Wind Chime Buying Guide and Reviews:

Wind chimes make an excellent addition to any garden or outside deck or porch. There are special kinds of wind chimes that are meant for indoor use as well. If you have ever been to a house or yard that had a wind chime you most surely realized how beautiful they sound when the wind blows through them and creates a musical noise. Countless stores sell wind chimes and we have even seen them sold in artists galleries that have been hand crafted with stained glass and other unique touches. When looking to purchase a wind chime, look for features like durability, the ability to have it tuned to notes, indoor use options, color varities, and materials. If you plan on placing your wind chime in your yard (outdoors), you will want a durable material that can withstand not only wind but harsh weather like rain or snow and hot sun.

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Metal wind chimes are the most durable and therefore the most popular types of wind chimes available. Besides being durable, metal wind chimes have the ability to be tuned to specific notes and tones. Owners say metal wind chimes make beautiful music and play famous songs and themes. Consumers also say they prefer metal wind chimes since they are weatherproof and rust resistant. Bamboo wind chimes may not be quite as durable as metal ones, but the deep, hollow sounds they create are relaxing. Bamboo chimes can not be tuned like metal wind chimes, but the sound quality is still excellent. The one tendency of bamboo wind chimes over time is to split. The wood is lightweight and exposure to sun and rain can eventually lead the bamboo to split. The material of choice for those searching for unique and decorative wind chimes is either glass or ceramics. They are great for both outdoor and indoor placement and the shapes and designs are endless. If you want a wind chime that can play lots of melodies and harmonies, look for one with lots of tubes. The more tubes on the wind chime, the more notes it can play. Length of the wind chime tubes will also directly effect the sound quality. Higher pitched sounds will come from shorter wind chimes and longer wind chimes will provide lower, fuller tones. The wind chime sail is the piece of the chime that extends lower than any other part and is responsible for catching the wind and moving the tubes of the chime. The top selling wind chimes are set up to start chiming at about 8-10 mile per hour winds. When it comes to wind chime design, the tubular wind chimes are in the highest demand. Tubular wind chimes are usually made of pewter or aluminum and they offer accurate sound quality along with great looks. Bell wind chimes are designed with multiple bells that play as the breeze hits your chime (often made of brass). The top brand names in wind chimes are Woodstock, Corinthian, Arias, Harmony Hollow, Music of the Spheres, Weatherland, Spirit Winds, Asli Arts, Heritage Pewter, Kenroy, JW stannard, and Goose Rock Designs. Wind chimes cost about $20-$50 and the best selection online we found was at Windchime.com. Once you have bought the wind chime, put in a good spot in your yard where the breeze will catch the "sail". Many homeowners hang wind chimes from tree branches, overhangs, decks, porches, and doorways. Below we have tried to list the most popular and best selling products in each category.

Metal Wind Chimes:

Since most people put their new wind chimes outdoors, finding a durable chime is the #1 feature consumers look for. We feel the Corinthian Bells Wind Chime ($38) is an excellent choice for a top rated metal wind chime. The overall lenght of the chime is 29 inches and the tubes are made of aluminum with 4 finishes offered (copper vein, midnight blue, patina green, and black). 6 tubes are included and the heavy-duty design of this wind chime make it perfect for any outdoor setting. There is even a 5-year limited warranty assuring you have years of trouble free use. If you go online to Windchime.com, pull up this product and listen to the chimes right through your computer to see how it sounds. Another, more expensive choice is the Music of Spheres Mongolian Wind Chime ($60 to $280). The tubing will never rust on this chime and the corrosion-resistant finish makes for the best durability around. This particular wind chime has a huge price range since there are 4 lenghts available (30, 40, 50, and 60 inches). Each length option corresponds to a sound - soprano, mezzo, alto, and tenor. Listen online and you will agree the sounds are incredible.

Bamboo Wind Chime:

The most natural looking wind chimes are those made of bamboo. The Half Coconut Bamboo Wind Chime ($20 to $25) is available in 2 lengths and the special finish will help this bamboo chime last a long time. The mellow tone from this bamboo wind chime will keep your backyard sounding exotic and looking terrific. Owners say this particular chime looks best in a garden or hanging from a porch.

Glass Wind Chimes:

The Glass Buoy Chime ($40-$50) is a popular choice for those seeking a unique, yet stylish glass wind chime for their backyards. This natural looking wind chime has hand-tuned bamboo chimes and a hand blown glass orb top. For an authentic glass wind chime, consider the Round Blown Glass Wind Chime for around $25. This beautiful glass chime will help show off any garden or yard with 4 tubes and 3 color options for the glass.

Ceramic Wind Chime:

For a real showpiece in your garden or yard, go with a ceramic wind chime. The styles and designs are truly unique without costing too much. Our favorite is the Earthenware Rooster Wind Chime that is only $40. The brightly colored ceramic rooster sits above the aluminum tubes.

Solar Wind Chime:

If you get more sunlight than wind in your yard, consider a solar wind chime. Solar wind chimes are a great alternative to traditional wind chimes since they run on solar power (sunlight). Many people say the solar wind chimes are great for indoor use as well if you have rooms that get sun exposure. The Spiral Solar Wind Chime ($80) is a bit pricey, but the design and style will make this product a conversation piece. It's made of aluminum and is almost 1 foot long. There are 3 tubes that run off of solar cell technology. The amount of direct light given to the cells will determine the sounds it emits. Reviews of this chime are all positive and the solar wind chime is sure to improve the feng shui around your house. It's available on the internet at Windchime.com with free ground shipping.

Make Wind Chime:

Do you want to make your own wind chime? It's really pretty easy if you have the right tools and directions. We found an excellent online tutorial with step by step instructions from Lowes home improvement store. Their how to guide on "Making Pipe Wind Chimes" can be found HERE. The skill level is considered intermediate. There are sections on tools & materials, selecting the chime material, setting the length of the chime, cutting the chimes, drilling the chimes, making the platform and clapper, and assembling the wind chime.

Do you have a quality site or product that belongs in this guide? We are always happy to evaluate or review new products and websites. Feel free to contact us at the email address below and let us know about you. If you have a demo product you'd like us to look at, please contact us before sending anything. Thank you.

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