Fountain Materials: How to choose what's right for you

Water fountains are made of quite a wide variety of different materials. When you browse an online fountain retailer's website or the selection at a local retail store, you may wonder what the difference is between various materials and which one is the best fit for your needs. Various qualities of different materials include durability, cost, aesthetics, weight, and how the material looks as it ages. We've created this list of the most common fountain materials with explanations on the pros and cons of each, so you can make an educated decision about your fountain purchase.

Copper - This beautiful, naturally warm and bright metal is a great choice for those who seek a homey, cozy, upscale feel for the area where the fountain will be placed. Copper fountains generally come in three different finishes - completely natural, with no decorative finishes or protective coats; clear-coated (also called powder coated), and flame-finished, in which a special heating process brings out natural colors within the copper. Natural copper will oxidize over time into a stunning verdigris patina; some people love this natural aging process, while others prefer for the copper to stay new-looking. The clear coat applied to copper prolongs the initial shiny new look. Flame-finished copper is usually clear coated as well. (Copper Radius Wall Fountain pictured).

Slate - The natural variety of colors in natural slate is a big draw for anyone looking to give their home or business an earthy, organic feel. It can also be very contemporary when paired with stainless steel. Thick slabs of natural slate are gorgeous, but when used in wall fountains, span wall surfaces are required for support. If you want the look of a slate fountain without the heavy weight and extra cost, look for 'lightweight slate' - it's a thin veneer of natural slate with a synthetic backing. Lightweight slate fountains can be just as beautiful as traditional slate fountains - check out the Double Nojoqui Lightweight Slate wall fountain pictured right.

Stainless Steel - Sleek, clean lines and eye-catching reflections draw many people to choose stainless steel over any other material. It fits seamlessly into a wide variety of design styles, from traditional to ultra modern. Stainless steel looks especially stunning paired with slate, black stone or glass. Stainless steel fountains are easy to care for, long lasting, highly versatile, and look at home even in formal settings. It can be expensive - however, to most people, the cost is well worth it. (Valentino Wall Fountain pictured).

Stone - Natural stone comes in a wide variety of textures and colors. The type of stone most frequently used in fountains is granite, which lasts virtually forever and has a highly desirable organic look. Sometimes stone is highly polished to a nearly mirror-like finish, while in other fountains it is left to appear as natural as possible. Stone fountains are an excellent investment, because they age beautifully and can become heirloom pieces. They do tend to be very heavy, and care must be taken with outdoor stone fountains during the winter to prevent cracks. When properly maintained, stone fountains can be enjoyed for generations. (Natural Waterwall Fountain pictured).

Ceramic - Earthenware fountains have a delicate, hand made feel enhanced by the application of colored glazes. The beautiful combination of clay and colored glaze, whether vibrant or subtle, lends an air of quiet tranquility to any space. Ceramic is most often used in tabletop fountains and garden fountains. Ceramic fountains look great in traditional, contemporary, European and Asian style decor. Ceramic is generally lightweight and low in cost, so it's a great option for anyone who wants to add the relaxing benefits of a water fountain to their indoor or outdoor space. (Corinthia Tabletop Fountain pictured).

Glass - No other material highlights the beauty of flowing water quite like glass. Water seems to come alive as light is reflected between it and the glass; it shimmers and glows in the rays of the sun or when fountain lighting is used to softly illuminate it. Glass fountains are generally either wall hanging or free standing floor styles. It's typically paired with stainless steel or acrylic. Glass fountains sometimes have a design etched on the face, giving it a little extra personality and making the fountain feel like a work of art as well as a practical addition to your indoor or outdoor living space. (Gardenfall Etched Elm Fountain pictured).

Acrylic - This span, lightweight material is used in a variety of different ways for fountain applications. For example, an entire fountain may be made out of acrylic, like the Aqua Fall Wave Fountain, or an acrylic facing can be used in combination with a copper frame as in the hand-painted Harvey Gallery fountains (Vineyard Fountain pictured right). Acrylic is often used in place of glass as an unbreakable but similar looking alternative.

Fiberglass - The term 'fiberglass' as used to describe fountain materials refers to polymer reinforced with extremely fine fibers of glass, resulting in an exceptionally durable and flexible material. It's a popular material for outdoor fountains in particular, because it's able to withstand even the harshest weather conditions without cracking. The light weight of fiberglass makes it easy to move your fountain around your yard as you wish, and take it with you when you move without having to pay movers to do heavy lifting. It's also very economical, and bears a close resemblance to natural stone. (Oriental Tiki Torch Fountain pictured). You can find fiberglass fountains in the 'Other Materials' Garden Fountains category at KineticFountains.com.

Cast Stone - Similar in appearance to natural stone, cast stone is a highly reinforced architectural precast building stone made from fine and coarse aggregates such as limestone, marble, granite, quartz, natural sand, Portland cement and mineral oxide coloring pigments. Cast stone is superior to concrete because it doesn't contain the coarse, dark aggregates that can mar the beauty of a concrete fountain. It ages beautifully, just like natural stone, but costs considerably less. Cast stone is generally used in garden fountains like the Alhambra Garden Fountain pictured at right. It can be stained any color and has a traditional, old world feel.

Resin - The least expensive and most versatile of all fountain materials, resin is used in nearly every type of fountain from tabletop to large garden styles. It's extremely durable, lightweight, and molds to any desired shape. It's able to pick up the tiniest of details in casting molds, creating beautiful finished products that often resemble stone, slate, copper and other natural materials. Resin fountains can be found in the 'Other Materials Tabletop Fountains', 'Other Materials Wall Fountains', 'Other Materials Floor Fountains' and 'Other Materials Garden Fountains' categories at Kinetic Fountains. (European Lion Fountain pictured).