Fireplaces are becoming as important to outdoor spaces as they are to indoor ones. They extend the season in northern climates and take the chill off when the southern sun goes down. But while an indoor fireplace can make a room, an outdoor fireplace needs a room-an outdoor room-where people can gather to enjoy its primal glow. Even when the airs a little nippy, a fire in the big stone fireplace will take the chill off so the owners can enjoy their wooded acreage.
There are many types of outdoor fireplaces to choose from:
Portable outdoor fireplace: To make it more accessible for people to take their outdoor fireplace with them: camping, the beach, summer cabin, tail gate parties and so on many outdoor fireplace models, especially fire pits, are
designed to be lightweight. They include features such as lids and tires for convenient transport. Another reason to purchase a portable fireplace is that if you prefer to store the unit during winter. You will have no problem tucking
a unit such as this inside your home. The good news is that you will find many lightweight outdoor pits and fireplaces available. Portable outdoor fireplaces may also include features such as gas or wood burning options, grill attachments, spark screens, lids, wheels and can come in many different materials: copper, steel and aluminum.
Permanent outdoor fireplace: By far the most permanent outside fireplace is the cast iron chiminea. This is an excellent outdoor fireplace choice when a sturdy year round outdoor fireplace presence is desired, such as permanent architecture around the patio or pool area. However, as with metals in general, other than aluminum, iron is prone to rusting over its lifetime but maintaining with special paint from time to time and covering with a chiminea cover will help. Another choice for permanence includes the cast aluminum chiminea. While not nearly as heavy as cast iron, these outdoor fireplaces will definitely add a sense of year round presence, if desired. One thing to note, metal can get
dangerously hot when the fires burning. Its best to supervise young children when the fireplace is in use. You can also use your chiminea for grilling and the outdoor fire as a source of heating.
Designer outdoor fireplaces: If you desire a fireplace that looks like an outdoor art work or furniture when not in use, consider fire pits made from copper or the slick contemporary look of steel. Copper fire pits are very popular. If you prefer the lustrous shine of new copper you can maintain this effect with the right products. Some copper pits include an area to store wood
logs beneath them which is very attractive as well. Another option, but certainly more expensive, are some of the fine furniture looking gas fireplaces such as the Luminarium. You can choose between several different finish options and some of these pieces look as if they belong inside the home.
Gas modeled outdoor fireplaces and fire pits: They are an excellent choice where a clean burning fire is desired. With gas, either natural or propane, burning more cleanly than wood, you will not have to deal with smoke, sparks, cleaning up ashes or gathering wood logs. Another benefit: you can create an instant fire with the click of a button and enjoy a faux wood fire any time of
year. This is very appealing to many folks, especially where convenience and low maintenance pits and hearths are valued. Some gas outdoor fire pits fueled by propane gas are designed for portability. In fact, there are fire pit models
that include rear tires and pull handles so that you can move the pit to the destination of your choice including a summer cabin.
About The Author
Jane Harvard is a contributing author and publisher to
http://www.outdoorfireplacesadvice.com an online resource that provides you
with information , articles of interest and a selection of the top outdoor fireplace retailers on the internet.