng Shui and Gongs chimes