Exterior Wall Fountains: The Numerous Styles Available

There are two specific styles of fountains you can buy: mounted and free-standing. Small, self-contained versions can be hung on a wall are called mounted wall fountains. Wall fountains made of resin ( similar to stone) or fiberglass are normally lightweight so they can be easily hung. In large free-standing fountains, otherwise referred to as wall fountains, the basin is located on the ground with the flat side positioned against a wall. Normally made of cast stone, these water features have no weight limitations.

It is a good idea to integrate a custom-made fountain into a new or existing wall, something often suggested by landscape experts. Installing the basin against the wall and installing all the plumbing work needs a professional mason to do it correctly. A fountain mask or a spout also needs to be incorporated into the wall. Custom-built wall fountains lend to a unified look because they become part of the landscape rather than look like a later addition.

Where did Fountains Come From?

From the beginning, outdoor fountains were simply meant to serve as functional elements. 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 supply, including aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to benefit from gravity which fed the fountains. Fountains were not only used as a water source for drinking water, but also to adorn homes and celebrate the artist who created it. The main materials used by the Romans to build their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes. Throughout the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners included fountains to create smaller variations of the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to demonstrate his superiority over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to extol their positions by adding decorative baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.

Since indoor plumbing became the standard of the day for clean, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely decorative. The introduction of unique water effects and the recycling of water were two things made possible by replacing gravity with mechanical pumps.

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