Fire Features
Fire Features: cozy warmth and ambiance
Imagine entertaining beside the cozy warmth and ambiance of your outdoor fireplace - by providing a beautiful area for relaxation, outdoor fireplaces and fire pits can take your yard from the ordinary to one that is beyond imagination. Large or small, outdoor fireplaces and fire pits always add interest, functionality, and beauty to your landscape. We have the experience to design and construct the perfect fire feature for you.
Warmth and more warmth
Outdoor fireplaces are great gathering places for friends and family, and they can be a valuable addition to any backyard, deck or outdoor living space. Ultimately, the outdoor fireplace that's right for your home's exterior space will be one that reflects your personality and your goals for fireside fun.
The first consideration when deciding on an outdoor fireplace design is whether your outdoor fireplace will be portable or permanent. Portable outdoor fireplaces obviously provide for virtually unlimited choice in terms of placement in your backyard or on your deck, and they now come in a number of different designs and finishes to suit just about any style of outdoor living space.
On the other hand, a permanent outdoor fireplace can add a real hint of luxury to your backyard or deck. Built-in or permanent outdoor fireplaces tend to require more extensive construction and are therefore generally more expensive than freestanding outdoor fireplaces.
Common materials for freestanding or built-in outdoor fireplaces are stone, stucco, tile and brick. You'll have plenty of designs to choose from, and matching your backyard or deck's overall design shouldn't be a problem. Outdoor fireplaces should always be located away from any potentially flammable items like trees or shrubs, and you should always use a spark guard and flame-resistant fire mat when your fireplace is in use. Also, be sure to check with your local fire department regarding their outdoor fire codes before installing your outdoor fireplace.
Built-In Fireplace
We LOVE building these!
If you're feeling a bit more attached to your outdoor design, a built-in fireplace might fit the bill. Fireplaces create an intimate
hearth feeling and can invite lively (yet civilized!) conversation among a small group of people.
One advantage to built-in fireplaces is that they're protected from the elements - namely wind, which can kick up embers and shift the direction of the smoke - and direct smoke upward and away from your guests' faces. That protection will also make it much easier to light.
As far as materials go, you'll be building out your fireplace in a material that matches or coordinates with the other materials in your outdoor space: brick, stone, marble, tile, you name it. Aesthetically, the sky's the limit. Some are wood fueled, and others are hooked into your home's natural gas line just like any indoor fireplace would be.
Built-in fireplaces definitely offer an extra boost of aesthetic appeal that a free-standing fire pit won't. Installing one will also add value to your outdoor living space if you keep it in top shape; that kind of high-end extension to your indoors makes the patio livable for more months out of the year and adds that high-end je ne sais quoi. (Translation: lots of appeal to potential homebuyers.).
But before you go worrying about what the future owners of your current home will think, just focus on enjoying the bright flame in your backyard, regardless of the season.