If you’ve seen a single episode of anything on HGTV, you know all about curb appeal. It’s your home’s version of a first impression, and your landscaping is a powerful part of it.

In fact, some experts estimate that landscaping can add up to 20% of value to your home. Even if you aren’t planning to sell your home any time soon, the added value is always welcome.

If you’re looking for the perfect focal point for your outdoor space, look no further than a granite fountain. Granite fountains are great choices for any climate, and here’s why.

The Benefits of Granite Fountains

There are plenty of material options for fountains, so why choose granite? Here are the benefits you need to know about:

Durability

A fountain is an investment you want to last for a long time. Granite nails the longevity criteria because it will last for generations with very little care. As a hard stone, granite is difficult to chip or break.

High-End Look and Value

Granite is a great way to add a touch of luxury to the inside and outside of a home. It’s known as a high-end stone on a similar level to marble. However, granite is the more durable option.

Weather-Proof (Or Close To It)

Just because someone sells an outdoor fountain made with a certain material doesn’t mean that material will stand up to the elements. Cast stone, limestone, travertine, marble, and Cantera stone are much softer, more porous stones. If left uncovered in freezing weather, these types of stones will degrade and crack over time.

Depending on how many times they freeze and thaw over the course of a season, some porous fountains will not even last a year if left outside and unprotected from the elements. Granite, on the other hand, is far more durable against changing weather. It maintains its strength over time, and it will always look brand new.

In addition, granite is not affected by caustic water or water conditioning treatments. More porous stones can start to wear away and crack simply from the solutions you need to use to keep algae from making your fountain green.

Aesthetic That Matches Any Season

Most people buy their fountains during the spring and summer. This is deceptive because almost anything will look great on a bright, sunny day. In gray winter weather though, an uncovered cast stone fountain looks downright dreary. Considering that you have to cover it with a bulky and unsightly cover or tarp to protect it from the weather, the visual look is even worse.

Unlike other stones, granite looks great in any season. It has a wonderful way of glinting in the sun, with a mischievously beautiful form that peeks in and out from under the snow as it melts.

Considering that a granite fountain never needs to be covered in winter, you can also enjoy its pleasing carved stone shape all year round. The only thing you need to remember is to drain your fountain each fall and pull all plugs out of the pool or tiers. This prevents the water from freezing inside of it over the winter because even one inch of water freezing in an enclosed space is intensely strong and can break even the hardest of materials.

Easy Maintenance

The last thing you want is a fountain that takes up all your time to maintain. Many fountain materials don’t react well to cleaning materials, which means they need quite a bit of elbow grease to keep them clean.

Granite holds its own against cleaning chemicals. You can use bleach, a solution of muriatic acid or ferrous acid, and other cleaners to maintain your fountain and help it keep its luster without scrubbing it every week.

If your fountain gets a dull look with a white scum, this comes from calcium in your water or from the chlorine treatments you use to keep the green out. You can address this by spraying on a 50/50 solution of muriatic acid and water, which takes off that scum like magic with no effort at all. Be careful to protect your skin and eyes, though, as the mixture is quite caustic. After this, just rinse the fountain liberally with water and fill it back up to see it looking brand new again.

Color Selection

Fountains aren’t one-size-fits-all. You need a style and a color that fits your home’s aesthetic. Part of the beauty of granite is that it comes in countless colors and varieties. You can have your pick of great fountains that accent your house’s appeal.

Choosing the Perfect Fountain for Your Home

A fountain is a fast way to add value to your home and create a high-end look. Of course, that’s only true if you find the right fountain to perpetuate your chosen style. Narrowing it down to granite is a great way to start.

To find the perfect granite fountains for your home, shop for fountains online in our digital store.