Contemporary Garden Decoration: Fountains and their Beginnings

Pure functionality was the original purpose of fountains. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, from aqueducts or springs in the vicinity. Until the late 19th, century most water fountains operated using gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a supply of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Acting as an element of decoration and celebration, fountains also generated clean, fresh drinking water. The main materials used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes. To depict the gardens of paradise, Muslim and Moorish garden planners of the Middle Ages added fountains to their designs. To demonstrate his prominence over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to exalt their positions by including beautiful baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.

Since indoor plumbing became the norm 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. Gravity was substituted by mechanical pumps in order to enable fountains to bring in clean water and allow for amazing water displays.

Contemporary fountains are used to embellish community spaces, honor individuals or events, and enhance recreational and entertainment events.

The Advantages of Solar Energy Powered Fountains

Indoor wall fountains are a superb way to cool your home as well as to provide an eye-catching addition to your living area. They cool your residence by utilizing the same principles used in air conditioners and swamp coolers. You can also save on your utility costs because they use less energy.

A fan can be used to blow fresh, dry air over them so as to produce a cooling effect. Either your ceiling fan or air from a corner of the room can be used to improve circulation. The most critical consideration is to make sure that the air is continuously flowing over the surface of the water. It is the nature of fountains and waterfalls to generate cool, fresh air. Merely being in the vicinity of a sizeable public fountain or waterfall will send a sudden chill through whoever is nearby. Be certain to situate your fountain cooling system where it will not be exposed to extra heat. If you are looking for an efficient cooling system, it should be far from direct sunlight.

Select from Any Number of Exterior Wall Fountain Designs

Depending on your needs, you can choose from mounted or freestanding models. You can hang a mounted wall fountain because they are small and self-contained. One of the most important aspects of wall fountains is that they be lightweight, so they are normally made of fiberglass or resin to replicate the look of stone. Free-standing fountains, often referred to as floor fountains, are sizable, have a basin positioned on the ground and a smooth side which leans against a wall. Water features such as these are typically manufactured of cast stone and have no weight restrictions.

Landscape professionals often propose a individualized fountain for a brand new or existing wall. Placing the basin against the wall and installing all the plumbing work requires a professional mason to do it properly. A fountain mask or a spout also needs to be incorporated into the wall. The cohesive look produced by customized wall fountains make them appear to be part of the landscape instead of an afterthought.