Frequently asked questions

Pick the range by the size of the building and how far away you’ll see it from.

Exact sizes for every design are on its product page.

Think about where you’ll see it from. A weathervane on a house roof is usually viewed from the garden or the road, so it needs to be bigger than one on a shed you walk past every day. Compare the height on the product page with your roofline. If you’re still unsure, send us a photo of your building and we’ll suggest a size.

Polished copper starts bright and warm, then softens outdoors to a deep brown and, over many years, to green. Verdigris has that aged blue-green look from the day it arrives. Both are copper, and both last for years. It comes down to whether you want to watch it age or have the aged look straight away.

The figure turns freely on its stem, and the arrow or head points into the wind, so it shows the direction the wind is coming from. Set the N arm to face true north when you fit it. A phone compass is fine for this.

On our Farmhouse weathervanes, yes. Alongside the standard NSEW, we can supply arms for French, Italian and Spanish (NSEO), Dutch (NZOW) and German (NSOW) at no extra cost. Give us a call or email before you order.

A traditionally styled copper weathervane proportioned for smaller buildings and garden structures. You get the look and wind-direction function of a full weathervane without the scale of a Farmhouse model.

Sheds, garages, gazebos, workshops, summerhouses, fence posts and smaller homes. They’re sized for buildings where a Farmhouse weathervane would look too big.

You choose one fixing when you order. The 5″ eave bracket (for a wall, fascia or gable end) and the post bracket (for the top of a fence or gazebo post) are free. A roof mount straddles a pitched ridge, and a garden pole stands it in a lawn or border; these cost a little extra.

The copper figure, cast brass compass points, copper spacer balls, the steel stem, the bracket you chose, a locking ring and the fixings to put it up. Fitting instructions are on the product page and on our installation instructions page.

On a house roof, barn, stable, cupola or larger outbuilding. They’re sized to be seen from the garden or the road. On a shed or small garage they can look too big, so a Cottage weathervane is usually better there.

One fixing is free, whichever you choose: the 5″ eave bracket or the post bracket. Choose the 12″ eave bracket if your eaves stick out a long way, the adjustable roof mount for a pitched ridge, the 4-sided mount for a cupola or four-sided roof top, or the garden pole to stand it in the ground.

Yes. The steel stem can be extended for extra height, which helps it clear a ridge or chimney. Extension rods are in our Farmhouse accessories.

No. The stems are different sizes, so brackets and spares aren’t interchangeable between the two ranges. Every part shows which range it fits.

A bold steel silhouette with a black powder-coat finish. They’re compact and easy to fit, and they work as proper weathervanes, with a pivot bearing in the head so they turn freely in the wind.

Sheds, fence posts, gazebos, garages, summerhouses and smaller homes. They’re a good choice wherever a larger copper weathervane would look out of proportion.

Each one comes with a universal clamp bracket and backplate, plus two stems. The stand-off stem fixes to a wall, fascia or the side of a post. The vertical stem fixes to the top of a post or a flat surface. Screws, wall plugs and an Allen key are included, and the screws suit timber or masonry.

Sizes vary slightly by design. Most stand about 460mm tall and 380mm wide when assembled. Exact dimensions are on each product page.

Yes. Every Oakley weathervane ships free to the UK mainland (excluding the Highlands and islands), whatever the order value.

Our larger steel silhouette designs, finished in a black textured powder coat. At around 800mm tall when assembled, they’re big enough to be seen clearly on a house or outbuilding.

Houses, garages, workshops, stables and other outbuildings, or a sturdy fence post. For a shed or gazebo, an Oakley weathervane may suit better.

Each one comes with a universal clamp bracket and backplate (73mm × 55mm) and a 10mm steel stem that can be fitted straight or cranked. That lets you fix it to a wall, a fascia, or the side or top of a post. Screws, wall plugs and an Allen key are included.

Yes, one. On Cottage and Farmhouse weathervanes you choose how it fixes when you order, and you get the bracket you choose. Oakley and Traditional weathervanes come with a universal clamp bracket. Buy extra brackets if you want a spare or to change how it’s fitted.

Each part shows the ranges it fits at the top of its page. If you’re not sure which range you have, send us a photo and we’ll tell you.

Yes. We sell spare stems, compass points, copper spacer balls, set rings and brackets for our Cottage and Farmhouse ranges. See Cottage accessories and Farmhouse accessories.

Yes. Choose the mounting option on the weathervane’s own page and it arrives in the same box. For extras like extension rods, add them to your basket alongside it.

Hanging baskets and bird feeders, and it works well for a lantern too. Each bracket holds up to 5kg and sticks out about 260mm (10″) from the wall.

Screw the mounting plate to a wall, fence or post, then slot the bracket into the plate. Screws are included, and the bracket lifts straight out when you need it to.

Yes. Every hanging bracket design is also an Oakley weathervane, so you can buy the pair.

Not forever. Outdoors it softens to a warm brown and, over the years, to green verdigris. A clear lacquer slows this down but won’t stop it. If you want the aged look from day one, choose a verdigris finish.

Our Oakley and Traditional weathervanes, and the stems and brackets on our copper ranges, are finished in an exterior-grade powder coat that protects the steel for years. For extra protection, or to freshen it up later, give it a coat of Hammerite paint.

Fitted properly, yes. Copper weathervanes come with a locking ring that must be fitted, so the figure can turn but can’t lift off its stem. Use all the fixings supplied and fix into sound timber or masonry.

Yes, if you’re handy with a drill, especially on a post or a low wall. Fitting on a roof means working at height, so use a competent installer if you’re not comfortable on a ladder. Our installation instructions walk through each range.

Every Cottage and Farmhouse weathervane costs more than £50, so they all ship free to the UK mainland, excluding the Highlands and islands.

Delivery to the Scottish Highlands and islands, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Wight and the Isles of Scilly costs extra, shown at checkout.

The UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland. Delivery to the Scottish Highlands and islands, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Wight and the Isles of Scilly costs a little extra, and you’ll see the charge at checkout before you pay. Orders to the Channel Islands and the Republic of Ireland may have local import charges on arrival.

Cottage and Farmhouse weathervanes go out on Monday, Thursday and Friday. Oakley weathervanes, accessories, hanging brackets and garden products go out Monday to Friday. Most UK mainland orders arrive the working day after dispatch.

DPD Local or Royal Mail Tracked 24, and Parcelforce for some Highland and island addresses. You’ll get tracking details by email or text once it’s on its way.

If it hasn’t arrived within 5 working days of dispatch, call or email us and we’ll chase it. If a parcel is lost, we’ll send a replacement or give you a full refund.

Yes. You can return any item within 30 days of delivery, including sale items. Tell us first, then send it back to our Market Harborough unit within 14 days. If you’ve changed your mind, you pay the return postage. See our returns policy for the details.

Within 14 days of us receiving the item back, or of you showing proof you’ve sent it, whichever is sooner. It goes back to your original payment method.

Contact us as soon as you can, with a photo if possible. We’ll arrange collection or refund your postage, and offer a replacement, repair or refund.

Yes. Call us on 01536 268630, Monday to Friday, 9am to 2pm, or email enquiries@simplyweathervanes.co.uk. We’re happy to help with sizes, brackets and replacement parts.

Yes. Enter their name and address as the delivery address at checkout.