Outdoor Wall Fountains: The Numerous Designs on the Market

The two kinds of water features available to you are mounted and freestanding models. Mounted wall fountains are little and self-contained variations which can be hung on a wall. Fountains of this kind need to be light, therefore, they are typically made of resin (resembling stone) or fiberglass. Large-sized free-standing wall fountains, often referred to as floor fountains, have their basins positioned on the floor and a flat side leaning on a wall. Typically made of cast stone, this kind of water feature is not restricted in weight.

Customized fountains which can be integrated into a new or existing wall are often recommended by landscaping designers. The basin and all the required plumbing are best installed by a qualified mason. It is also necessary to add a spout or fountain mask to build it into the wall. A custom-made wall fountain blends into the landscape instead of standing out because it was a later addition, which adds to a cohesive appearance.

Contemporary Garden Decoration: Garden Fountains and their Roots

From the beginning, outdoor fountains were simply there to serve as functional elements. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, via aqueducts or springs nearby. 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 supply of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Fountains were not only used as a water source for drinking water, but also to decorate homes and celebrate the designer who created it. The main components used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly depicting animals or heroes. Muslims and Moorish landscaping designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller versions of the gardens of paradise. The fountains found in the Gardens of Versailles were meant to show the power over nature held by King Louis XIV of France. To mark the entryway 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 entered the city of Rome

The end of the nineteenth century saw the increase in usage of indoor plumbing to provide drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to purely decorative elements. The introduction of unique water effects and the recycling of water were two things made possible by replacing gravity with mechanical pumps.

Nowadays, fountains decorate public areas and are used to pay tribute to individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.

Your Garden: A Great Spot for a Garden Fountain

Spouting or cascading fountains are not the best option for a small yard since they require a great deal of space. There are two types of fountains to pick from including the freestanding model with a flat back and an attached basin set up against a fence or a wall in your yard, or the wall-mounted, self-contained variety which is suspended directly on a wall. Adding a fountain to an existing wall requires that you add a fountain mask as well as a basin at the bottom to collect the water. The plumbing and masonry work necessary for this kind of job requires expertise, so it is best to hire a skilled person rather than go at it yourself.