When I started doing my research on rain chains, I quickly realized I needed one that does well in heavy rain or torential downpours. After all, I live in Florida and we get rain every single afternoon during the summer months.
For the purpose of this post I really wanted you to get a sense of the many rain chains that are available for you that will work great in heavy rain.
I’m also including a buying guide to help you choose the perfect rain chain for your needs and style.
From Star ratings, best reviews, different styles and number of cups, you are sure to find the perfect fit for your home.
To make it easier, simply click on the links below to jump right to that section.
How do they Work?
Are Rain Chains Effective in Heavy Rain?
Using Downspouts With Your Rain Chains
Highest Rated Rain Chains
Buying Guide
How do Rain Chains Work?
A rain chain does exactly what a regular downspout does. It controls the flow of rainwater and directs it from the roof to the ground.
You can use it to channel the water away and protect the foundations of your house.
You can also use it to gather the water in a rain barrel. Some rain chains have a catch basin at the end to collect water. You can also use a regular container with them.
Are Rain Chains Effective in Heavy Rain & Winds?
If you are wondering whether rain chains can work in heavy rain and wind, here is what you need to know:
Heavy Winds: Rain chains are not as effective in heavy winds. Unlike downspouts, they don’t have the support of walls. Therefore, they can be flimsy in heavy winds.
Heavy Rains: If your area gets thunderstorms or heavy rains very frequently, rain chains may not be as effective as downspouts.
Using Downspouts With Your Rain Chains in Heavy Rain
A good quality rain chain can handle heavy rains once in a while. But if it rains heavy very frequently or your area is always getting thunderstorms, it is a good idea to use both rain chains and downspouts.
You can install rain chains in the areas where you want to use the aesthetic benefit. And, then use downspouts on all the other sides.
This way the bulk of the rainwater will go down the downspouts.
Therefore, I would recommend this as the best solution.
Use a combination of gutter downspouts and best performing rain chains for heavy rain. In this way, you can have a great gutter system and enjoy the benefits of both chains and downspouts.
Top 5 Highest Rated Rain Chains
Let us now take a look at some of the highest rated chains in the market. These include some of my tried and tested ones as well as some with great reviews.
Material: Pure Copper
Length: 8 1/2 Feet
Number of Cups: 14
Style: Rain Chain Cup
What you will like about this:
- Pure copper
- Available in Aluminium as well
- Large-size cups
- Great for areas with heavy rain
- Easy to install and adjust
Monarch is a popular brand known for providing premium quality rain chains. This particular rain chain is a beautiful assembly of 14 large-sized cups. Each cup is 3. 5″ in height and has a width of 4″.
The bottom of the cup has an opening of 2″ diameter which transports a larger quantity of rain water from cup to cup.
The cups are sturdy and due to their large size cause very little splashing. Monarch makes exquisitely-designed, handcrafted rain chains.
Moreover, the rain chain has a standard length of 8.5 feet. This includes the
2. Marrgon Copper Rain Chain
Material: Pure Copper
Length: 8 1/2 Feet
Number of Cups: 12
Style: Rain Chain Cups & Rain Chain Links
What you will like about this:
- Pure copper
- Comes with a unique design
- Links and cups for better function
- Works in heavy rain
- Easy to install and adjust
Marrgon rain chains are another great option for replacing traditional rain gutters.
This unique design uses both links and cups and offers a very effective way of channeling rainwater. The rain chains are available in the standard 8.5 feet length.
The rain chain has 12 cups that are 7” inches apart. The optimum design makes it a great choice for using in heavy rain.
You can easily adjust their length as required. You can also use extra links to secure the chain to the ground.
The high-quality copper is very durable and ages well while turning green. The cups are available in three designs: bells, tulips, and pots.
They are easy to install and come with a hook that is ready to use.
3. Ancient Graffiti Lily Multicolor Rain Chain Cups
Material: Steel
Length: 8 1/2 Feet
Number of Cups: 20
Style: Rain Chain Cups
What you will like about this:
- Durable chain
- Available in copper
- Available in many colors
- Works great in heavy rain
- Easy to install and adjust
If you are looking for a colorful option, this rain chain is a perfect choice. Ancient Graffiti rain chain is made of multi-colored lilies. The length is easily adjustable.
According to the reviews, the rain chain performs very well in heavy rain. It is durable and sturdy. This rain chain blends so well in a garden. You can use it to enhance the decoration and enjoy the beautiful cascade of rainwater.
Material: Pure Copper
Length: 8 1/2 Feet
Number of Cups: 13
Style: Rain Chain Cups
What you will like about this:
- Pure copper
- Modern design and sleek look
- Cups hold a lot of water
- Great to use in heavy rain
- Easy to install and adjust
I haven’t added any link rain chains in the list as they cause more splashing and that can’t be fun in heavy rain. But don’t worry as you won’t miss the modern design even without link rain chains.
This copper hammered cup by Monarch is perfect for a house with a modern exterior. The cups have a very sleek and modern design. Each chain has 13 cups and measures 8.5 feet. The cups are large and are great for holding and transferring lots of rainwater.
It is easy to install, and you can adjust the length easily.
5. Monarch Eastern Hammered Cup Rain Chains
Material: Pure Copper
Length: 8 1/2 Feet
Number of Cups: 13
Style: Rain Chain Cups
What you will like about this:
- Pure copper
- Durable chain with great design
- Large-size cups
- Great for areas with heavy rain
- Easy to install and adjust
Another great design by Monarch, the Eastern Hammered rain chain will be an architectural accent for your home.
The chain is made of 13 wide-mouthed cups. Due to their size and shape, the cups can work well in heavy rain. The chain is made of 100% copper and has a standard length of 8.5 feet. You can add a 3 feet extension to the chain. It is also easy to reduce the length of the chain by using pliers.
It is very easy to install and doesn’t take long. It is best to use the rain chain with a 3-inch high basin like this one by Monarch.
Buying Guide:
Now that you know everything about rain chains, let’s talk about how to choose the best rain chains for heavy rain.
What Features to Look for When Buying the Best Rain Chains?
Material:
Rain chains are available in all sorts of materials. You can some made of brass, steel, aluminum, stainless steel, and copper.
Copper and stainless steel are the most popular ones.
I would recommend choosing copper rain chains. They are durable, they look great with most the exterior of most houses.
Copper rain chains give a rustic feel to your house. They don’t rust or fade. In fact, as copper ages, it becomes green (patina). This looks great and enhances the look of rain chains.
Length:
Rain chains are available in different lengths. They are sold by feet. You can measure the distance between the hole of the downspouts to where you will want to attach the bottom end.
The standard length for rain chains is between 8 to 8.5 ft.
The length you require also depends on the style of the rain chain and how you want to use it.
If you are using a large rain barrel, you will need a shorter length.
If your rain chains will go all the way down to channel water away, you will need a longer length.
Number of Cups:
Another important factor to consider when looking for the rain chains best for heavy rain is the number of cups. Rain chains with more cups are better for heavy rains. More cups will control more water without more splashes.
Star-Rating:
When buying a product from Amazon, scroll down to read the reviews. Look for products with a greater number of reviews as well as more 4+ reviews.
Style:
The most common styles of rain chains are:
Cup Rain Chains:
Cup rain chains are the most popularly used type of rain chains. They can add a great decorative element to your house.
- They are available in many designs. You will find cups shaped like lotuses, lilies, baskets, and birds. There are some with carvings on them that make them look even prettier.
- They are great for using in heavy rains. Their funnel design makes them more effective in channeling water.
- Cups rain chains cause much lesser splashing.
- They are ideal for hanging near windows and doors.
- If you want to increase their length you can just join more cups to the chain.
Link Rain Chains:
Link rain chains have a simple chain-like design. They are available as rings or loops linked together.
- The design is simple and modern. They will look great in a house with a modern exterior.
- However, they are not so great for heavy rains. And, they cause more splashing.
- Ideally, you can use them in areas where the splashes will fall directly on plants or ground. You can also use splash guards when using link rain chains.
- If you want to make them longer, you may need soldering.
I have written about the styles of rain chains in detail, you can read about them here.
It is a pleasure to watch rainwater cascading down the rain chains and to hear it chime. By adding a rain chain, you can add more aesthetic value to your house and protect its foundations from excessive water and splashes.
This guide will help to answer any questions that you may have. Although, rain chains are very effective, but not all perform very well in heavy rain. I hope this article will help you in purchasing the best rain chains for heavy rain.
