Types of Rain Barrels: Comparing Materials, Sizes, and Styles

Rain barrels come in plastic, wood, ceramic, stone, and metal styles, most holding 40–80 gallons for typical home gardens.

For the full breakdown, see our best Barrels for Rainwater Collection guide.

A rain barrel collects roof runoff so it can water a lawn, garden, or houseplant later instead of running into a storm drain. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency describes the setup simply: water captured off a roof that would otherwise wash away. What you buy depends on three things — what the barrel is made of, how much it holds, and whether it looks right against the side of your house.

What Are Rain Barrels Made Of?

Most barrels sold today are plastic, but decorative materials like wood, ceramic, stone, and metal are also common, and each trades durability against looks. Plastic — usually polyethylene or UV-resistant resin — wins on price and lifespan. Wood, ceramic, and stone win on appearance. One practical note from the City of Bellingham’s rain barrel guide: the safest plastics are #1 (PETE), #2 (HDPE), #4 (LDPE), and #5 (PP), so check the recycle stamp before buying a repurposed drum.

Decorative plastics are worth knowing about. Both give you the style of a heavy material without the weight.

How Big Should A Rain Barrel Be?

Residential rain barrels typically run from 15 gallons up to about 80 gallons, and 40–80 gallons suits most households. The City of Bellingham guide puts typical barrels at 55–95 gallons and notes they work alone or linked together in sets. Commercial and industrial barrels reach 5,000 gallons, far beyond what a home garden needs.

Size also decides footprint. A flat-back 50-gallon polyethylene barrel, for example, measures 32 inches high by 24 inches long by 24 inches wide and is shaped to sit close against a wall or downspout.

Which Design And Features Should You Check?

Beyond looks, the working parts decide how usable a barrel is: a spigot for filling a can, a lid and screen to keep out debris and insects, and sometimes a linking port to connect barrels. The EPA’s fact sheet on rain barrels describes a basic setup as a 55-gallon drum fitted with a screen, a hose, and PVC couplings.

Compatibility matters more than most buyers expect. Rain barrels are usually built to sit under a residential gutter downspout, and many need a screen grate to block leaves and bugs. Linking features let you chain barrels together for extra storage — the American Oak model, a 50-gallon UV-resistant resin barrel that is BPA-free, supports connecting multiple units. If you want tested options rather than a single barrel, seeing how these models compare side by side helps. A roundup of the best barrels for rainwater collection walks through specific picks so you can match capacity and features to your yard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are metal or ceramic rain barrels worth it?
They look better against brick and stone, but they cost more and can be heavier to reposition. A ceramic-look plastic barrel gives a similar appearance with the lighter weight and durability of roto-molded plastic, usually at a lower price.

What keeps mosquitoes out of a rain barrel?
A screen or lid over the inlet — the same grate that blocks leaves and debris. Bellingham’s guide notes many barrels ship with a screen for exactly this reason, so confirm yours includes one before setting it under the downspout.

Can you connect two rain barrels together?
Yes, if the barrels include a linking port. Connecting them raises total storage without adding another downspout. A single 50-gallon barrel usually covers a small garden; linking suits larger yards or dry spells.