Create a calming and relaxing environment right in your backyard with this modern water curtain.
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When I think of deep relaxation, the sound of water immediately comes to mind: crashing ocean waves, the trickle of a nearby brook, a cascading waterfall, light rain — you get the idea.
To bring calming sound to your backyard, I’ve designed this sleek backyard water feature using a simple box for a reservoir, a pump and basic plumbing parts to keep the water flowing. It can be disassembled easily and tucked away for the winter or moved around your patio. I dressed mine up with ipe hardwood and a sheet of copper to wrap the reservoir.
You can take these ideas and build a modified version to fit your favorite place to relax.
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| KEY | QTY. | DIMENSIONS | PART |
| A | 2 | 2×2 x 48″ | Reservoir frame side |
| B | 2 | 2×2 x 9″ | Reservoir frame end |
| C | 1 | 3/4″ x 12″ x 48″ | Reservoir bottom |
| D | 2 | 3/4″ x 12-1/2″ x 48″ | Reservoir side |
| E | 2 | 3/4″ x 12-1/2″ x 13-1/2″ | Reservoir end |
| F | 2 | 1/4″ x 3/4″ x 47-1/2″ | Termination bar |
| G | 2 | 3/4″ x 5″ x 44-9/16″ | Horizontal outer arm |
| H | 2 | 3/4″ x 5 x 30-5/16″ | Vertical outer arm |
| J | 2 | 3/4″ x 2-1/2″ x 40-7/16″ | Horizontal spine |
| K | 2 | 3/4″ x 2-1/2″ x 3′ | Vertical spine |
| L | 2 | 3/4″ x 2-1/2″ x 9″ | Arm support block |
| M | 1 | 3/4″ x 1-1/2″ x 5″ | Fountain arm cap |
| N | 2 | 3/4″ x 2″ x 50″ | Top side trim |
| P | 2 | 3/4″ x 2″ x 14-3/16″ | Top end trim |
| Q | 2 | 3/4″ x 1/4″ x 49-1/2″ | Lower side trim |
| R | 2 | 3/4″ x 1/4″ x 14″ | Lower end trim |
Cut the reservoir frame sides (A) and ends (B) from 2×2 lumber and fasten the bottom piece of marine plywood (C) to form the base. Align the sides (D) with the ends of the base and fasten them to the 2x2s. Fasten the ends (E) to the 2x2s at the bottom with construction screws. Drive trim screws into the edges of the plywood toward the top.
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You’v got two options for lining the reservoir. Flat pond liners, available at home centers, are inexpensive but require some origami to fit properly. I ordered a custom heavy-duty box welded liner from everything-ponds.com that fit the reservoir perfectly. It was more expensive than I liked, but well made, strong and easier to install.
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Rip the termination bar (F) down to 1/4-in., then cut it to fit inside the reservoir. Drill countersunk pilot holes every several inches, then clamp the termination bar and liner to the top of the reservoir and fasten them with one-inch screws. This prevents the liner from sliding down.
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I constructed the water curtain arm from ipe decking. It’s a rot-resistant species that will do well outside for years with little maintenance. You may substitute another rot-resistant or treated lumber if you wish.
At the table saw, rip off the rounded edges of the ipe decking, leaving the boards about five inches wide. Then cut the horizontal (G) and vertical (H) outer arm parts to length with 15 degree angles on the ends. I cut each pair at the same time to ensure they were the same length and angle.
Rip another piece of decking in half for the spine of the arm, and cut two pieces for each of the horizontal (J) and vertical (K) spine parts with the same 15 degree angles. Lay the parts on a flat surface. Glue the pieces together, overlapping the spine.
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