Choosing an Outdoor Fountain Material
It seems like nowadays everybody has some sort of water feature in their outdoor space. Whether it’s a large waterfall in the garden, a solar birdbath in the yard, or a small tabletop piece on the patio, they’ve exploded in popularity in the last few years. With the thousands and thousands of fountains out there, you’ve got all sorts of different styles and material to choose from. A lot of people don’t take time to consider it, but getting the right material is crucial to getting the most out of your fountain. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common types:
Fiberglass & Resin – Although 2 different materials (fiberglass is a mixture of plastic with glass fibers, resin is hard plastic with no glass), these 2 are very similar. They’re both prized for being so light in weight compared to other materials, which makes them great if you plan on moving your fountain around regularly. They tend to be pretty weather-resistant too, so you can leave them outside most of the year with no worries. Freezing temperatures can present problems though, so make sure you brings these indoors in subzero weather.
Ceramic – Just like ceramic pottery, ceramic fountains are instantly recognizable for their bold, bright finishes. They’re truly some of the most beautiful ones on the market and make an easy way to add a splash of color to your patio. Their downside is that they can be fragile. Although most ceramic holds up through all sorts of weather conditions, they can easily crack and break if knocked over. Make sure yours is in a safe place.
Cast Stone – There’s nothing that looks as good as a real, authentic stone fountain, and that’s what you get with cast stone. It’s actually a form of concrete that’s made to look like natural stone, but when seeing how good it looks you’d never know the difference. These fountains are very durable – you can leave them outside all year long (provided you drain them in the winter) and worries about them cracking or breaking from sudden impacts are almost nonexistent. Their weight can be an issue though, since most weigh anywhere from 150 to well over 1,000 pounds. Make sure you know where you want to place it before you set it up.
Slate – Slate is most often found on waterfall fountains. Since they’re naturally cut, they have a very rugged, weathered look that adds character to anywhere they’re placed, indoors or out. Most of these models are tall, vertical designs, so they can fit easily in the corner of a patio or against a wall. Although they can be heavy, slate fountains are very tough and will last for years. Keep in mind that the slate fountain you receive may not look exactly like the one you saw when you made your purchase due to natural variations in color.
When you’re shopping for a fountain, material is one of the most important things to consider. Use this primer as a guide and purchasing your next water feature will be that much easier!
About The Author – Melissa Anne is a writer with OutdoorLiving.com/learning-center/ and an enthusiast of all things outdoors. For more on outdoor fountains, visit OutdoorFountains.com, your source for everything from bird baths to pumps to solar water fountains.