subject: Supplementing Water Features in Balcony Garden [print this page] Balconies are the vital additions to your homes, and those how have one perhaps know the importance of having a balcony in their home. But you have often observed that many people owning a house with having a terrace or balcony don't pay much attention to it. For them balcony is nothing more than a limited space area with no usage. In fact they are unaware of the importance of this short space, which can bring life into the atmosphere of their homes with little effort and planning.
Although, balconies are limited in space and have very less space to think about adding some features to it, still there are number of ways through which you can make your balcony ideal for balcony garden with certain features like lighting, planting, hot tubs or spas and of course water features. Along with all other arrangements, an addition of water feature in your balcony will give it a life and sparkling theme. What is required on your behalf is to take its limitations into consideration carefully and adapt your conception accordingly.
Considering the Weight
The only major problem you come across while supplementing a water feature into your balcony garden is weight. The estimated weight of water excluding container is about 4.5 kg (10 lb) for every 4.5 liters (1 gallon). Remember this is the weight of water only and if we add the weight of container it will increase further, which can be dangerous. However, a small water feature can be helpful in this regard with a head sprouting water into a small bowl fixed to the back wall of the balcony. You can also incorporate a plastic liner faced, small raised pool in the middle of your built in features, usually matching like brick, timber or tiles. An inclusion of water pump can simply give a humble fountain effect in your balcony. On the other hand you can add preformed lightweight fiberglass pool as well.
You can make things even simpler for you by making use of old half barrel or any waterproof plant container, such as plastic trough, glazed terracotta, or stone urn to build a miniature pool for your balcony garden. Make sure that whatever you have selected is big enough to accommodate one or two water lilies, or a small fish or bubble fountain would be ideal.
Moving Water Features
Moving water features, though small in size can also produce a sparkling effect. A water feature operated by an electric pump united with a hidden water reservoir for recycling are best for limited space and more importantly lightweight. Rock, pebbles, metal ball or a wall mounted ornament can be used for cascade. Many free standing water features, such as sculptures, urns and fountains are also available. One thing you need to keep in mind with any sort of water feature is to have a proper size pool or reservoir to avoid splashing or spilling, which can damage to your balcony.
