Real Estate Articles - Waterfalls and Fountains

Enhance Your Home Using Waterfalls and Fountains

Waterfalls and fountains can magically transform your home into peaceful natural surroundings. The soothing sound of running water has a very relaxing and calming effect. Over the years, indoor waterfalls have increased in popularity because of their ability to heal; not only do they add a soothing effect through their bubbling sounds, but they are also a visual treat. If you are planning on decorating your home with outdoor or indoor waterfalls, there are two main aspects that you need to focus on – the cascading design of the waterfall and the pool that the water will collect in.

In addition to waterfalls and fountains, some luxury homeowners are putting in custom stamped concrete to give their yard and home a fantastic look!

Waterfalls

Indoor and outdoor waterfalls come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The toughest part when it comes to building a waterfall is deciding on how to attain the desired height of the waterfall. You can make use of the present slope of an existing structure, or you can erect an artificial slope or a beam. The bigger the structure you build, the bigger your expenses will be. Generally, there is no point in building a massive structure. A small waterfall will be just as effective in creating a calming atmosphere as a big one.

There are a few things you need to keep in mind before you go about building your fountain or waterfall. First and foremost, you must consider the location. If you are planning on building it in the garden, then your fountain or waterfall should be plainly visible and fit in with the natural landscape of the garden. You can use bronze, slate, stone or any other type of solid material for building your waterfall. If you are planning on building an outdoor waterfall, you should always keep in mind any variation in temperatures. Polyresin is a lightweight but tough substitute for marble or heavy stone, and it can take on a number of finishes - without burning a hole in your wallet.

An ideal waterfall or fountain needs to strike a balance between blending in with the current surroundings and standing out as a decorative piece. On one hand, if the waterfall is too small, then it will fail to have that eye-catching effect. But on the other hand, if it is way too big, then it might look like it belongs in a park and not in your garden. If you have a small balcony or a narrow entrance, you should probably choose a tabletop or wall fountain. But if you have a huge garden, then you can create a universe of your own by making a cascading waterfall.

Solar Fountains

With the rise in energy costs, especially in places like California, an increasing number of homeowners are now trying to find alternative energy sources. This has encouraged the use of solar fountains. Solar fountains are Eco-friendly and are also quite affordable. Since solar fountains work on sunlight, there is no electricity required and they don’t need to be located near a power source. The greatest advantage with solar fountains is that there are no position restrictions. For instance, solar pond fountains can be placed in your garden pond itself, away from power outlets. As a result, there are no electrical cords to jostle with and they are safe around water. These fountains can float on the pond, or you can use a rope or an anchor to hold it in place. Unlike most other fountains, solar fountains are low maintenance and do not make any noise. They are also safe to use around pets and children.

Solar Fountains can be used any time of the year - even in winters - as long as the temperatures do not fall below freezing. If a solar panel is attached to the fountain during freezing weather and there is sunlight outside, the pump may get dented. It is best to disconnect your solar fountain in adverse weather conditions.

Along with increasing resale value, waterfalls and fountains can greatly transform the look and feel of your home. If you like fountains and waterfalls, but don’t feel confident enough to build them on your own, then you can hire a home improvement professional or a landscaper – they will be able to transform your home into paradise in less than a days’ time.

If you are considering a waterfall or fountain to enhance your home's look in order to sell, read how home staging and curb appeal can also help.

                                                                             Debra Miller

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