Powder Coating Vs. Bare Aluminum

As most wind chime aficionados will tell you, there is nothing more pleasing than hearing a precisely tuned chime hanging in their lanai, but will also agree the look of a windchime is important too. With so many options available, choosing between a classic aluminum chime and a powder-coated one can be a tough decision to make. Popularity of the classic aluminum windchime because of its ease of care and durability is a no-brainer, but there are many options available for finishing aluminum, which is why it is such a popular construction material. What exactly is powder coating and why would you want to consider a windchime that has it? Powder coating allows color to be applied to finished surfaces without the use of liquid solutions like paint. This "solvent-less paint” is simply pigment encapsulated in a powdered resin. The colors bond to a surface of the metal tubing through the application of heat, giving a smooth finish that some say is superior to other metal, as it is highly resistant to chipping and rusting. This surfacing on items such as cars relies on powder coating to get a harder finish, smooth texture, and complete color adhesion.

The color of the powder coating determines the color of the wind chime. Music of the Spheres has chosen a black powder coat that is sure to compliment any decor. The powder-coated aluminum-alloy tubing will never rust, so it lends itself to areas that see a lot of variance in weather - making these optimal for use in humid coastal climates (such as here in Florida!), and always looks great. Better yet, they are low maintenance and highly durable. In spite of heat, rain and other inclement weather, these windchimes will continue to look, and more importantly sound the same as when you bought them for many years to come!

Windchime Tunings

Of everything we have discussed here, the most important part of a windchime is, of course, its sound! There is no right answer when it comes to what windchime is best for an individual – it all depends on what sounds pleasing to that particular person. Luckily for wind chime lovers, there are varieties of different tunings out there to cater to every taste. Out of all the comments we receive here, our most frequently asked question is in regards to the sounds of the tunings. Because of this, we’ve provided you with audio files on our web site that let you hear each tuning from both our metal wind chime manufacturers, Grace Notes and Music of the Spheres. We feel this is the best way to help you select your unique windchime sound.

When a chime’s tubing vibrates, it creates a note. As the striker hits each tubing; the tube’s entire length vibrates in one long wave. Factors that determine the makeup of these notes include the length, diameter, and metal of the tubing, as well as even the material that makes up the striker! Tunings are combined notes that have the same musical scale and range, and can be familiar tones to exotic melodies. Familiar tunings are typically in major scales and have close similarities to other tunings, such as Pentatonic, Chinese, Westminster, and Mongolian. The more exotic scales include Hawaiian, Japanese, and Gypsy (Gypsy typically has seven tubes as opposed to five or six). You can place wind chime ensembles in the same area that create a harmonized “voice” in the same scale in a different range, or you can combine tunings that are mixed in range and scales that will sound particularly melodic, such as Pentatonic and Hawaiian or Japanese and Gypsy. Grace Note's wind chimes are available in 9 sizes and 7 different tunings and Music of the Spheres offers five sizes and ten different musical scales. You are limited only by your imagination.