Water Features - Outdoor Fountain
About Outdoor Fountains
Introduction
Fountains, for a mighty long time, have been an attractive element of many landscapes. The word “fountain” originally meant a natural spring or source of water. Nowadays, it refers to an artificial structure designed to contain and move water, offering beauty or refreshment, or perhaps both.
The most significant way to transform the beauty of your outdoors is by adding an outdoor fountain to your landscape. It is not enough just to have a neat lawn, evergreen plants and colorful flowers growing in your garden. What you need is a feature that gives a dramatic effect to your exterior space, which at the same time complements your landscape’s surroundings and exhibits a relaxing atmosphere. An outdoor fountain combines the natural feel of a waterfall with the aesthetic beauty of a sculpture, sure to enhance any area it is placed in. Benefits of Outdoor Fountains
Imagine sitting in your backyard, watching the water trickle down your outdoor fountain while listening to the soothing sound it creates. This alone is a definite reward to a long day’s hard work. The purpose of every garden is to provide a paradise where you can unwind and take pleasure in the beauty around you.
Water flowing down an outdoor fountain creates a soothing sound which is known to help focus the mind. The splashing sounds of water also block off unwanted noise from the neighborhood. By adjusting the settings on the fountain’s water pump, you can play around with the speed and cascade height till you achieve the desired sound affects. Furthermore, waterfalls produce negative ions (little electrically charged particles) that assist in calming your nerves and making you feel relaxed. The negative ions also remove impurities in the air which in turn assuage allergies and decrease air pollution. This is a unique benefit no other element in your garden can offer. Outdoor fountains literally can make nature come home. Other than the natural look of a waterfall, outdoor fountains also attract many animals. By providing a water source, you will find many small animals like birds, butterflies, squirrels and other wildlife lingering by around the outdoor fountain.
Types of Outdoor Fountains
Outdoor fountains come in two different types: the statuary fountains and the spray fountains. The statuary fountains range from the classical birdbath-style to the symbolic sculptures. There are many styles and themes available including Greco-Roman, European, Zen, religious, contemporary, animals or angels. With loads of options available, you won’t have trouble finding the right statuary fountain to suit your garden’s style, your taste, and your budget.
The second type is the spray fountain, also referred to as the pond fountain or jet fountain. This is probably the more basic type, usually consisting of a pump, float, spray nozzle, power cord and control panel with timer. Lights can be used to highlight the water spray during evening hours. For a theatrical effect, some spray fountains come with multiple interchangeable spray nozzles that produce a stunning variety of patterns. With the different voltages, pump strengths and spray pattern diameters, it is easy to find a spray fountain suitable for the size of your pond or lake. Materials Used
The most popular materials used for outdoor fountains are concrete and ceramic for they look good and last long. Granite outdoor fountains are also long-lasting; in fact, if you’re after the latest trend, then black granite is what you should opt for. Fiberglass, porcelain, copper and wood are also widely used for outdoor fountains.
Choosing your Outdoor Fountain
When choosing your outdoor water fountain, take note of the following:
- The style of your outdoor space. Of course, you want the style of your outdoor fountain to match the design of your landscape
- The amount of space available. If you have a small outdoor area, opt for a wall fountain or table top fountain. For large spaces, a suitably-sized floor fountain will do the job.
