Granite Fountains and Water Features
Fountains
Adding a fountain to your outdoor living space can provide several benefits:
Aesthetic appeal: Fountains can add a beautiful and elegant focal point to your outdoor living space, especially if it is designed in a way that complements the surrounding landscape.
Relaxation: The sound of flowing water can be very calming and soothing, helping to create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere in your outdoor living space.
Improved air quality: Fountains can help to improve the air quality in your outdoor living space by releasing negative ions into the air, which can help to alleviate stress and promote a sense of well-being.
Wildlife attraction: Fountains can also attract wildlife such as birds and butterflies, which can add to the natural beauty of your outdoor living space.
Increased property value: Installing a fountain can increase the value of your property, especially if it is well-designed and complements the overall landscaping of your outdoor space.
Overall, adding a fountain to your outdoor living space can provide both aesthetic and practical benefits, making it a worthwhile investment for homeowners who want to create a more inviting and relaxing outdoor environment.
Types of Fountains
There are many different types of water fountains and water features, ranging from small tabletop fountains to large public installations. Here are some of the most common types:
Wall Fountains: These are fountains that are mounted on a wall, often in a garden or outdoor space.
Tiered Fountains: These are fountains that have multiple levels or tiers, with water flowing from one level to the next.
Sculptural Fountains: These are fountains that have a sculptural element, often depicting animals, people, or abstract shapes.
Water Walls: These are fountains that create a cascading wall of water.
Waterfalls: These are fountains that create a natural-looking waterfall effect, often used in outdoor settings.
Wall fountains are a timeless addition to any outdoor space, providing both aesthetic appeal and a soothing ambiance. With so many options available, it’s easy to find the perfect outdoor water fountain to match your personal style and complement the design of your home or garden. Whether you prefer a classic or modern look, the sound of running water from a wall fountain can create a calming atmosphere, making it the perfect feature to enhance any outdoor setting. From intimate courtyards to grand entrances, wall fountains are a beautiful way to add elegance and tranquility to your outdoor space.
Tiered fountains are a classic and elegant addition to any outdoor space, whether it be a public park or a private garden. The multi-level design of these fountains creates a mesmerizing visual spectacle as water cascades from one level to the next, creating a soothing and tranquil ambiance. The tiers themselves can vary in size and shape, allowing for a wide range of design options to suit any aesthetic preference. Tiered fountains are often crafted from durable materials such as marble or granite, ensuring their longevity and ability to withstand the elements. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, tiered fountains also serve a functional purpose in circulating and oxygenating water for the benefit of aquatic plants and wildlife. Overall, tiered fountains are a sophisticated and timeless addition to any outdoor space, combining beauty with functionality to create a truly enchanting atmosphere.
Sculptural fountains are a stunning blend of art and engineering, designed to capture the imagination and captivate the senses. These fountains are not just functional water features, but also works of art that elevate the aesthetic of any space they occupy. From large public installations to intricate garden fountains, each piece is unique, crafted with meticulous attention to detail and designed to evoke a specific mood or emotion. The combination of flowing water and sculptural forms creates a mesmerizing experience, inviting viewers to pause and reflect on the beauty and power of nature. Whether modern or classical in style, sculptural fountains are timeless pieces that can transform any environment into a serene and inviting oasis.
Granite Outlasts
When considering the necessary elements needed to create a successful water fountain, granite is the superior choice in material. Commonly, granite is used for heavy-use areas in the home such as kitchen countertops because it is a dense stone that naturally resists water penetration and staining. Granite countertops are also strong and durable helping them to scratch less than most other countertop options. In addition to the countertops, granite wears well in any state because of its superior natural properties. Granite is denser and stronger than most other stones including marble, limestone, and especially concrete.
Granite is one of the densest natural stones making it ideal for fountains and water features. Perhaps the best attribute of granite fountains and water features is that the stone ages gracefully and is naturally more resistant to erosion and water penetration. These fountains can last longer than a lifetime maintaining their function and appearance. Although not necessary, granite can be easily cleaned to prolong the desired look without deteriorating the surface. Acid washing is used to safely remove mineral build-up or moss growth and poultice treatments are used to remove oil-based stains. Granite is dense enough that a raw or unfinished surface works well for a fountain, but for added protection, it can be easily honed or polished depending on the desired look. A polished granite surface, typically seen on kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities, is the most resistant to water penetration and staining. A honed or leathered finish resists staining well with a softer, more natural-looking sheen. Natural granite, in any shape, style, or sheen, is by far the best choice of material for water features and fountains.
Carving Granite
Granite can be carved in numerous shapes and sizes since it naturally resists cracking and breakage. Since granite is such a dense and hard stone, it requires the right tools and pressure to form and carve it. The technology of machinery has greatly improved the carving process allowing almost any shape or design to be created. The same carving efforts done by hand for centuries can now be done in about a tenth of the time with water jets and laser-cutting. Intricate patterning and styling can be easily achieved in granite without concern about cracking and breakage as with limestone. Similarly, concrete has to be poured and molded to create the fountain components limiting the design possibilities. Natural granite allows the creator to be more creative, precise and accurately enabling them to develop a superior product.