The fountains with their innumerable shapes, still represent, in addition to the decorative element of the gardens, their practical function of administering the most precious good: “water”. There are various types of fountains, from the simplest column to those with the most diverse shapes and decorations that make them real masterpieces. The primary element that represents them and that makes them useful and indispensable is always and only: “water”. They allow it to be dispensed through a pipeline to one or more taps, sometimes also creating games and repeated passages, through a regular recycling, managed by a pump and a purification and potabilization system that avoids waste.

The fountains are designed to give, in addition to their purely practical use, a special touch to your garden. Since the variety of shapes and styles is immense, we are going to discover some particularities that make them a unique element for the furnishing of our green spaces. Since they are born with the simple function of supplying water, over time they have increasingly become a symbol of well-being and opulence, since Roman times. Even today this object if well placed, gives a charm of other times. However, the choice does not follow exclusively aesthetic needs, but also a targeted use. Depending on the type of garden, the choice may fall on those embedded in the wall, with a circular base, in cast iron, concrete and terracotta. Having an adequate space, a very romantic and suggestive peculiarity is that represented by the fountain made up of blocks of rock, from which a spout emerges that creates the illusion of spring water. Equally fascinating is the one built into the wall, consisting of a collection bowl, which can be placed on the ground or anchored to the wall itself. Very suggestive and practical if you place it at a corner, making it a real decorative object. Find its ideal location if you have limited space. The choice of wall fountains often falls on classical and Roman art, but the decorations and lines to choose from are countless as well as the materials. The important thing is that everything blends harmoniously with the green space, creating that extra touch of vitality and particularity. Zen fountains are very suitable for decorating gardens with a more modern style. From the simplest to the most sophisticated. They are small in size and to follow oriental philosophy they are placed following the bases of Japanese aesthetic parameters. The aim is to contrast the static nature of the garden with a movement that is dynamic and in continuous transformation. They are also built with natural materials such as terracotta, river rocks and bamboo. The architectural aspect is simple and linear, the water collection bowls recall the typical shape of the rocks of a spring that gush fresh and pure water. The naturalness and essentiality of these harmonious creations do not represent the only possible solution. In fact, there are others that are made for decorative purposes only with the most disparate shapes and colors, made according to the most suitable atmosphere for the garden.

Stone, thanks to its resistance to the corrosive action of water, shocks and thermal changes, is the most important material for the construction of outdoor fountains. Since the past, thanks to its easy availability and high resistance over time to atmospheric agents, it has been the fundamental element for their manufacture. In more recent times the cast iron at higher latitudes, due to the winter frost, has replaced the stone ensuring excellent thermal insulation. Cast iron is a material whose origins date back to over 1000 years BC. Over the centuries its processing has been perfected to create fountains with unique characteristics with a material that does not require any maintenance. If you were to order one of a particular shape, there would be no problems of any kind in making it. Gray cast iron is mainly used for processing, which can also be enamelled in different colors. Cement has found its application in the marketing of drinking fountains thanks to its particular malleability and low cost. The key feature that distinguishes it is the resistance to bad weather, sturdiness and versatility. It is possible with special molds to create fountains of any shape and by adding pebbles or grit of various colors to the concrete, it is possible to obtain results that are reminiscent of real stone. Marble, on the other hand, is still the most decorative material with a great emotional impact attributable to the masterpieces of the past, despite its high costs and the obligation of constant cleaning and maintenance. The garden fountains can also be made in terracotta, suitable for the most varied colored decorations and in iron with low cost and high resistance productions.

Managing a green space also means taking care of it and making it comfortable and pleasant not only from an aesthetic point of view. The fountains are objects that can personalize and make the environment and the space intended for them, even more pleasant to live. There are still some who think that the fountains are objects related to old gardens with marble statues, faces of animals carved in stone and mythological images, but the error is understandable. On the market today it is possible to find all types, shapes and sizes. The first step to take, before buying one, it is certainly necessary to predict where it will be placed, since you will have to deal with external temperatures, exposure to the sun and atmospheric agents. If you only need it as a decorative element, any place will do. If you want to use it for cleaning tools, for washing grills and various cookware used in grilling, you will have to buy a large and impact-resistant one. You could place it near the kitchenette and you will have to choose it if possible with a comfortable support. If you like the classic bronze wall fountain, you will certainly have to choose the one with a flat bottom by applying it to the wall with suitable plugs. They are the typical non-supported fountains, very suggestive with the face of an animal carved on the facade, almost always that of the lion, from whose mouth the water will gush. For example, if you live by the sea, those in steel, which contain nickel are the most suitable, as they are very resistant to corrosion and the salinity of the sea. For those who love technology and are an advocate of respect for the environment, they can also buy one with solar power.

Despite the continuous exposure to bad weather and corrosive attacks by water, the fountains do not require special maintenance and care. It is good practice to regularly check the correct functioning of the plumbing system and to carry out an adequate cleaning of the water collection bowl, freeing the drain from leaves and branches. With the arrival of winter it is useful to remove the surface dirt with a brush using detergents suitable for the type of material of which the fountain is made. Water is a treasure and should not be wasted and the fountain is its faithful companion who has been administering it to men since ancient times, with dedication and parsimony.