The Various Construction Materials of Outdoor Fountains
The Various Construction Materials of Outdoor Fountains Most modern garden fountains come in metal, although various other types exist.
Today, a lot of people elect copper for their sculptural garden fountains. Copper fountains are the ideal option because they are perfect for the inside and outside. Copper is also adaptable enough that you can choose a range of styles for your fountain, from contemporary to whimsical.
Brass water fountains are also common, though they tend to have a more conventional look than copper ones. You will see a lot of brass fountains, as their interesting artwork makes them trendy even if they are on the more traditional side.
Probably the most modern of all metals is stainless steel. Adding a modern-looking steel design will immediately add value to your garden and enhance the overall atmosphere. Like all water fountains, you can buy them in just about any size you choose.
Fiberglass is a widely used material for fountains because you can get the look and feel of metal at a much lower price, and it is lighter and easier to move than metal. It is not complicated to clean and maintain a fiberglass water fountain, yet another reason they are common.
Contemporary Garden Decor: Large Outdoor Water Fountains and their Roots
Contemporary Garden Decor: Large Outdoor Water Fountains and their Roots
From the beginning, outdoor fountains were soley meant to serve as functional elements. Inhabitants of urban areas, townships and small towns utilized them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash up, which meant that fountains had to be connected to nearby aqueduct or spring. Up to the late nineteenth century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and more elevated than the fountain so that gravity could make the water flow downwards or jet high into the air. Acting as an element of adornment and celebration, fountains also generated clean, fresh drinking water. Roman fountains usually depicted images of animals or heroes made of metal or stone masks. To depict the gardens of paradise, Muslim and Moorish garden planners of the Middle Ages added fountains to their designs. King Louis XIV of France wanted to demonstrate his dominion over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. To mark the entrance of the restored Roman aqueducts, the Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries commissioned the building of baroque style fountains in the spot where the aqueducts entered the city of Rome
Indoor plumbing became the main source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby limiting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity enabled fountains to provide recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.
Modern-day fountains serve mostly as decoration for public spaces, to honor individuals or events, and compliment entertainment and recreational events.