How to choose a garden fountain: sink, tap and material

A garden fountain or sink is chosen according to where it will be placed and how the water comes out. For a courtyard or a residential garden, a drinking fountain or a reconstituted stone sink with a brass tap is enough; for a public space you need a robust model with a 1/2" or 1" connection and a drain planned in at installation. Weight matters: in the collection the reconstituted stone pieces reach 60-100 kg and must be set on a flat, solid base.

The types

• Garden drinking fountains: a column or wall fountain with a single water point. For example the wall fountain Verdelook.
• Garden sinks and basins: a basin with a tap for washing tools, vegetables and buckets. They are made of reconstituted stone or concrete, with a drain grid.
• Water points and drinking troughs: models with a larger basin, for communal areas and public spaces.
• Basins and vases: for example the reconstituted stone vase Hawaii Bonfante, to dress the area around the fountain.
• Garden taps: lever or screw-down, such as the Grifone lever tap (0205) Bonfante and the Grifone screw-down tap with domed escutcheon (0206).
• Kits and spare parts: tap kits, fixing kits for the brackets, valves with hose connector, grids, bases and decorative friezes. For example the Tavolozza series tap kit (2009) and the hose connector.

How to choose by job

Before choosing the model, note down three things: where the water pipe comes in, where you can run the drain and how much space you have around it. These are the facts that decide whether a wall fountain, a sink or a drinking fountain is the solution that really works.

The features to look at

• Material: reconstituted stone for the fountains and sinks; brass, chrome-plated brass, stainless steel or galvanised steel for taps and accessories. Brass is the traditional material for garden taps.
• Finish and colour: washed, bush-hammered, rock-effect, painted, bronzed; colours such as grey, tufa, tobacco, white or marble pattern. Choose to suit the stonework and walls nearby.
• Dimensions: in the collection you will find small pieces, such as taps a few centimetres long, and fountains over a metre high (for example 113 cm). Measure the available space and the depth.
• Weight: from under 1 kg for taps to 60-100 kg for fountains. You need a base that can support it.
• Connection: 1/2" male (threaded) or 1". Check that it matches the pipe you have in the garden.
• Tap: cold water or hot and cold water.

Common mistakes

• Choosing without planning the drain: a sink without a drainage chamber or soakaway leaves the water standing.
• Installing on an uneven base: a 60-100 kg piece on a crooked base cracks or tilts.
• Forgetting the connection: the fountain has a threaded inlet of a specific size; not every tap will fit.
• Not draining it in winter: where it freezes, shut off the water upstream and drain the pipe and tap.
• Choosing on looks alone without checking material and finish: a painted or bronzed finish needs more care over time than bare stone.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a plumber to install a garden sink?

You need to prepare the water supply and the drain. Then you fit the tap and grid, seal the connections and check there are no leaks.

Can I add a second tap?

Yes, the collection includes second tap kits and fixing kits for the brackets.

What is reconstituted stone?

It is a material made from cement and aggregates, cast in a mould: it allows shapes and finishes that imitate natural stone.

Can I connect a flexible hose?

Yes, with a valve and a hose connector, like the one in the catalogue.

To see models, taps and spare parts, go to the Fountains and Outdoor Sinks collection; for a quote or advice on installation, write to the AMES technicians.