Exterior Wall Fountains: The Numerous Styles on the Market

Mounted and free-standing water features are readily available on the market. Small, self-contained versions can be placed on a wall are called mounted wall fountains. Wall fountains made of resin ( similar to stone) or fiberglass are typically light so they can be easily hung. Free-standing fountains, often referred to as floor fountains, are of considerable size, have a basin located on the ground and a smooth side which leans against a wall. Generally constructed of cast stone, this type of water feature is not limited in weight.

Custom-made fountains which can be integrated into a new or existing wall are often prescribed by landscaping designers. The basin and all the necessary plumbing are best installed by a trained mason. You will need to integrate a spout or fountain mask into the wall. The cohesive look provided by custom-made wall fountains make them appear to be part of the scenery rather than an afterthought.

The Understated Charm of the Water Wall Fountain

A wall fountain can contribute a great deal of charm, even to modern living areas. They can also add an element of chic to your decor since they are also available in modern-day materials including glass and stainless steel. Does your home or business have a small amount of space? The perfect choice for you is a wall water fountain. You can save your precious space by putting one on a wall. Commercial buildings with busy lobbies generally have one of these fountains. Wall fountains can be set up outdoors as well. Fiberglass and resin are great materials to use for outdoor wall water features. Spruce up your patio, courtyard, or other outdoor areas with a water fountain made of these weather-proof materials.

Wall fountains can be found in a number of distinctive styles, ranging from ultra-sleek to traditional and rustic. The type you select for your space is dictated by personal design preferences. A city dweller’s decor ideas might call for polished glass whereas a mountaineer might prefer a more traditional material such as slate for a mountain lodge. Your personal design plans determine the material you select. There is no doubting the fact that fountains are features which impress visitors and add to your quality of life.

The Origins Of Outdoor Fountains

Originally, fountains only served a functional purpose. 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. Up until the 19th century, fountains had to be more elevated and closer to a water source, such as aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to benefit from gravity which fed the fountains. Fountains were not only utilized as a water source for drinking water, but also to decorate homes and celebrate the designer who created it. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often used by Romans to beautify their fountains. Muslims and Moorish landscaping designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller models of the gardens of paradise. To demonstrate his prominence 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 spot 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. Gravity was substituted by mechanical pumps in order to enable fountains to bring in clean water and allow for beautiful water displays.

Modern-day fountains serve mostly as decoration for public spaces, to honor individuals or events, and compliment entertainment and recreational activities.