The Many Options Regarding Water Fountain Facade Materials

There are many different facades out there for use in your water fountains, from glass and mirror finishes to pebble mosaics and cobbles, slate and granite, marble and plenty of other stones, resin, steel and copper and lots more. Plus, you can mix and match different finishes with appropriate trims to result in a look that's all your own.

Wall water fountains are some of the most versatile, but other kinds of fountains can have a number of different display options, too. There's no end to the number of different combinations you can come up with if you use a little creativity. Of course, each material in water fountain facades has its own limitations and strengths, plus special installation and maintenance requirements. Some are more or less costly, or more durable than others.

Learning about the different materials available for use in wall mounted fountains and in other fountain types can help you make the right decision. You'll get a beautiful fountain that lasts a long time as well as looking great, and you'll know how to take care of it. If you want to get the most for your money and create the perfect water fountain, here's a survey of some of the most common materials to help you.

1. Metal Facades

Stainless steel and copper are extremely common water fountain facade materials.  Powder coating and patinaing can give you a weathered or oxidized look, if that's what you prefer, or specialty coatings can produce a long lasting shine.  Some people decide to go with a brushed finish.  These capture light, but are softer looking than polished finishes and are less likely to suffer from disfiguring scratches and abrasions.  Of course, every type of finish in metal will require some maintenance, of course.  That's because no finish will last indefinitely with water running over it.  If this is a concern, mix and match metal with another facade material that needs less maintenance.

  2. Glass and Mirror Facades

Glass and mirrors can fall into this category, and stay sleek and shiny, though they can be quite fragile and won't hold up well against impacts.  Be sure you're choosing a solid, thick glass or mirror facade if this is the look you prefer, and remember to consider the effects of lighting on your fountain.  Wall mounted fountains with glass or mirror facades that are placed in areas with lots of bright, direct lighting can become blinding and unappealing.  Glass does have the benefit that it takes engraving very well, making it a great choice if you're interested in displaying your logo on a wall water fountain.

   3. Natural Facades

Slate and other stones are also very popular. Slate floor fountains, wall fountains and other types provide an attractive, natural feel to a room. They don't have the harshness that metal and glass often suffer from. Corner fountains made from slate can fit snugly and unobtrusively into nooks and crannies without disappearing. There are lots of colors to choose from, including black, green, and many others.

Choose a stone fountain facade with built in lighting to enhance the stone's natural brilliance. Just remember that while stone is very strong, it can also be extremely brittle. Installing stone facades correctly is extremely important if you don't want to have to deal with breakage or cracking. Remember that while slate is one of the most popular stones, it's not the only one, too. Black granite, marble, and other stones are all readily available. Just remember to choose a stone that won't be damaged by water over time.

Ceramic fountain facades are another popular choice. Large and small tiles are available, and some ceramic wall fountains are even made up of many tiny pieces, creating an incredibly attractive mosaic effect. Mosaics can also be made using smooth colored pebbles, glass and other materials. They've been around for thousands of years, and are still popular as a decorative element in wall water fountains.

No matter what kind of water fountain you choose or which facade material you decide to go with, you're going to need to learn about the options.  Find out what kind of maintenance your fountain is going to require and how durable it is in the long run.  These factors, combined with the expense of installation, will make a big difference in the kind of fountain facade you end up choosing.