Grandfather Clocks
These clocks are usually six to eight feet talk and are sometimes referred to as a tall-case clock, floor clocks, or longcase clock. They are considered striking clocks—which means they chime on the hour every hour and some of them chime on the quarter hour.
The way they basically work is that they are operated by the movement of a pendulum caused by suspended weights that are enclosed in a tall wooden box. Gravity causes the pendulum to swing back and forth allowing the weights to drop at a coordinated pace. The weights are suspended on cables or chains and need to periodically be adjusted. They are very accurate once everything is synchronized.
There is also a Grandmother's clock which is between five and six feet tall. And the granddaughter clock which is under five feet. There are three types of movements to choose from when selecting a grandfather clock.
Chain Movement - the weights are suspended by chains that wrap around the clocks mechanism with the other end of the chain hanging down by the weight. To wind this type one pulls on the end of each chain, lifting the weights until they are just under the clock face.
Quartz Movement - this uses an electronic oscillator that is controlled by a quartz crystal in keeping time. It creates a signal that has a very precise frequency.
There are a variety of chimes that come on grandfather clocks. The most popular chime is the Westminster. But others include Ave Maria, St. Michael, Whittington, Bim Bam, and Triple chime. As a result of adding chimes, most of the modern grandfather clocks have three weights instead of two.
There are several styles of grandfather clocks. If you are purchasing a new one you might want to consider coordinating it with your existing furniture style. Otherwise they are a treasure and would be a welcome addition in any home no matter what the décor is.
The most popular is the Traditional style. This style will fit into any décor and be a beautiful addition. When deciding where to put the clock remember that unless you disable the chimes there will be some type of noise every hour. Some clocks will have a night turn-off button. Most people get use to the chime and it doesn't seem to bother them after awhile. In fact they like hearing in during the night and often sleep through the chiming. With this to consider, probably the best place for a grandfather clock is not in a bedroom. They are usually placed in a living room, a dining room, a family room, the entry to a home or even on a large stair landing. Since they are a fine piece of furniture it is best they are placed in a protected area of the house.
Another type is the contemporary style. This is for a home that has more of a modern edge to it. They have more of a sleek top—but by no means are they understated. They are sophisticated and will fit into any type of household.
Another type is the Curio Grandfather Clock. This is a much larger clock and has built in curio shelves on both sides of the clock. A large space is needed for this clock. But if you have the room—it makes a grand statement.
The last type is a floor clock. This is open for interpretation, but they usually are not made of wood and don't always have a pendulum. If they do have a pendulum—it is not always enclosed. They are usually small in size and fit well within the confines of a small apartment or condo, but are still a delight to own.