Fountain Buying Guide

If you have already started browsing our huge selection of water fountains and are now reading this, you are either curious or confused. Don’t worry - we will help you figure out how to narrow your choices down so you can more easily find the perfect fountain for you. There’s a lot of information here, so feel free to skip around until you find the answers to your questions. You can also check out our benefits of fountains page for great reasons to own a water fountain. As always, feel free to contact us with any questions.

How do Water Fountains work?

Most fountains are electrically powered. They have a power cord which you plug into the wall like any appliance. All of our outdoor fountains have UL-approved grounding plugs which protect you from electric shock if any moisture occurred near the plug. The power runs a submersible water pump which re-circulates water from the basin through tubing and out of the spout or water flow feature of the fountain. This means the fountains are self-sustaining and do not need to have a water line going to them. Instead you simply have to refill them occasionally to ensure the pumps remain fully submerged and operating properly.

Indoor Fountain Buying Guide

There are certain things to consider when deciding which water fountain to choose for your home.

Indoor Fountain Sizes

We display the height, width, depth and weight dimensions of each Indoor Fountain on each individual product page. Use these measurements and visualize what something this size would look like in the location you are considering. You could also tape off the measurements on the floor and cut out some cardboard with the height of the fountain and ensure the space you want to place it is large enough. Some of you already have the area in mind, so you need to choose your fountain according to the amount of room you have. Others of you will see a indoor fountain you can’t resist and create a place for it.

Indoor Fountain Styles

Offering such a robust selection of all types of fountains means you will surely find one here to match your own personal decorating style. Once you browse our selection of Indoor Fountains you will likely spend a little time narrowing down your final decision. Just remember, you can always contact us if you have any questions. In the near future we will be offering some customized fountain as well.

Indoor Fountain Water Noise Levels

Our fountains range from small, relatively quiet Tabletop Fountains to very large Outdoor Garden Fountains with a higher water sound. When choosing your fountain, make sure to consider the water noise it will add to your room or outdoor living space. Some fountains allow the manipulation of stones or pebbles which can redirect the water flow and adjust the water sound. Many of the fountain pumps have an adjustable water flow mechanism giving you control over the speed in which water flows through the fountain. You want an appropriate water noise level in order to fully enjoy the relaxing, soothing ambiance a fountain brings to your home. We can help you make this determination, just contact us with any questions.

Splash Factor – Our fountains are specifically designed to control and limit splashing. The collection of Indoor Fountains is designed to resolve splashing, both with the dimensions of the basins and with the course of water flow. Some of the Outdoor Garden Fountains will have some splashing, which works well to provide water to the plants and flowers planted nearby. Splash factors for our Garden Fountains, while more than you will experience with our Indoor Floor Fountains, is still minimal and should not dissuade you from considering one of them for placement in a portico or porch. Tabletop Fountains are especially designed to eliminate splashing since they are likely to be placed on furniture.

Accessibility to Power Source – You will need to be able to plug your fountain in, so when you are deciding where to place it, be sure to consider how you are going to get power to it. Is there an outlet nearby? If not, consider another location. You can also consult an electrician to install an outlet near your desired location. You will need an electrician to assist you in running power to some of the larger Outdoor Fountains which will be placed further away from your home or structure and out in the yard.

Maintenance Requirements – most of our fountains require a minimal amount of maintenance, but some specific materials require certain steps in order to maintain a like-new condition. Many of the lightweight concrete fountains and other outdoor garden fountains will require some steps to winterize them. You can find comprehensive information on our Fountain Care and Maintenance page.

The Best Indoor & Outdoor Fountains at TheWaterFountainStore.com

We offer only the best indoor and outdoor fountains available to purchase. Our selection comprises many different styles and construction materials that give you options for virtually any space and decorating style. Here are some examples of different materials used to create our fountains:

Copper Fountains – these are beautiful and probably best used indoors, although we have a few that can be used outside too.

Stainless Steel Fountains - You will find some of our indoor floor fountains and indoor wall fountains are created with stainless steel. The corrosive resistance properties of these fountains minimize the care required to keep them looking new. Learn what is required to maintain and care for different fountain materials on our Fountain Care and Maintenance page.

Slate Fountains - Slate is a very popular material, as it creates the most natural sound of water flowing over rock. We carry a wide variety of slate fountains, including indoor wall fountains, tabletop fountains and indoor floor fountains. Since slate is a natural material many of them can be used indoors or outside.

Fiberglass Resin Fountains – Many of our tabletop fountains and indoor floor fountains are constructed from lightweight fiberglass resin. These fountains are very portable due to their light weight, and they can last a long time with no degradation of their finish. We also carry a large line of lightweight fiberglass outdoor fountains which are useful if you plan on needing to occasionally move your fountain around for parties or backyard gatherings.

Pottery Fountains - Some of our very unique fountains are created by gifted artists who produce exquisite works of art from pottery. These fountains are very special are best used indoors.

Glazed Ceramic Fountains - these pieces bring vibrant colors and high-quality craftsmanship together in a wonderfully synergistic water feature. Subtle and elegant.

Wood Barrel Fountains - our whiskey barrel fountains are great additions to your garden or patio area. Offered in a natural or red cedar finish, they work well with many less ostentatious decorating styles.

Bamboo Fountains - our vast selection of bamboo fountains brings you a little Japanese influence. Many of our bamboo fountains work great indoors or outside as table top fountains and our bamboo water spouts offer you a unique option for your patio or garden area.

Lightweight Concrete Fountains - who ever heard of lightweight concrete? We have a huge selection of these fountains, many of which are exotic and simply breathtaking. They are produced with Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete, which allows them to better withstand the cold than traditional concrete fountains, and greatly reduces their weight (although they are still significantly heavy). This construction material allows you to place a quite large outdoor fountain onto your deck or patio without compromising the structure. Attempting to place a similar sized concrete fountain on your deck would not end well for your deck your fountain, or you!

Cast Stone Fountains - these include the biggest and heaviest fountains we carry but they come in many sizes and styles so not all of them are huge. Take for instance this cast stone tabletop fountains coming in at 21 lbs. or the Leaf Element Fountain weighing 138 lbs. On the other end of the spectrum is the Beaufort Fountain, tipping the scales at an astounding 3349 lbs! Many of our cast stone fountains should be purchased only when you plan on keeping them in one location for the long haul.

Table Top Fountain Installation

– Our table top fountains are very easy to set up and enjoy. Some of them require a small amount of assembly which can be easily completed by following the included instructions. A number of them do not require any assembly – you simply fill with water, plug in and enjoy. A few of our table top fountains run on batteries so you will just need to fill, install batteries and place in your desired location. These are especially useful for their portability.

Indoor Wall Fountain Installation

– Remember when flat screen TV’s first emerged on the scene? They looked really cool hanging on the wall if they were installed correctly. Back then there were not too many people who knew how to properly install them so some of them looked pretty bad with exposed wires running everywhere. Luckily, today lots of these TV’s have been installed and the methods to do so correctly are perfected. Think of wall fountains like elegant flat screen TV’s. They need to be properly installed in order to have the right effect, but it is not as hard as many think. One thing to consider before preparing to hang your wall fountain is having a local electrician install a GFI electrical outlet positioned behind where the fountain will be mounted. This will ensure a clean look and keep your wires from being exposed. Have your electrician wire the outlet to a wall switch so you can easily turn the fountain off if needed. You can also have a standard electrical outlet installed behind the fountain and have it wired to a separate wall switch so you can control the water and lighting independently. All of our wall fountains come with free shipping so you can save some money to pay your electrician for this project. Some of our BluWorld wall fountains employ a new design that simply involves unpacking the fountain, hanging it up with the included hardware, filling with water and plugging in. Others need a little assembly before hanging up, and you will need another person to help you. Some of the heavier wall fountains even mount like flat screen’s – you have a mounting bracket you fasten to the wall and then simply hang your fountain to the bracket. Typically, you should plan on taking 15 minutes to a couple of hours to complete the project. Most of them will come with the required hardware but some do not, since the manufacturers are not sure what type of material your wall is made of. Virtually any wall surface works well – brick, hardiplank, cinderblock, and sheetrock (mounted to the studs). We will be posting helpful videos soon to show you exactly what is involved with hanging a wall fountain. As always, contact us if you have any questions or if you are unsure about purchasing a indoor wall fountain due to concerns about how you will hang it up.

Indoor Floor Fountain Installation

– Our floor fountains are easy to set up and begin enjoying. Some of them require a small amount of assembly, but you are sure to spend more time determining the perfect spot for your new water feature than you will spend actually setting it up. The same basic rules apply for our indoor floor fountains and our garden fountains - you want to make sure that wherever you place your fountain will not make it prone to being bumped into or damaged by your children or pets. Obviously you want make sure your surface is level to ensure even water flow and distribution. Some of our outdoor floor fountains will require some help getting them to the desired location in your yard or patio area. Since we carry a huge selection of lightweight floor fountains you may choose one that you can easily place where you want with two people. Many of these can also be moved around regularly, depending only on your electrical connections. Delivery of our large, heavier fountains will come via common carrier. They will bring it to your curbside and in some cases lift-gates will be used to lower it to the ground but installation of your new fountain will need to be arranged by you with a local landscape gardener or contractor. Since our larger fountains all cost more than $99, they all come with free shipping. The money saved by purchasing from us will easily pay for someone to help you install your yard’s new focal point.

Indoor fountains – what makes them “indoor”? Indoor fountains come in a variety of styles, including tabletop fountains, wall fountains, floor fountains and more. Indoor fountains typically are powered by electricity, and many include lighting. The wiring of an indoor fountain is usually not UL-approved, meaning it is not moisture-resistant with the proper grounding plugs. Trying to place an indoor fountain outside will quickly result in your wiring failing and your pump and lights no longer working. It would also pose a considerable risk of electrocution. Additionally, indoor fountains are often made with special materials and finishes that are not designed to withstand the harsh weather. They would simply not last long outdoors. Just like furniture companies make outdoor furniture differently to withstand the elements - fountain manufacturers do the same with their products.

Outdoor Fountains – what makes them “outdoor”? Outdoor fountains are specifically designed to withstand the effects of Mother Nature. They often possess sealants or finishes that allow them to resist breaking down from exposure to sun, wind and rain. The wiring is UL-approved, so it has the proper moisture-resistant properties which protect your outdoor fountain pump and lighting from electrical damage due to water exposure. Fountains designed for use outdoors are often created with a certain visual and audible impact in mind. Usually outdoor fountains create a louder water noise than indoor fountains, effective in drowning out unwanted ambient noise from around your home. This design feature often results in a higher splash factor. Splash factor refers to the amount of water that can be expected to splash outside of the fountain basin due to the unpredictable movement of flowing water. In contrast, splash factors are typically lower for indoor fountains, so flooring or surface areas will not be damaged by water. Many of our garden fountains are quite heavy and would not work well in many indoor situations simply due to their weight.

We also welcome you to call 919-650-1537 and leave a message with your question. We will return your call promptly and help answer all of your questions.

Please forward our Water Fountain Buying Guide to anyone you know that is thinking about getting one.