The Countless Styles of Exterior Fountains

The flood of water sent shooting into the air by a spouting fountain is an spectacular sight to see. If your pond is sufficiently big, it can be incorporated without trouble. You can find these in public recreational areas or old mansions.

Outdoor water features come in different forms, one of which is a fancy wall fountain. Even with a small yard, it is possible to add one of these water features. Spouting fountains usually make quite an impact whereas wall features are more of a subtle kind of water feature. In this simple process. the water which is forced out of a small opening, flows down a beautifully textured wall and is then collected at the base before being pushed back to the top.

Installing a fountain with a motif depends totally on the layout of your garden. A cherub grasping a spout is one of the possible kinds of classical-styled statues you can use if you want your fountain to fit a rustically themed cottage or garden. Something special and bold could be an option for more modern gardens. Choosing what to do is entirely in your hands.

The central trait of tiered fountains is the multiple levels spewing out water. Cascading fountains is another expression used to identify this type of fountain because water flows down multiple levels.

The space necessary for an outdoor fountain can be considerable, therefore, a better alternative is to install a wall fountain or a pondless fountain. Fit in one of these fountains if your space is limited since their reservoirs are hidden from sight below ground.

If you seek a feeling of serenity and calmness, put in a Japanese fountain as these are considered to bring about such sensations. The water flows through bamboo sticks in this kind of water feature. The cycle of water flowing into a rustic-styled bucket or a shaped stone repeats itself again and again.

Fountains made of glass are another type on the market. Trellis-style fountains of this sort, highlight shaped metalwork which provides a more conventional look. Gardens with many sharp edges as well as modern forms and designs are better for these types of water features. As the water moves over the top of the glass it produces a dazzling impact. In some cases, the water is colored by LED lights as it flows over the glass panels. Often made of imitation rock, stone waterfall fountains have water gently trickling down its surface.

A large rock drilled with holes which then has pipes inserted into it is what distinguishes a bubbling rock fountain. Low pressure is used to push up the water which then bubbles and gurgles at the top. Water then flows as a slow trickle down the sides of the rock to its base. This type of fountain is perfectly suitable for little gardens. Water is moved at low pressure in this kind of fountain, so you can rest assured that it will not spray all over should the wind pick up.

Solar fountains have recently gained in popularity because they are powered by the sun. The advantages of using this type of solar powered fountain is the lack of cables, lowered difficulty in installing them, the decrease in electricity bills, and the positive effects they have on our environment. Outdoor solar-powered fountains are available in a multitude of different styles, therefore, you will not have to settle on which one to purchase.

Where did Landscape Fountains Come From?

The main purpose of a fountain was originally strictly functional. Inhabitants of urban areas, townships and small towns used them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash up, which meant that fountains needed to be linked to nearby aqueduct or spring. Until the late nineteenth, century most water fountains operated using the force of gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a source of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Fountains were not only utilized as a water source for drinking water, but also to decorate homes and celebrate the artist who created it. The main components used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes. Muslims and Moorish garden designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller models of the gardens of paradise. To show his dominance over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. The Romans of the 17th and 18th centuries created baroque decorative fountains to glorify the Popes who commissioned them as well as to mark the location where the restored Roman aqueducts entered the city.

Since indoor plumbing became the standard of the day for fresh, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely decorative. Impressive water effects and recycled water were made possible by switching the force of gravity with mechanical pumps.

These days, fountains adorn public areas and are used to pay tribute to individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.