Sizing Your Water Fountain
Once you have decided on the type of fountain you desire – wall, floor or tabletop- then your next decision is how large of a fountain you may need. There will be different sizes in each of the fountain categories – make sure you pay close attention to the height, width and depth or diameter of the fountain that has recently attracted your attention. Following is a review of each fountain category and tips in determining the appropriate size.Wall Fountains
Wall fountains can be either vertical or horizontal, so decide where you are going to place the fountain before you make your final fountain decision.
If you have decided on a wall fountain, then you need to measure your available space by looking at the ceiling height & wall length. If you have very high ceilings then you should look at a fountain that is tall vertically. If the wall is long, but has below average ceiling height, then consider a horizontal fountain. You may not want to invest in a tall vertical fountain on a very wide wall, unless you have other ideas of features to be added on the wall beside the fountain.
On the other hand, a horizontal fountain would appear smaller than it actually is if placed in a room with very high ceilings. Small wall hanging fountains work great in areas such as a foyer where the wall space may be limited.
The depth of the wall fountain is also important. This should be reviewed if the item is being used in a narrow walkway where there is a possibility of people brushing up against it. Most wall fountains are only about 5” to 6” in depth and should not pose a problem.
There are several ways for you to measure your wall for a new wall fountain.
- Four Corners Approach
This approach is simple and easy. First get a measuring device to measure out the dimensions of the wall fountain. Then take either post-it notes, thumb tacks, tape or any other item that will stick to a wall and place it on the four corners of your measurements. Back up and see if the size looks good for your space.
- Outline Approach
This is similar to the above but allows you a better view of the size by outlining the fountain size. First do the same as you did in the “four corners approach” but this time you will need either thumb tacks or removable tape. If you choose thumb tacks then place the thumb tacks in four corners of the fountain. Then with a piece of thin string, wrap it around the four corners on the thumb tacks to form an outline. Tie the two ends of the string in a knot. If you choose to use tape then simply connect the four corners with long strips of tape to form an outline. Either way, you will now have a better feel for the size of your new wall fountain.
- Poster Board Cut-Out Approach
As the name implies, this approach requires making a template in the size of your new fountain. This can take some time and possibly expense and should only be done if the “four corners approach” and “Outline Approach” are not sufficient enough. This approach is recommended on new building construction when the wall has not yet been constructed. To do this take one or more pieces of poster board or card board and cut out the dimensions of your fountain. We recommend using a color of board that is different than your wall color. Once you have the template created hang it on the wall with removable tape. You can now write on the board as needed with special instructions for yourself or the person installing your new fountain.
Using one of these four approaches will give you confidence in your choice of wall fountain size.
Table Top Fountain
The diameter is usually the deciding feature in a tabletop fountain; make sure your desk or nightstand will accommodate the diameter of the container and anything else that may be needed in your area.
To measure for this space we recommend reviewing the dimensions of the table top fountain and placing a similar sized object in the location where you desire the new fountain. This will give you a good idea if it will fit with the other objects on that surface. If height is a concern, check the height of the fountain you are reviewing and stack books to that height to verify clearance.
Remember that often tabletop fountain heights are approximate if natural stones are used. Please make sure that you have some extra height just in case the natural elements are a few inches higher than the approximate.
Floor FountainsFloor fountains are similar to tabletop fountain in the fact that the width is the most important measurement. You can measure this area by placing a similar sized object where you are considering placing your fountain.
You can judge the height of the fountain by stacking some boxes up in the location of your new fountain. Consider the surrounding areas when choosing your fountain.
Outdoor Fountains
With an outdoor fountain most people try to get the biggest they can afford as size is typically not as much of an issue. If you are trying to place the fountain in a small area then use some of the same recommendations as choosing a floor fountain above.
The benefits of Water Fountains
Using Water Treatment to protect your fountain
Different types of fountain water sources