Where did Garden Water Fountains Come From?
Where did Garden Water Fountains Come From? A fountain, an amazing piece of engineering, not only supplies drinking water as it pours into a basin, it can also launch water high into the air for a noteworthy effect.
Originally, fountains only served a functional purpose. Inhabitants of cities, townships and small towns used them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash, which meant that fountains had to be connected to nearby aqueduct or spring. Until the late nineteenth, century most water fountains operated using gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a source of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Acting as an element of adornment and celebration, fountains also provided clean, fresh drinking water. The main materials used by the Romans to build their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly depicting animals or heroes. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to mimic the gardens of paradise. To show his prominence over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to extol their positions by adding beautiful baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.
The end of the 19th century saw the increase in usage of indoor plumbing to provide drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to purely decorative elements. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity helped fountains to deliver recycled water into living spaces as well as create unique water effects.
Nowadays, fountains decorate public areas and are used to honor individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
The Countless Construction Materials of Fountains
The Countless Construction Materials of Fountains While today’s garden fountains are made in a number of materials, the majority are made from metal. Metals tend to create clean lines and unique sculptural accents and can fit almost any design theme or budget. Your landscaping should complement the style of your residence.At present, copper is extremely prevalent for sculptural garden fountains. Copper fountains are the ideal choice because they are perfect for the inside and outside. Copper is also flexible enough that you can pick a range of styles for your fountain, from contemporary to whimsical.
If your style is more old-fashioned, a brass water fountain might work for you. Although it is not the most modern, the creatures and sculptural features you find on fountains are commonly made of brass, thus making them very popular.
Of all the metals, stainless steel is seen as the most contemporary-looking. Adding a modern-looking steel design will immediately add value to your garden and elevate the overall ambiance. As with most fountains, they are available in many sizes.
Fiberglass is a popular material for fountains because you can get the look and feel of metal at a much lower price, and it is lighter weight and easier to move than metal. Keeping a fiberglass water fountain clean and working properly is quite effortless, another aspect consumers love.
The Effect of the Norman Conquest on Anglo Saxon Landscaping
The Effect of the Norman Conquest on Anglo Saxon Landscaping Anglo-Saxons experienced great adjustments to their daily lives in the latter half of the eleventh century due to the accession of the Normans. At the time of the conquest, the Normans surpassed the Anglo-Saxons in building design and cultivation. Nonetheless the Normans had to pacify the entire territory before they could concentrate on home life, domestic architecture, and decoration. Because of this, castles were cruder constructions than monasteries: Monasteries were frequently significant stone buildings set in the biggest and most fertile valleys, while castles were erected on windy crests where their inhabitants dedicated time and space to projects for offense and defense. Gardening, a peaceful occupation, was impracticable in these fruitless fortifications. Berkeley Castle, potentially the most uncorrupted model of the early Anglo-Norman style of architecture, still exists now. The keep is rumored to have been invented during the time of William the Conqueror. A big terrace intended for exercising and as a means to stop enemies from mining below the walls runs about the building. A picturesque bowling green, enveloped in grass and enclosed by battlements cut out of an ancient yew hedge, makes one of the terraces.
Keep Your Fountain Tidy
Keep Your Fountain Tidy It is important to carefully maintain water fountains for them to function optimally. Leaves, twigs, and insects very often find their way into fountains, so it is vital to keep yours free from such debris. Another factor is that water that is exposed to sunlight is susceptible to growing algae. Either sea salt, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar can be mixed into the water to prevent this problem. Bleach can also be put into the water, however this is not an ideal option because it can hurt birds or other animals. An extensive cleaning every 3-4 months is recommended for garden fountains. First off you must drain the water.
Then use a soft cloth and gentle cleanser to scrub the inside. Feel free to use a toothbrush if needed for any smaller crevasses. Be sure to carefully rinse the inner surface of the fountain to make sure all the soap is gone.
It is highly advised taking the pump apart to better clean the inside and eliminate any plankton or calcium. To make it less challenging, soak it in vinegar overnight before cleaning. Neither rain water nor mineral water contain ingredients that will collect inside the pump, so use either over tap water if possible.
Finally, be sure to have a quick look at your fountain daily and add water if you see that the level is too low. If the water level falls below the pump’s intake level, it can harm the pump and cause it to burn out - something you do not want to happen!