Water has a way of transforming any space it encounters. Whether it is a backyard or an interior wall in a house, water walls can transform any space by adding depth and sound to the environment while also contributing to the sense of calm that the space can feature. However, choosing the right water feature wall can be overwhelming for a person who is considering buying one.
There are so many different option for people to consider in terms of the material of the wall, the style in which the wall will be formed, and the way in which the water will move within that wall. However, it does not have to be this difficult for a person to make a decision about they’re desired water feature wall. Water walls can be designed in such a way that they mask the noise from traffic passing by the house, they can increase the value of the property in which they are installed, and they can provide a spa-like feeling to any person who looks upon the feature of water within the wall.
There are eight different approach to installing the perfect water feature wall in a persons space. Each approach will be discussed within this article, with an explanation of the strengths of that approach, the trade-offs associated with that approach, and the type of setting in which that approach will be best suited for any desired environment.
Eight Beautiful Water Feature Wall Ideas
1. Polished Granite or Black Basalt Panels
One of the most common option for creating a moddern water wall feature is to use panels made of materials like polished granite or black basalt.
These types of walls allow for water to be poured into the panels in a thin sheet, and the sheet of water will catch the light from the environment and create a layered visual aspect to the water wall. These types of walls are best suited to modern homes with minimalistic design elements and concreate structures. These types of walls are also quiet enough to be placed within small patios, but they do produce a form of white noise that may or may not be desired within a residence.
To install these types of walls, the granite or black basalt panels will need to be placed upon a perfectly level foundation. Additionally, a pump will need to be installed beneath the panels to circulate the water within the wall panels. The cost of these types of panels will be higher than some of the other available options for water walls.
However, the look that they will create is certain to be one that justifies the initial cost of the panels. Additionally, the panels may feature recessed areas for LED lighting so that the wall may glow beneath the thin sheet of water that move within the panels at set intervals. Another common way to form a water wall is to use materials like slate.
2. Slate Stone Walls
These types of walls are formed by setting a series of irregularly shape slates into the structure of the foundation for the water wall feature. Water then cascades over the edges of these slates to create a variety of small waterfalls that contribute to a rich soundscape that is characteristic of a water wall with these types of materials. The color of the slates ranges from deep charcoal colors to rust-colored slates, which provide a unique element of visual interest to the water wall.
These types of walls are forgiving of minor inconsistencies in the leveling of the foundation in which they are built. These types of water walls are often constructed by weekend builders that dont have the precision tools required to level the slates to the ground. Additionally, the slates will need to be sealed every few years to avoid staining.
However, these types of water walls are perfect for areas where hard landscaping elements need to be softened and for areas where young children or pets has an interest in interacting with the wall. A third approach to building water walls is to incorporate plants into the wall. Walls that contain both plants and water allow the plants to grow into the wall such as ferns and mosses, as well as other types of greenery like pothos.
3. Plant Integrated Water Walls
These types of plants help to absorb some of the carbon dioxide in the air, they help to improve the air quality within the space, and they provide a habitat for bird and other beneficial insects that may live within the residence. The trade-off with installing water walls that contain plants is that the water will need to have its chemistry monitored so that the plants and pump within the wall are both healthy. These types of water walls are best used in areas that are shaded so that the plants do not fade within their area of growth.
However, they are not unsuitable for areas that exhibit an abundance of moisture and moisture-loving plant. A fourth approach to building water walls is to use tempered glass panels that are etched with vertical channels within the panels. These channels help to allow water to move in delicate streams within the panels.
4. Etched Tempered Glass Panels
Additionally, the panels are made of tempered glass, which makes the panels transparent and ensures that the water wall does not appear heavily upon installation within even small rooms within the residence. The panels can even be “back-lighted,” meaning that the walls will glow with a soft light after installation within the residence. To install these types of walls, a trough and fan system will need to be built into the wall so that condensation from the water wall does not spread into the residence.
This type of water wall can be installed within even the narrowest of hallways and can help to act as a divider between the areas of the residence. Additionally, the reflective quality of the tempered glass will help to make even the smallest rooms within the residence to appear larger in size, which is a benefit to those who live in apartments or residences within cities. A fifth approach to building water walls is to use a metal such as Corten steel.
5. Corten Steel Walls
This type of metal features rusty tones that deepen over time. These metals are perforated to allow water to emerge from the metal rather than flowing over its top edges. Additionally, the Corten metal naturally develops a patina that protects the metal from further corrosion so that its color last for decades.
These types of water walls are common in both minimalistic and rustic landscapes. The Corten steel can heat up in the sun when exposed to sunlight for long periods of time so the placement of the metal in southern exposures will be important in hot climates. However, the Corten metal will retain heat and radiate warmth into the area during cool evenings so that it can be utilized as an extension of the living space within the residence.
The contrast between the metal and the water is often considered to be addictive to watch. A sixth approach is to use tiles of different colors to form mosaic designs within the water walls. These types of designs are formed by artisans who design the walls with images of koi fish, lotus blossoms, abstract waves, or other designs.
6. Mosaic Design Tiles
The water that flows over the glossy tile designs will make the colors within the designs look deeper and more vibrant within the walls. These types of tiles come in an abundance of hue so the designs can coordinate well with other plants in the garden or other colors in the residence. To maintain these types of walls, the grout lines will need to be sealed every few years to avoid the growth of mildew within the water wall.
These types of designs are perfect for making conversation starter when hosting guests at parties. Additionally, the walls also provide an element of interest for the children who play near the water walls. Another approach is to install troughs made of wood that are mounted onto fences.
7. Wooden Fence Troughs
These troughs can be galvanized or copper in color and will allow water to spill from one level to the next. The wood will naturally weather to a silver-gray color that contrast well with the green of the roses or other plants that may be grown along these fences. These types of troughs are relatively affordable and can be installed in a single weekend by an individual who is interested in building a water wall feature.
These types of troughs are quiet enough to be installed within a bedroom but still provide an effective means of masking the sounds of the neighborhood outside of the residence. A seventh approach is to use large river rocks of different sizes that are placed against a structural wall. Smaller pebbles can be used to fill the gaps between the large rocks.
8. Large River Rock Walls
Water emerges from a hidden pipe that is placed at the top of the rocks and disappears into a gravel-filled basin that is placed beneath the wall. This design creates the illusion of an underground river. These types of water walls are often randomly placed into the garden so that each view of the rocks from different points in the garden is different.
This design element often blends well into existing gardens since the materials are naturaly occurring elements of the ecosystem in which they are constructed. Additionally, the wall can also help to act as a drainage system for the residence. However, the loose placement of the smaller stones will shift over time so they may need to be reset from time to time.
Finally, one of the most common designs for water walls is to install a single sculptural spout onto an existing garden wall. These types of spouts may be made of bronze or ceramic and will have water that falls from the spout onto a stone basin of the same color as the wall. These types of features are common at the end of a walking path into the garden or beside a seating area for observers.
9. Single Sculptural Spouts
Since the water falls over a certain distance into the basin, the sound from these types of features will travel farther than the sheet water designs for walls. They may be set to any rate from a very slow trickle to a splash created at the end of the spout. However, the placement of the water feature must account for the radius of the splash so that it does not fall onto walkways or onto other furniture in the residence.
Regardless of which design is chosen for the water wall, the feature should be considered as part of the composition of the residence as a whole. For example, individuals should consider the lines of sight from the interior of the residence, the movement of the breezes in the residence, and how the water feature will look when it is turned off. A water wall that is natural and suitable for use on a typical Tuesday in February will be one that is still loved and enjoyed years later.
There are a few factor that should be considered before purchasing a water wall. For instance, the size of the space in which the wall will be installed is one factor. Additionally, how much time you want to dedicate to maintaining the structure of the wall is another factor.
The type of atmosphere you wish to create is a third factor. Once these factors are considered, the type of materials and the form that the wall takes can be determined. Once the first drop of water begins to fall from the wall you have constructed, the wall will stop being an addition to your structure and it will become the heartbeat of your home.
