Enhanced landscaping improves property value, and water features make your property stand out from the rest. A fountain in the front yard provides curb appeal, while a backyard pond increases a home’s value much like a deck or patio. The sound of a water feature drowns out noise from traffic or neighbors. In addition, water features provide an appealing backdrop for entertaining. Waterfront property is a prized commodity and you can easily incorporate water into your landscape without having to move near a lake or ocean.
Nearly 20% of buyers say they consider landscaping to be a ‘very important’ factor in their decision to buy a house, according to a new study by the National Association of Realtors.” — Wall Street Journal. Selling Houses by the Yard. August 17, 2007
Enjoy Quality Family Time
Backyard ponds create a gathering spot for family and friends. Water features act like a magnet pulling family members of all ages together. Enjoy meals outside near the pond and spend the evening unwinding with your loved ones. Educate young children on the wonders of nature with an ecosystem pond. All ages love watching the fish glide underneath lily pads, and enjoy the surprise afforded by a frog poking its head above the surface of the water.
Improve Health and Wellness
Water features provide soothing sights and sounds that help you relax and de-stress in today’s busy world. Lower your blood pressure and improve your physical and mental health as you prop your feet up and enjoy the therapeutic effects of Mother Nature.
Hospital patients who have a view of natural landscapes recover faster from surgery and require less pain medication. In addition, heart rate, blood pressure, and other measures return to normal levels more quickly when people view natural rather than urban landscapes after a stressful experience.” — The Sustainable Sites Initiative. Standards & Guidelines: Preliminary Report. November 1, 2007
Environmental Conservation
Environmental sustainability has taken center stage in today’s world, and water plays an important role. A pond is self-sustaining and while it takes many gallons of water to fill initially, over the long haul it requires less water than the expanse of lawn it replaced.
Landscaping can change the microclimate around a building by 20 – 25 degrees F. According to the US Department of Energy, energy-efficient landscaping can save up to 30% on home heating bills. Savings for cooling can be even more. Tests in Florida showed a 50% reduction in air conditioning costs. Most people can save at least a few hundred dollars a year by properly reworking their yard… Water also tempers heat. Even a small pond can help.” http://www.epa.gov/greenkit/landscap.htm
Water features attract wildlife of all kinds, from birds to butterflies, to frogs and salamanders. Certified wildlife habitats are growing in popularity, and water is one of the elements required to achieve certification.
The benefits of owning a water feature are numerous. Whether you opt for an ecosystem pond with fish and plants, a waterfall and stream, a fountain or bubbling urn, or even a container water garden or two, you’ll find newfound pleasure in your outdoor surroundings.
Contact MPR Supply Company to learn more at 314-426-4838, visit www.mprsupply.com, or stop by at 2541 Link Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63114.