Stone Outdoor Fireplace Articles

Outdoor living areas become the most populated spots in a home during warmer months. Whether you spend afternoons reading pool-side or dinner times relaxing on the patio with good friends, spending as much time as possible outside in the fresh air is a priority for many home owners. As the days become far too cool for staying long outside, though, it's with much unwillingness that home owners return indoors for the long winter. Luckily, the season for enjoying those exterior living areas can be extended significantly with the use of an outdoor fireplace. Outdoor fireplaces come in a variety of types, including traditional outdoor fireplaces, chimineas, fire pits, and fire bowls. Choosing the best available option can sometimes feel daunting, though, but knowing more about each option can help in your decision.

For the most part, traditional outdoor fireplaces look similar to fireplaces you might see on the inside of a home. Many traditional outdoor fireplaces are rectangular in shape and feature a mesh metal door which swings open to allow easy access, and swings closed to keep sparks from flying out of the fire. Traditional outdoor fireplaces are not bland in their design, though. Whether your preferred style is one of clean lines or of romantically ornate decor, there is an outdoor fireplace to match that preference. In addition, most outdoor fireplaces provide you with 360 degree warmth, which creates an inviting space large enough to entertain multiple guests on chilly evenings.

A more utilitarian style of traditional outdoor fireplace is available, too, which suits many families' needs while at home or while on camping or other outdoor vacations. These outdoor fireplaces boast a round body and sturdy, often tubular metal legs. Some models of this kind of outdoor fireplace have two wheels which make it possible to move them easily. This more utilitarian of outdoor fireplaces provides the basic features without unnecessary embellishments.

A different kind of outdoor fireplace is the chiminea. Chimineas were originally developed in Mexico as a means for heating the home and cooking food. The design of the chiminea, which reminds one of a pot belly stove with a round, mostly enclosed firebox and tall stack, allows fires to light quickly and burn longer than in a traditional outdoor fireplace, which has an open firebox. Additionally, the design of chimineas keeps the rain from putting out a fire. Chimineas were traditionally constructed of clay or terra cotta, but for greater resilience and performance in cold climates, the preferred material for backyard chimineas is heavy duty metal, such as cast iron or cast aluminum. In cold temperatures and harsh weather conditions, clay or terra cotta chimineas tend to flake, crack, or crumble. Metal chimineas are beautifully designed and easily become the decorative focal point in any elegant outdoor living space. Chimineas are outdoor fireplaces with true personality and flair.

Fire bowls and fire pits are yet another type of outdoor fireplace available. Fire bowls and fire pits are usually smaller than traditional outdoor fireplaces, and the depth of the bowl or pit varies greatly. Larger capacity fire bowls or fire pits will hold more firewood and provide more warmth for those surrounding them. Fire bowls and fire pits can also be found in a wider variety of styles than traditional outdoor fireplaces. For example, materials used to construct fire bowls and fire pits range from durable and appealing metals like aged bronze, copper, or stainless steel to stone such as slate, marble, or granite. In addition, some fire bowls and fire pits are trimmed with attractive details like ceramic tile, metal scroll work, or outdoor motifs. Fire bowls and fire pits are versatile, too. Some fire bowls and fire pits can double as a grill for cooking out, and some can be found at the center of an outdoor dining table or patio table, making romantic dinners and private conversations all the more appealing. Many fire bowls and fire pits come with a mesh spark arrestor to help prevent embers from jumping out of the flames.

Selecting the best outdoor fireplace to match your style and needs may seem like a daunting task, but it is important to know that outdoor fireplaces are not a good fit for every backyard living area. Before selecting from the many outdoor fireplaces, chimineas, fire bowls, or fire pits, be sure that one can be used safely in your home's exterior living area. For example, many outdoor fireplaces cannot be used on or near wood decks or other wooden structures. While some of the portable traditional outdoor fireplaces can be taken into grassy areas and campgrounds, an ideal location for most of the outdoor fireplaces presented in this article would be a stone, brick, dirt, or concrete surface.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/accessories-articles/stay-warm-on-cold-winter-days-with-outdoor-fireplaces-chimineas-fire-bowls-and-fire-pits-1348114.html

Trey Collier is owner of BackyardCity.com - Where North America shops for Outdoor Living essentials, including high quality Outdoor Fireplaces for staying warm outside.

Today, yards are not just seen as mere outdoor areas but an extension of a house's living space as well. This is the very reason why a lot of people are now investing in landscaping and beautifying their yards. And one of the newest emerging trends today is the use of an outdoor fire bowl. A fire bowl will not only make you and your guests feel comfortable outdoors but they can also make your yards look extra charming and inviting as well.

An outdoor fire bowl actually looks very much the same as the indoor fire bowls. It also possesses a flue which will ensure the right flow of air from the front of the fireplace up to the chimney. And just like the indoor fireplaces, the outdoor models are permanent fixtures as well so always take time to decide where you want to have that piece installed. Once you start the construction, then you can never move it anywhere else.

For the installation and the design of the outdoor fire bowl, it is highly recommended that you get professional help. However, if you are a DIY person, then you can get the ready made kits to ensure proper installation and safety.

There are actually different types of outdoor fireplaces and each type can create different and unique looks in your yard. One of the oldest kinds is those that are made out of clay. Clay fireplaces originated all the way from Mexico. The real authentic ones are a bit expensive but they are very beautiful as well. They can give your yard that old, rustic feel and you can even turn it into your yard's centerpiece.

For those who want the more modern pieces, then you can get yourself the metal fireplaces. Metal fireplaces can last longer than the clay pieces. Aside from that, fire pits can also vary in shape and size, too. They can either be dug up the ground or they can be raised and free-standing.

You actually have two options for the fire: the gas-powered fireplaces and the wood. Gas powered fireplaces may require you to have safe gas lines (usually buried down in the ground) which is done at a huge cost. Wood on the other hand, is the most affordable option because all you need to have is enough fire-wood to fuel the fire. This setting will give you a more authentic outdoor fire bowl feel. The only disadvantages to wood powered fireplaces are the smell and the smoke which can be quite a bother when they are blown against you by wind.

But before you start looking for people to install your <a href="http://www.grillandfireplaceessentials.com/">outdoor fire bowl</a> or your DIY kit, there is one other important thing you need to know. Not all yards can be installed with outdoor fireplaces. Some states and localities may require permits so make sure that you check out the requirements first before anything else. Some local laws may limit the choices that you can get in terms of the size, fuel type and even the style of your fireplace.

So if you have done all these prerequisites, then go and shop away. With an outdoor fireplace, you will surely fall in love with your yard even more.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/make-beautiful-yards-with-an-outdoor-fire-bowl-4781513.html

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When it comes to the backyard I want to find various ways in which I can spruce it up. Having a ton of land at my disposal and nothing in it is so dull and it makes it hard for me to want to go out into it. Sure it is great that my kids have a great deal of space to run around in - but what am I able to do to make it more fun for me?

That is when I had the bright idea to construct an outdoor fireplace on the border of my terrace. The patio is very large when compared to most other homes. Yet, I have not built anything on top of it. This is mainly because, until now, I never understood what I could do with it.

The best thing about making an outdoor fireplace is that it is great to transform something dull and lifeless and to give it a rustic or even elegant look to it. It could be either large or small depending on the amount of room you have available to use. You can even work to make it the base of the patio and have cozy lounges and chairs set up around it.

Another advantage to this is the ability it gives you to savor the fresh air no matter what time of year it is. During the winter and fall months when the snow is settled on the ground you can light the fire and enjoy the warmth that comes from it. This makes it a perfect place to roast marshmallows and for you and your husband to have some quiet time to yourselves.

The most difficult part is understanding what materials you want to be using when you bring it all together. In the end I decided to build an outdoor stone fireplace. Stone is a little costly - but it is simple to work with and looks great. It is also something that can be cleaned very quickly and lasts well when utilized outside.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/reasons-to-have-outdoor-fireplaces-3558642.html

Outdoor Stone Fireplaces are a great thing to add to any patio or terrace. Learn what advantages it has and how to Design it.

Were you enamoured by the presence of some lovely traditional fireplace mantels at a place that you had to visit recently? Do you feel you should have known about the spectacular ambience that these spectacular fireplace designs and a corresponding fireplace mantel design jointly bring to your home? Ask yourself to know How prepared you are to manage the expenses that fitting these mantels would cost you? I know you would be a touch apprehensive about your original idea as I bring in the effect of a factor called price. But you need not bother much. Cast stone fireplace mantels are lovely substitutes of all those expensive fireplace mantels such as limestone fireplace mantels, Rustic fireplace mantels, decorative fireplace mantel, antique fireplace mantel, so on and so forth.

Before you choose a supplier to buy these cast stone fireplace mantels, you need to know a few elementary things about cast stone and what it brings along in these fireplace mantels. Only when you know it, you would be able to compare and contrast the factors that determine your purchase. So, without any further delay we shall dive into it straight.

Cast stone is generally made use of in buildings which need a polished look on its outer surface so they look like they were made of a costly stone. A lot of interesting elements surround its production. In general, this is made by forming a proportionate blend out of a number of materials such as sand, limestone, a bonding agent and a few other additives to form a liquid paste with extreme thickness. This liquid mixture is then poured into a mold that is designed earlier. This pre-formed mold is structured as per customer requirements.

Now that you know how this is made, you should spend a while knowing its advantages as well. The cost factor is very heartening in this case. Unlike the expensive mantels, cast stone fireplace mantel doesn't necessarily burn a hole in your pocket.  This bears on the fact that the flexibility of the cast stone mold to take any shape or size doesn't contribute much to the wastages involved as in the case of limestone and other costly materials. In addition, the speed in which the process happens also cuts down the costs even more.

Do you think you should not compromise between the lack of a particular style of pre-designed cast stone fireplace mantels to befit your preference and the soaring cost of a limestone fireplace mantel? If you think so, you should go for a custom made piece. You can find great designs and go for one that you hanker after. At an affordable cost.  If you think you can afford more than what it generally costs, you can ask the supplier to let you choose a piece that is one of its kinds.

So why do you think you have to wait more? Don't delay your purchase and make your mind to go for a fantastic cast stone fireplace mantel. You will never repent for it when you start using it.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/cast-stone-fireplace-mantel-do-you-know-why-you-should-buy-it-4316052.html

The author has worked on many interior design projects in or near Los Angeles metro area. Author has designed specificaly several dozens of fireplace mantels to fit the overall design of the house.

http://www.fireplacemantelsllc.com

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