What Is a Rain Chain?
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Learn how rain chains work, the different types available, and how they compare to downspouts.
As homeowners replace traditional gutter systems, rain chains have become an increasingly popular option for managing rainwater. These decorative chains replace traditional downspouts, transforming a functional element of your gutter system into a soothing water feature.
To help you decide if rain chains are right for your home, we rounded up everything you need to know about this gutter downspout alternative.
How Do Rain Chains Work?
Rain chains, or kusari-doi as they’re known in Japan, have been used for centuries to channel rainwater. They can be connected to your eaves or gutters instead of downspouts. As water collects in your gutters, it drains toward the rain chains and, thanks to surface tension, slides down the chain to the ground. Rain chains, like downspouts, can help direct the water to a safe drainage area, such as a water feature or a landscaped garden bed.
Unlike traditional gutter downspouts, rain chains help slow the flow of water. This can reduce soil erosion. Depending on the layout of your property, you may need to add other drainage elements to best protect your home’s foundation. Options include:
- Decorative basins: You can place a decorative basin or urn beneath the rain chain. The overflowing water creates a nice visual effect and can be redirected further into a drainage system or landscaped area.
- Drip paths: Drip paths are carefully planned areas lined with rocks or gravel. They guide the water from the rain chain to a designated area of your yard to promote better drainage.
- French drains: A French drain is an underground trench filled with gravel and a perforated pipe. These simple drains efficiently collect and redirect water away from your house. You can install a French drain directly beneath your rain chains to prevent excess water from pooling near your foundation.
- Rain barrels: Rain barrels collect runoff from the roof for reuse.
- Rain gardens: Create a sunken garden filled with native plants to absorb and filter water runoff. Rain chains paired with rain gardens are an eco-friendly way to manage rainwater.
When paired with rain chains, these yard drainage solutions keep rainwater from spattering back against your siding or oversaturating the ground near your home’s foundation.
Types of Rain Chains
Homeowners can choose from two main types of rain chains: links or cups. Both options come in several styles and materials.
Link-Style Rain Chains
Some rain chains simply provide a path for water to follow. The links can be as plain or ornate as you’d like, from basic oval links, twist loops, and rectangular links to fleur-de-lis designs.
The most common colors include silver, gold, copper, oil-rubbed bronze, black, white, and copper patina. Most are made from lightweight aluminum or stainless steel with a powder-coated or copper-plated finish.
Link chains are perfect for areas with moderate rainfall and offer a more subtle appearance compared to cup chains.
Cup-Style Rain Chains
Cup rain chains include small containers and links to collect and funnel water. Made from durable materials like copper or stainless steel, they combine style and efficiency. Cups come in designs like scalloped, square, or even nature-inspired shapes such as honeysuckle or koi fish.
They can handle heavier rainfall, making them a better option for regions with frequent downpours.
Rain Chains vs. Downspouts
Rain chains offer several advantages over traditional downspouts, making them a smart addition to your home. Here are a few things to consider as you weigh the two options.
Curb Appeal
Unlike downspouts, which are designed to blend into a home’s exterior, rain chains are meant to stand out. They come in a variety of styles, materials, and finishes, so you can choose an option that complements your home’s architecture and personal taste.
Rain chains also double as a water feature. Rather than water pouring through a downspout, you’ll hear the soothing sound of water gently dripping down the chains or into the cups. Some rain chains even chime as they guide rainwater to the ground.
Maintenance
Rain chains don’t clog, so they’re generally easier to maintain than gutter downspouts—especially if you invest in copper rain chains. You may still need to clean your gutters occasionally, but the rain chains themselves should require very little maintenance. While debris that makes its way into your rain gutters might eventually clog a downspout, rain chains should be unaffected.
Quick Tip
- Rain chains can also be damaged or rendered ineffective by high winds. If you live in a windy area, install an anchoring dish to prevent your rain chains from blowing around. You can also connect rain chains to a stake, heavy pot, or rain barrel.
Performance
As long as they remain unclogged, downspouts will almost always perform better than rain chains. They have a higher capacity and channel water away from your home versus guiding it toward the ground. As a result, they’re better at preventing soil erosion and foundation problems.
Rain chains can be an effective alternative, though. As long as your area doesn’t experience heavy rainfall, you can use rain chains to preserve your landscaping. The water runoff from a gutter downspout could easily flood a garden bed, but rain chains slow the water flow considerably. If your area is prone to high precipitation, you can still use rain chains but may need to pair them with French drains or a rain barrel.
Cost
Rain chains can cost about as much as gutter downspouts but are cheaper in some situations. It all depends on the material, length, and design of the specific rain chains and downspouts you’re considering.
You can expect to pay $50–$100* for a rain chain. Vinyl or aluminum downspouts cost $5–$8 per linear foot installed, or $60–$96 for a 12-foot length. Downspouts typically require additional pieces such as an elbow, offset, extension, and splash block. Rain chains, meanwhile, often need some type of anchor and collection or drainage system.
High-end materials like copper will increase the price of both rain chains and downspouts. Copper rain chains might cost more than a basic aluminum downspout, but they’ll likely be less expensive than the $17–$20 per linear foot you’d pay for copper downspouts.
When comparing costs, consider installation as well. Rain chains are often easier to install than downspouts, so you can save on labor costs by handling the installation yourself.
*Cost data sourced from Angi.
How To Install a Rain Chain
To install a rain chain, start by reading the manufacturer’s instructions. The attachment method and tools required may vary depending on your chosen product.
Next, consider where the water will go. This step is especially important if you’re replacing your downspouts with rain chains. Remember, rain chains won’t direct water away from your home’s foundation the way downspouts do. You may need to set up an additional water collection or drainage system.
If you plan to use an anchoring dish, dig a hole where the dish will be. The hole should be a few inches wider than the dish and about 6 inches deep. Fill the hole with 3/4-inch drainage rock and place a few river stones on top for aesthetics. Attach the top of the rain chain to your gutter and the bottom to the anchoring dish. Alternatively, you can place a rain barrel beneath the rain chain to collect water.
Finally, test the rain chain by spraying water onto your roof with a hose to simulate rain.
DIY vs. Professional Installation
Rain chain installation is a relatively simple project. Most rain chains come with a gutter adapter or installation kit that makes it easy to connect them to your existing gutter system.
If you also need new gutters, it may be best to determine the cost of professional gutter installation and rain chain placement. This option will cost more, but you’ll likely benefit from their expertise. You can also look into having top-performing gutter guards installed at the same time.
Should you decide on the DIY route, take time to research and observe the best place to install rain chains. This could be as simple as putting them wherever you currently have downspouts. You might also want to check the ground around your home for signs of gutter overflow, such as soil erosion, pooling water, or mulch displacement. Carefully placed rain chains could help to alleviate these issues.
Our Conclusion
Rain chains can be an attractive alternative to traditional downspouts. However, to prevent soil erosion and foundation damage, you may need to pair them with a rain barrel or French drains.
This is where an expert opinion can be helpful. Although you can easily replace your downspouts with rain chains, that might not be enough to ensure proper drainage. A professional gutter company can help with placement, installation, and any other steps needed to protect your home.
FAQ About Rain Chains
What is the point of a rain chain?
Rain chains help direct water safely from your roof to a drainage area or a water collection system on the ground. Rain chains are an aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional gutter downspouts.
Do rain chains work for heavy rain?
Rain chains can work for heavy rain if they’re paired with gutters and a water collection or drainage system. Cup-style rain chains will work better for heavy rain than link-style rain chains.
Are rain chains better than downspouts?
Rain chains often look and sound better than downspouts, and they generally require less maintenance. But downspouts can handle heavy rain better and are better at preventing soil erosion and foundation damage.
What do you put at the bottom of a rain chain?
You can put an anchoring dish, rain barrel, French drain, decorative basin, or drainage rocks at the bottom of a rain chain. You can also direct the water into a landscaped bed, rain garden, drip path, or water feature.
Does a rain chain have to attach to a gutter?
Most rain chains are designed to work with gutters, but a rain chain doesn’t have to attach to a gutter. There are creative workarounds to use rain chains without gutters, but these are less common and might not be as effective in heavy rainfall.
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