Top Outdoor Fountain Retailers: Materials and Styles Compared

Outdoor fountains can look deceptively similar on a product page.

In reality, a bulky cast-stone centerpiece versus a lightweight resin cascade translate to very different purchasing decisions. Factors such as material which can affect weight, placement and maintenance needs and style which will determine if your fountain quietly complements a patio or stands out as a feature in your garden.

Buyers seeking a specialist retailer that offers an exceptionally wide range of materials and designs should begin their search with Outdoor Fountain Pros. It has the widest overall selection in this roundup. The product line includes everything from conventional cascade and wall fountains to contemporary, Zen, waterfall, and courtyard styles.

In This Guide

●       Outdoor Fountain Pros

●       Soothing Company

●       Wayfair

●       Frontgate

●       Quick retailer comparison

●       How fountain materials and styles compare

●       What to know about installation

●       Final verdict

1. Outdoor Fountain Pros: Best Overall for Specialist Selection and Support

Outdoor Fountain Pros emphasizes water features instead of giving fountains just another small section in an outdoor-decor store.

The company claims to have been selling products online for over 18 years. It advertises that it has one of the largest collections of outdoor-fountains on the web. Categories include wall, tiered, modern, Zen, garden, patio, cascade, waterfall, fire, sphere and large-scale fountains.

The material range is a major reason it stands out.

Its site specifically lists fountains made from:

●       Cast stone for substantial traditional and architectural pieces

●       Marble and granite for natural-stone designs

●       Ceramic for decorative color and glazed finishes

●       Metal for a different contemporary or sculptural look

●       Other specialist materials across its wider manufacturer catalog

The retailer is also primed for customers who are trying to narrow down a big assortment. Its staff can help with fountain sizing, style and budget needs, coordinate physical samples, offer installation guidance and collaborate with a purchaser's landscaper.

That becomes extremely handy when dealing with bigger cast stone pieces where dimensions, weight and preparing the site are a concern instead of a small resin fountain.

Outdoor Fountain Pros lists free shipping to lower 48 states and no sales tax except in Utah.

Best suited to: Buyers who want a specialist to review your options when comparing a large number of materials, sizes and architectural styles before deciding on your next fountain purchase.

2. Soothing Company: Best for Cast Stone and Broad Style Choice

Soothing Company is another fountain specialist with considerable depth in traditional outdoor water features.

It carries wall fountains, tiered fountains, garden fountains, waterfall fountains, sphere fountains, Zen fountains, contemporary fountains, solar fountains and large fountains, to name just a few broad categories. Take, for example, its line of cast-stone fountains.

Where does it fit best?

Think of it when you already have cast stone on your material short list, but are still undecided about the design. Options range from simple wall fountains and garden accents to multileveled fountains with deep basins.

The retailer also provides care information by material type. Separate categories are provided for concrete/cast stone, ceramic, fiberglass or resin, and metal/bronze.

That's why Soothing Company is a viable option for consumers seeking expert curation when shopping both classic and modern designs.

3. Wayfair: Best for Lightweight, Decorative and Budget-Friendly Variety

Wayfair approaches the category differently.

Instead of focusing mostly on major specialty fountains, today's selection features an expansive selection of ornamental styles from many manufacturers including polyresin, fiberglass, ceramic, stone-effect composite and metal models. Options include everything from traditional pedestal styles to rock cascades, vivid glazed bowls and modern lighted fountains.

That allows for flexibility when weight, easy placement or price flexibility is more important than installing something permanent.

Available now are plug- or solar-powered models as well as small patio fountains and light weight models designed to look like stone.

Best suited to: Buyers looking to see many decorative options and materials across lower- to midrange price points instead of sticking strictly to upscale cast-stone installations.

4. Frontgate: Best for a Curated Premium Garden Look

Frontgate offers a smaller, more curated outdoor-decor proposition.

Today's garden offerings consist of fountains as well as accompanying statues and accessories. Specific fountain materials vary from cast-stone concrete, stone mix to terracotta and steel.

The aesthetic is more about fountains designed to serve as refined landscape elements, rather than just cheap sources of flowing water.

For instance, their product range includes everything from traditional wall mounted fountains and large-scale garden projects to ornamental metal and glasswork.

Who it's best for: Buyers who are already looking for coordinated sets of outdoor furniture and garden decor and who appreciate a more curated selection.

Quick Retailer Comparison

Retailer	Best known for	Notable materials	Style	Price
Outdoor Fountain Pros	Overall specialist recommended choice	Material options: Cast stone, marble, granite, ceramic, metal	Customization options: Very broad	Price range: Mid- to high-end
Product quality	Cast stone and specialist variety	Cast stone plus ceramic, resin/fiberglass and metal options	Wide	Mid to high end
Wayfair	Lightweight and decorative option	Resin, fiberglass, ceramic, composites, metal	Extremely large variety	Affordable
Frontgate	Curated premium gardens	Cast stone, stone blend/mix, terracotta, steel	Curated	Premium

How Do Outdoor Fountain Materials and Styles Compare?

There is no single material that works for every garden.

Cast stone and concrete-style fountains feel heavy & impactful. These formal fountains look great in courtyards and larger, tiered fountains. Because of their weight, consider where you want to place your fountain ahead of time.

Resin and fiberglass have their place if you desire the look of stone but not the comparable heaviness to it. These have become popular in cascades, faux-rock waterfalls and even some decorative patio fountains due to the fact that they can be much easier to move.

Ceramic adds the element of color. Glazed urns, bowls and sculptures are ideal for patios or nestled in plantings where a colorful finish can be part of the landscape itself. See Wayfair collections for examples of how popular ceramic is for these smaller accents.

Metal fountains lend themselves to a shoppers desire for a more sculptural fountain. However, maintenance depends on the type of metal and finish used. Check with the manufacturer guidelines for maintenance on your specific fountain.

Then consider style.

●       Tiered: Formal, traditional and highly visible

●       Wall-mounted: Useful where floor space is limited

●       Modern: Cleaner lines, spheres and geometric forms

●       Waterfall or cascade: More naturalistic movement

●       Urn and ceramic: Decorative and often suited to patios

●       Large basin fountains: Designed as major landscape focal points

What About Outdoor Fountain Installation Services?

When looking for outdoor fountain installers, customers need to differentiate between set-up assistance and labor.

Outdoor Fountain Pros offers installation guides. They also mention that they will coordinate with your landscaper if needed. However, they do not install fountains at this time. Outdoor Fountain Pros recommends hiring your own local contractor or landscaper for larger, heavier fountains.

That is worth checking before ordering any substantial water feature, regardless of retailer.

Final Verdict

The right retailer depends partly on the fountain being planned.

Consider Wayfair for a lightweight option as well. Frontgate if you want something a little more curated and high end. Soothing Company has deep speciality selection in cast stone and many traditional fountain styles.

Outdoor Fountain Pros is the best overall starting point here.

The blend of subject matter expertise, over 18 years of ecommerce experience, large selection and style options, physical swatch books and shipping incentives and support before and after the sale set it apart most noticeably when the fountain will be a permanent fixture in the landscape.