Can Koshi Chimes be used outside?
Mar 05, 2021
Yes, you can hang your Koshi chime outside and it sounds wonderful in a garden or on a balcony. There are just a few things worth knowing to keep it looking and sounding its best over time.
A Natural Material That Needs a Little Care
The bamboo tube and the wooden plate of your Koshi are natural materials. They are not pressure treated, which means they do not have a built-in chemical barrier against moisture the way industrial wood products do. Each Koshi leaves us with a light protective oil already applied, but this is not a permanent coating. It will gradually wear away with exposure to sun, wind, and rain.
The good news is that maintaining your Koshi is simple and takes just a few minutes. Treat the bamboo tube and wooden plate regularly with a protective oil. Linseed oil works very well and is easy to find. Rub a small amount in with a cloth, let it absorb, and your Koshi will stay protected and keep its warm natural tone.
How Often Does It Need Oiling?
That depends a lot on where you live. In a dry climate with plenty of sun and low humidity, once or twice a year is usually enough. If you live somewhere wetter, near the coast, in a river valley, or anywhere that stays humid for long stretches, the wood absorbs moisture more readily and benefits from more frequent treatment. A good rule of thumb: if the bamboo starts to look dry or slightly faded, it is time to oil it again.
Where to Hang It Outside
We recommend hanging your Koshi somewhere it is sheltered from direct rain. Underneath an overhang, a pergola, or a covered porch is ideal. This does not mean it cannot get wet at all, but avoiding prolonged soaking will extend the life of the wood significantly and reduce how often you need to re-oil it. During harsh weather such as heavy storms, frost, or very strong winds, it is always a good idea to bring it inside for a while.
Get Creative
If you would like to give your Koshi a more personal look, you can. A coat of outdoor lacquer will add extra protection alongside a splash of colour, or you can paint it to match your garden or terrace. Just make sure whatever you use is suitable for wood and ideally weather-resistant.
A Few More Things Worth Knowing
If you notice the cord on your chime is not sitting quite straight after hanging it outside, it is a simple adjustment. Take a look at the guide on what to do when the Koshi string is not hanging straight. If the cord has become tangled or the pearl is stuck, the article on a twisted or tangled Koshi string walks you through a quick fix. If your chime has gone quiet and you are not sure why, the guide on why a wind chime stops chiming covers placement and air movement. And if you are thinking of adding a second chime to your space, the comparison of which Koshi chimes go well together is a good place to start.
The Four Koshi Chimes for Outdoor Use
All four Koshi tunings work equally well outdoors. Koshi Terra is often a natural fit for garden use: its deep tuning resonates well in open space, and its earthy character suits an outdoor environment. Koshi Aria, being the lightest and most responsive, rings well in the gentle breezes common on a covered porch. The choice is ultimately about which tuning character you want to hear in that space.
Browse the full Koshi wind chimes collection to compare all four tunings, or see the wind chime troubleshooting guide if your chime has stopped ringing after outdoor use.
