Wind chimes can be bought online in Canada through specialty retailers such as Urban Nature Store, which ships across the country and carries options spanning several materials, sizes, and price points rather than a single generic style. Selection generally comes down to material, size, and the kind of tone or melody a particular chime is tuned to produce.
What Materials Are Wind Chimes Made From?
Wind chimes are generally made from either metal tubes, a solid metal bell, or natural materials like bamboo, each producing a different kind of tone. Six aluminum tubes hand-tuned to a C scale give the Corinthian Bells 44-Inch Windchime its metal-tube sound, a single antiqued copper steel bell takes the place of tubes entirely in the Heroic Wind Bell, Large Antique Copper, and a coconut husk body paired with six bamboo tubes gives the Gilbert Gooney Bamboo Chime a softer, more organic tone instead.
Does the Size of a Wind Chime Affect Its Sound?
A larger wind chime generally produces a deeper, more resonant tone than a smaller one, since longer tubes vibrate at a lower frequency. A 23-inch longest tube and six 1¼-inch tubes hand-tuned to the notes C, D, E, G, A, and C give the Corinthian Bells 44-Inch Windchime its particular pitch, and the same style comes in several other lengths built around that same tuning approach at different pitches.
Are Wind Chimes Tuned to Specific Musical Notes?
Many wind chimes are tuned to specific musical notes rather than left to ring at random. The same melody as London's Westminster Quarters is reproduced by the Chimes of Westminster, using an acoustic effect called the missing fundamental, where the ear perceives a note from overtones even though the exact fundamental frequency isn't physically present in the sound.
What's a More Affordable Option for a First Wind Chime?
An affordable entry point for a first wind chime is a smaller, naturally-made option rather than a large tuned metal set. Hand-carved and hand-toned by Balinese artisans from bamboo and coconut husk, the Gilbert Gooney Bamboo Chime includes a hand-painted bird that nods along as it plays; its natural materials mean some variation piece to piece, and the manufacturer notes the bamboo tubes can crack in certain weather conditions without affecting the sound.
Is a Wind Chime a Good Gift for a Home or Garden?
A wind chime works well as a gift for a home or garden, since most styles are built to hang at an entrance, patio, or garden feature rather than requiring any particular setup. Bronze-finished tubes paired with specially suspended aluminum give the Bells of Paradise Windchime a longer-resonating tone, while a design built specifically to work as a welcome bell makes the Heroic Wind Bell best suited to an entrance in a breezy spot.
Do Wind Chimes Come With Any Quality or Tuning Guarantee?
Some wind chimes come with a lifetime tuning guarantee rather than a limited warranty period. That guarantee is carried by both the Chimes of Westminster and the Bells of Paradise Windchime, meaning the tuning itself is covered for as long as the chime is owned rather than only for a set number of years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Do Wind Chimes Typically Cost in Canada?
Wind chimes typically range from around $60 for a small handmade bamboo chime to well over $300 for a large multi-tube tuned metal chime, with most mid-sized tuned options falling somewhere between $150 and $230.
Is Free Shipping Available When Ordering Wind Chimes Online?
Free shipping is available on most Canadian orders over $125 through retailers like Urban Nature Store, which covers most mid-sized and larger wind chimes on its own.
Can a Wind Chime Be Damaged by Weather Over Time?
A wind chime's durability against weather depends heavily on its material: metal tube and bell-style chimes are generally built to withstand outdoor conditions long-term, while natural materials like bamboo can crack under certain weather conditions over time without necessarily affecting how the chime sounds.
Are Wind Chimes Available for In-Store Pickup Instead of Shipping?
Wind chimes are available for in-store pickup instead of shipping through retailers with physical locations, such as Urban Nature Store's Toronto and Thornhill stores.
Can a Wind Chime Be Returned If the Sound Isn't What Was Expected?
A wind chime can generally be returned if it isn't what was expected, provided it's returned within the retailer's stated return window and in its original condition and packaging.
