An Outdoor Fountain to Adorn Your Yard
Turn your back yard into a serene oasis with an outdoor fountain. Give your garden the spa treatment it deserves as you relieve stress with the relaxing sounds of cascading water from a rock fountain, a wall fountain or tap into the power of the sun with a unique solar fountain.
Fountains are an excellent way to add to your home’s curb appeal while adding ambience and style to your yard. Whether you have your eye on a large fountain to serve as the main focal point of your garden or you’re considering a small fountain as an accent to your garden, the right fountain is the one that works best for you.
What Size Fountain Should I Get?
No matter what size your yard or garden is, ensure that the fountain is in proportion to the space. A fountain that’s too large for the area will make the space look cramped. If the fountain is too small, it gets lost among the surroundings.
Fountain Materials
Fountains made for the outdoors are meant to be durable and stand up to the elements. However, the most reliable materials are stone and concrete. Stone fountains are commonly made with natural stones like granite or limestone, which are extremely durable. Like stone, concrete fountains are also durable with the added bonus of being able to be molded into various designs. While stone and concrete can stand up to harsh weather conditions, they’re both porous and are prone to damage from cracking in freezing temperatures.
Resin is lightweight, nonporous and versatile. It can be molded into a variety of designs. Resin can mimic the look and feel of natural stone without the weight. Although durable and low maintenance, resin fountains tend to erode and deteriorate faster than stone or concrete. You would need to clean them regularly to prevent limescale and algae from building up.
Ceramic fountains are nonporous and look their absolute best when glazed, giving them a sleek and stunning appearance. They are, however, prone to chipping, cracking or breaking when exposed to extreme temperatures. Ceramic fountains also require regular maintenance and should be wintereized and stored indoors during winter.
Metal fountains are recyclable, durable, low maintenance and less likely to crack during cold temperatures. However, as they’re lightweight, they may need extra support to prevent them from tipping over. They’ll also require more upkeep to prevent tarnishing, water spots, etc.
Types of Fountains
With so many different types of water fountains available — from simple to ornate, whimsical to stately — it makes sense to whittle down your list of possible choices so that you’re not unduly overwhelmed when it’s time to decide.
Tiered Fountains
This is the most popular of the outdoor fountain designs. Having been around for centuries, a tiered fountain is a classic design that consists of multiple levels from which water cascades down, level by level. Tiered fountains are popular in formal gardens.
Tabletop Fountains
Tabletop fountains have become extremely popular in the last few years. They take everything you love about larger outdoor fountains and put them in a smaller package, along with a pump included to circulate the water. They’re designed to sit on top of a table. The design choices include cascading bowls, tiered fountains and other fountain designs. Tabletop fountains are quick and easy to set up and are perfect for small spaces.
Wall Fountains
Wall fountains are a perfect fit for places where space is limited. Wherever there’s a sturdy wall that can support the fountain’s weight is an ideal location. They come in various styles, from classic designs to sleek contemporary designs.
Bird Bath Fountains
Birds love moving water and what better way to welcome them into your garden than with a bird bath fountain. Get your binoculars ready. Your bird bath fountain is an open invitation for a wide variety of birds to come bathe and drink in your garden.
Fountain Statutes
Fountain statutes are fountains that incorporate sculptural elements, typically (but not always) depicting animals, humans or mythical creatures. You’ll often see these statues used as a focal point in a garden, pool or backyard. Fountain statues differ from traditional fountains in that the latter draws attention to the water display.
Other fountain types include waterfall, rock, planter, urn and floating.
