I have wanted a fountain on our front porch for quite awhile. The front door is right off the family room. It would be so nice to be able to leave the door open, with the screen only and listen to the water sounds. Since I had a ton of tile samples from my curated tile line I launched with Tile Club earlier this year, I got an idea!
Let me show you how I took one tile sample and made a wall fountain from it!
Supplies Needed
- Tile sample (2′ x 4′)
- (1) 2x8x8
- (1) 3/4″ plywood piece for base
- grout
- (1) 2x4x8
- Loctite Power Grab
- Water Pump
- (1) 1x4x10
- 120 grit sandpaper
- Brad Nailer
- Drill
- Driver
- Titebond Wood glue
- Rustoleum Spray Paint Chestnut Brown
- Flexseal
- Black Plastic
- Quad Max
- Water Pipe Connections ( I used an 18″ pipe with PVC connections)
- Faux Greenery (optional)
Table of Contents
Step 1 - Assemble the base
First you will need to build your base. I was trying to do this entire proect from scraps and things I had already. So I took scrap 2×8 wood and cut my front, back (28″) and side pieces (10″). All were cut with mitered edges. I also took a 3/4″ plywood piece I had left over to use as the base (9″x27″). I made this slightly smaller then the assembled box to create a more modern look.
Use wood glue and 3″ screws to secure the 2×8 pieces, creating a box. After secure the 3/4″ base centered on the bottom using wood glue and brad nails. Silicone caulk all of the inner seams for a water tight seal.
Step 2 - Grout
Next you should cover the entire base in either a grout or cement covering. I did this to cover and protect the wood, along with giving it a more textured look. I also used Flexseal spray and coated the entire inside for an extra layer of waterproofing.
Once dry, Use 120 grit sand paper either with an orbital sander or with a sanding block to knock down excess. The goal is not to get a perfect smooth finish but to soften the rough edges. Having the remaining texture will give it more of a “wood” like look.
Step 3 - Fountain Tile Back Support
Next I cut out 2×4 supports and added pocket holes to one side of them all. I was using scrap wood which is why my supports are all different lengths but as long as you have them 24″-36″ tall you should be okay! Secure them to the base, evenly spaced using wood glue and 2.5″ pocket screws.
Step 4 - Secure the Tile
Once the back supports have a little time for the glue to cure, add Loctite Power Grab to all three back supports along with the back side of the fountain base. Secure the tile so that the bottom is all the way to the base and evenly spaced between the sides. This adhesive is SUPER strong and once down, very hard to move, hence the name “power grab”! Once in place let sit overnight, I added 45lb weights to keep pressure.
Step 5 - Construct the Sides & Top
Take 1×4 wood pieces and cut two 41.5″ tall and two 25″ long. Secure the two longer pieces to a short one creating a “U” and attach the last short piece across the front top. See pictures below.
Once constructed cover the entire piece with the same grout mixture so that it looks like one piece. San the same as you did the base with 120 grit.
Add a pocket hole to the back portion of the sides of each of the longer pieces at the bottoms. This will attach it to the base. I also added a 23 5/8″ 2×4 support at the top to secure it from moving forward. This will also act as a ledge for the pipe that will let the water out.
Step 7 - Paint & Plastic
I really wanted a wood color for the frame. I used Rustoleum 5-in-1 spray color Chestnut Brown and it turned out great! It really brought out the texture and made it look like one unit.
Next just to be extra cautious, I bought a couple feet (sold by foot) black plastic tarp. Secured it with quad max around the entire perimeter. This acted (well, is) like a silicone adhesive that ensured the water would fall back in the basin where the pump was placed.
Step 8 - Water Pump
Talk about some trial and error! The picture below is what I landed on after trying quite a few others thoughts first. My first attempt was cutting a small slit in a PVC pipe to let it run out, but it didn’t run evenly. Next I drilled too many holes in the pipe letting water only reach midway. This last attempt I got a 1/2″ pipe, 18″ long and used the smallest drill bit I could find which was a 1/16″ and tried to angle them slightly. I also didn’t drill that many holes. Approximately 1 hole every 2-3″ which gave me 8 total. I then added an elbow piece, extension and flex tube that allowed it to bend downwards without kinking the plastic tubing that came with the water pump.
Finishing Touches!
I am going for a biophilic refresh on my front porch and this is the start. I wanted to add some greenery, faux because my thumbs are black! I also used some at the base to disguise the water pump.
Turned it on and it is such a cool addition to our front porch! Now I need to replace the front door that sits to the right of it! On to the next project!
My only expense was the plastic tarp, so total cost was 99 cents for me! This is crazy but also understandable given I do projects all the time and have tons of stuff left over from other projects.
