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Choosing
Features
of the Fountain
It is important to determine the preferences you have for the fountain in terms of
its appearance and "noise" pattern. Water associated with your fountain can be
in the pattern of spray, trickle, bubble or cascade. Another consideration is
the water's sound. Larger fountains, particularly with higher water drop, tend to make greater noise. Do you want to hear the roar of the water or the soft babbling of a brook coming from your back yard? If you decide to go
with a large sized fountain, make sure you have sufficient spaces between the
fountain and the house so that the water sound does not interfere with normal
life.
Choosing Size of the Fountain
The size of fountain should depend on the space where the fountain is to be
situated. In general, a garden fountain can either be installed in the yard or
inside a pool. A large fountain certainly will overpower a small yard or pond. Likewise, large
garden can easily make a small delicate fountain virtually invisible. You want your fountain to be a focal point
in the garden, so it is important to choose a fountain that has a proper size
and fit well in the setting of your yard.
Choosing Material for the Fountain
Garden fountains can be made out of a variety of materials. Each material may have
its advantages and disadvantages. When choosing a material for your fountain,
you may want to take your local weather condition into consideration. Some materials are not
as much weathering resistant as others and can not stand up well to extreme weather
variations.
Popular materials for garden fountains include concrete, terracotta, lead marble,
natural marble, travertine, limestone, millstone, carved or cast stone, lightweight glass fiber
reinforced concrete or faux stone, bronze, brass, cast iron and aluminum.
Natural stone and bronze fountains can last very long time. A bronze fountain
when exposing to the open air for an extended period can develop a stunning aged surface
(antiqued) that delights many. Aluminum is the lightest among all but doesn't age
even if being exposed to harsh weather. Marble fountains have great values for
natural uniqueness and artistic sculpting, however, they may crack in the cold winter
season when the water or moistures reside in marble's rich. Lead metal has a traditional antique quality and often turns darker as it ages.
Lead metal is rather soft and sometimes needs to be reshaped with a soft mallet hammer. Cast stone is a type of concrete that is very durable and
can be resemblance of natural stone. cast marble comes in a full spectrum of colors and if formulated properly, can withstand
severe weather for decades.
Safety & Maintenance
Considerations
Safety and maintenance are also important considerations in choosing garden
fountains. When installing a garden fountain, you should ask yourself several
questions: will pets, animals or small children have the easy access to the fountain? Is it safely anchored to the ground? Can it tip over
easily? Does it constitute a potential drowning hazard?
Depending on the material of the fountain, you may need to devote certain
efforts in maintenance to keep it in good condition. Concrete, marble, glass
fiber and cast stone fountains need to be completely dried out if they are left outdoor during winter
to avoid possible cracking. Water remained in the plumbing could burst the pipes,
which may quite likely break the fountain as well. Fiberglass fountains are
typically light enough so it is easy to move them indoors during winter. In
addition, algae can often build up in the water if not properly treated or kept clean.
Consult with the manufacturer's guidelines to determine other maintenances
needed for your garden fountain.
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