Modern Garden Decor: Outdoor Fountains and their Roots

Originally, fountains only served a practical purpose. Water fountains were connected to a spring or aqueduct to provide potable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Used until the 19th century, in order for fountains to flow or shoot up into the air, their origin of water such as reservoirs or aqueducts, had to be higher than the water fountain in order to benefit from gravity. Acting as an element of adornment and celebration, fountains also supplied clean, fresh drinking water. The main materials used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly depicting animals or heroes. Muslims and Moorish garden designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller versions of the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to demonstrate his dominion over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. The Romans of the 17th and 18th centuries created baroque decorative fountains to exalt the Popes who commissioned them as well as to mark the spot where the restored Roman aqueducts entered the city.

Urban fountains made at the end of the nineteenth served only as decorative and celebratory ornaments since indoor plumbing provided the necessary drinking water. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity helped fountains to bring recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.

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

The Various Construction Materials of Landscape Fountains

Today, a lot of people choose copper for their sculptural garden fountains. Copper is common for both inside and outside use and is widely found in tabletop and cascade fountains, among others. If you decide to go with copper, your fountain can be any style from fun and whimsical to contemporary.

Brass water fountains are also common, although they tend to have a more conventional look than copper ones. Even though they are a bit old-fashioned, brass fountains are quite popular because they often include interesting artwork.

Most consumers today see stainless steel as the most modern option. For an immediate increase in the value and comfort of your garden, get one of the contemporary steel designs. Like other water features, they come in a variety of sizes.

Fiberglass fountains are popular because they look similar to metal but are more affordable and much less difficult to move around. Keeping a fiberglass water fountain clean and working properly is quite effortless, another aspect consumers like.