Contemporary Garden Decoration: Fountains and their Roots

The central purpose of a fountain was originally strictly functional. Water fountains were linked to a spring or aqueduct to provide potable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Up until the 19th century, fountains had to be higher and closer to a water supply, such as aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to benefit from gravity which fed the fountains. Fountains were an excellent source of water, and also served to decorate living areas and celebrate the designer. The main materials used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes. To illustrate the gardens of paradise, Muslim and Moorish garden planners of the Middle Ages introduced fountains to their designs. Fountains enjoyed a considerable role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exercise his power over nature. To mark the entrance of the restored Roman aqueducts, the Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries commissioned the construction of baroque style fountains in the spot where the aqueducts arrived in the city of Rome

Indoor plumbing became the main source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby limiting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity allowed fountains to deliver recycled water into living spaces as well as create unique water effects.

Embellishing city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the uses of modern-day fountains.

Pick from all Sorts of Exterior Fountains

Sending a stream of water shooting into the air, spouting fountains leave a dazzling impression. It is doable to have one of these installed into an existent, large pond. You can find these in public recreational areas or old mansions.

One of the myriad examples of an outdoor water feature is a chic wall fountain. Such fountains make for a great addition to your yard even if it is small. Whereas spouting fountains produce an impressive effect, wall fountains are more understated water features. In this straightforward process, water is ejected from a little spout, runs down a beautifully textured wall, before being received at the bottom and returned to the top once again.

Dependent on the style you have chosen for the garden, you could think about a themed fountain. A cherub holding a spout is one of the possible kinds of classical-styled statues you can use if you want your fountain to compliment a rustically themed cottage or garden. Modern-day gardens, on the other hand, benefit from something more audacious. Just permit your imagination to run loose.

The main attribute of a multi-tiered fountain is that water flows from a variety of different levels. Cascading fountains is another expression used to identify this type of fountain because water flows down multiple levels.

A significant amount of space is needed for an outdoor fountain, so another alternative is to install a wall fountain or a pondless fountain. Since the reservoirs necessary for these kinds of fountains are hidden underground, you can make the most of the space at your disposal.

Japanese fountains are believed to lend a feeling of tranquility and well-being. Bamboo sticks serve as the piping from which water flows in these kinds of water features. The cycle of water falling into a rustic-styled recipient or a shaped stone repeats itself again and again.

Glass fountains make up another group of fountain. A more conventional look is provided by trellis-style fountains which feature shaped metalwork. Gardens with numerous sharp edges as well as modern forms and designs are better for these sorts of water features. The flowing water forms a striking effect as it moves down the glass sheets. LED lights are also utilized in some fountains to flash color across the water as it flows downward on the glass sheet. Often made of imitation rock, stone waterfall fountains have water gently trickling down its surface.

Bubbling rock fountains are big stones drilled with holes which are then filled with tubes in the center. The gurgles and bubbles at the top are the product of the low pressure used to propel the water upwards. Water then flows as a gentle trickle down the sides of the rock to its base. This is yet another possibility for gardens with restricted space. To guarantee that water is not sprayed around if it starts to get windy, this kind of fountain is the best choice since it only uses low pressure to move water.

Powered by sunlight, solar fountains are becoming increasingly trendy. There are numerous reasons for this newly found interest such as the absence of cables, less difficulty in running them, a decrease in electricity bills, and the advantages to the environment. You will not have to concede on style since there is a wide range of designs to pick from in outdoor solar-powered fountains.