Saturday, December 10, 2011

Outdoor Fire Place Design

The appeal of outdoor fire places has indeed increased significantly over the past few years. Currently the focus in home design is primarily on outdoor living areas, and as such much emphasis is placed on features which will make an outdoor living area more appealing and attractive. The trend of constructing outdoor fireplaces and fire pits has rapidly gained popularity across the United States.

If you are interested in making an outdoor fireplace a part of your outdoor landscaping options, then the first thing which you should do is to contact your local authorities. In several areas the burning of any form of fire at night is strictly prohibited, so getting permission to build a
fireplace is essential. You certainly do not want to invest money and time in a project which you possibly will be unable to enjoy!
Outdoor Fire Place Design

Technically, there is not much of discernible difference between an indoor fireplace and an outdoor fireplace, as the basic construction is the same. Chimneys, not dampers are used in the construction of
outdoor fireplaces, and a beautiful addition to any outdoor fireplace is the Mexican chimenea. These fireplaces design were traditionally made from clay but now are available in cast aluminum. These chimeneas are easily available at most garden centers or even at your local home improvement store.

The most popular materials used in the construction of these fireplaces are cast iron, bricks, stone and aluminum. However, if you choose to go with the brick design, ensure that the bricks used for the inner section of the fireplace are actually 'firebricks' as these are able to readily withstand high temperatures.


Pay particular attention to the location in which you plan to have your
fireplace constructed. It is important to ensure that it is far away from your plants, draperies and other nearby garden structures to reduce the likelihood of stray sparks causing a fire. It is advisable that all outdoor fire places be at least fifteen feet away from your home and quite a distance away from tress, overhanging shrubs and electrical wires. Never leave a fire unattended to, and always make sure that the fire is completely extinguished before retiring for the night.
Overall, the main consideration when building outdoor fireplaces really should be on ventilation and safety as opposed to aesthetics. The focus on aesthetics is secondary once all the safety features are already in place. It is recommended that the design of your fireplace should be in tandem with the overall interior decorating theme of your home.

Outdoor
fireplaces provide a stimulating area for hosting get-togthers with friends and family while increasing the overall value of your home. Quite possibly this is a major factor which has boosted its popularity so far within the home improvement arena. Best of all these outdoor fireplaces are relatively inexpensive, easy to install and will be perfect for any size lawn or patio. There are a multiplicity of styles available, so you will be able to find one which suits your tastes perfectly.

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