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Time is an intangible element that constantly shapes our lives. Throughout history, time has been a deep and often mysterious concept—something we can’t trade, stop, fast-forward, or rewind. How do we manage something so fleeting yet essential? Since ancient times, people have relied on celestial bodies to measure time.
The sun, with its rising and setting, has long been used for time-telling, most notably through the invention of sundials. These devices date back to 1500 BC in ancient Egypt. Although we’ve since developed mechanical and digital clocks and now have technology that provides us with the exact time at a glance, traditional sundials retain their charm and value.
Over the years, sundials have evolved in design. From polar and equatorial to analemmatic, armillary, horizontal, and vertical types, horizontal garden sundials have become the most popular. If you’re looking to add a timeless feature to your garden, a horizontal sundial is a classic choice.
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How Do I Choose a Sundial?
Even if you’ve set your eye on the horizontal despite it not being as ornate as the armillary, remember there are positives like the fact it works great the further you are from the equator, and the various models it comes in. Which is why it’s crucial to know what you’re in for.
Give Latitude a Thought
Latitude plays a key role in choosing the right sundial. The angle of the sun in the sky depends on your location, and being aware of your latitude is crucial for picking the right model. This is particularly true for horizontal garden sundials because the angle between the gnomon (the part that casts the shadow) and the dial plate must be set according to your latitude.
For example, if you buy a sundial made in the UK, the gnomon is typically set at 52.5°, the latitude of central UK, which works well for the entire UK and northern Europe. If you’re in a location with a slightly different latitude, precision setup is essential. However, if your location differs by only 1° or 2°, you can still expect accurate time measurement. The gnomon should be aligned parallel to the Earth’s axis, and setting your sundial on a level surface (within a 1/2° of adjustment) will help ensure accuracy.
Look Into the Type
Perhaps you find the horizontal sundials type to be too much trouble because you don’t have a surface that’s level, or you fear buying a model that wasn’t created for your location and you have all the work with setting it. Truth be told, they are very easy to position, especially if you buy the adequate ones for your place, and are very easy to move thanks to being flexible about what you can place them on – could even be a table.
But the high-end durable pieces come with a pedestal that’s part of the décor. The polar and equatorial can be found with this element too. The vertical is a nice alternative as you need a vertical space to use it on, without taking up any floor space. You can choose a wall of your home that could do with some classy décor.
A north facing wall (easily determined with the use of a compass) is perfect for a north dial, and you don’t have to worry about the adjustment part. That is as long as the wall isn’t slightly declining, and if it is you’d have to rely on some shimps to cover for this. The armillary is the type most known for the reliability and ornate beauty, though this comes with more work to get the proper placement and accurate time right.
Consider the Material
This is an aspect that isn’t only related to the quality, durability and resilience of the sun dials, but also of their aesthetic considering these timepieces have their role in the looks of your home too. As such, it’s necessary to think of the result you want to create and the style you wish to evoke, as not all sundials are created equal.
For a home with a classic aesthetic, you could choose a classy stone sundial design that can perfectly blend in the environment. Consider matching it with the stone hue of your other garden ornaments (if any), as coordinated with the delicate fountain or sculptures it can give off a more harmonious vibe. Large reconstituted stone designs are perfect since they can be found in big sizes without this detail adding to their weight.
In case you’re after something more modern and minimalist without the classical detail work, there are simpler stone pedestals, as much as there are other materials to choose from. These include brass sundials with stone or metal pedestals, like stainless steel, and cast iron known for the strength, resistance to the elements and corrosion.
Evaluate the Design Specs
As we’ve covered the styles with the materials, from classic to modern fit for contemporary homes and gardens, it’s time to pay attention to the specs of a timepiece, such as the size and shape. To find the ideal choice for your space, it’s crucial to consider the available area, do some measuring up and find the perfect spot that isn’t in a traffic area to avoid posing a safety risk.
Size plays a role here too, so don’t overlook it. If your garden is ample, then you don’t have to worry about the height as even a pedestal up to 1.2 metres to get a good shadow visibility. If you go higher than this, then it would be best to get a bigger sundial so it would be visible from your home’s upper floor windows. Shape-wise, besides the square, you can choose round, Victorian, Roman, or floral, also minding where and how you use them for the best end look.
While we’re at visibility, this is where you ought to consider the plants you have in the garden, as lush vegetation may get in the way of your timepiece. In which case, it would be best to locate it away from your big shrubs and trees for the best outcome. This would help you prevent their mighty shadows from blocking the sun.