With the weather finally cooling off, fall is a prime time to use your outdoor living spaces.  A fire feature can really enhance your entertainment experiences.  Here are some things to consider when planning your outdoor fire feature project. 

Why? 

Humans have been gathering around fire since the beginning of time.  In the evening, a fire can take the chill off the air, give kids a place to make s’mores and provide a gathering area for adults to enjoy their favorite beverage and catch up with old friends.  Some even entertain prospects, clients, and referral partners around their fire feature in order to build strong relationships by spending quality time together outdoors. 

What? 

There are several types of fire features to choose from.  

 

Fireplace 

We can build a fireplace into a wall on your outdoor living space complete with a mantelpiece.  Some of our clients have a big screen TV over the mantle so they can stay warm around the fireplace while watching the Chiefs win another game. 

Fire Pit 

A fire pit is a more economical way to include the element of flames and heat around a pool or on a patio without a wall.  We typically install fire pits between 12” and 16” tall to be slightly lower than seating height so you can put your feet up and get cozy and warm.  These pits can be above-ground or even sunken in the ground.  Just make sure to have a plan for draining the water. 

Fire Table 

If you need flexibility in your outdoor space, you may be interested in a fire table.  These features are typically gas with some type of lava rock or glass beads.  They can be at seating height or bar height and serve a dual use as a table when not in use.   These can also be a great place to roast marshmallows or hotdogs.   

Fire/Water Combo 

If you have a pool, we can build a fire bowl on a ledge above the pool.  Seeing the water and fire together makes a nice glow inside.  We can also create a stand-alone fountain bowl that incorporates fire as well.  The combination of these elements can give your outdoor space that special feature that everyone will be talking about. 

How? 

Now that you know the choices of what type of fire you want, here are some additional things to explore. 

Shape 

Fire can be held in all types of shapes.  Square and rectangular shapes are usually fire boxes, while round shapes are fire bowls.  We can also build a custom shape for you if you have one in mind.

Woodburning vs. Natural Gas 

Woodburning fires are traditional and smell wonderful.  However, sourcing firewood and storing it can be a challenge at times.  In addition, woodburning fires are very smoky and can leave your clothes smelling smoky. You may have to move around the space a lot to avoid the smoke as the wind blows. 

Natural gas fires pollute less.  While they cost more initially to install than woodburning fireplaces, they pay that investment back the more they are used.  Wood is expensive, while gas is much cheaper.  Some people miss the smell of wood and say a gas fire just isn’t the same.  We tend to urge them for gas lines even if it is a log lighter.  It is nearly impossible to add a natural gas line later to a fire pit that is already built. 

Properly done, a gas fire can look very much like a woodburning fire.  You can have the flames come through lava rock or glass beads if you want it to look showy.  You can even purchase expertly made gas logs that would fool most people.  In addition, you can scatter some wood pellets in the gas fire feature to create the desired smell without as much pollution if you want. 

Refractory firebrick is another option.  Fire bricks are usually used to line a fireplace or fire pit.  They are mostly clay with alumina or mullite in low quantities.  If the fire pit will be used as something very hot, like a pizza oven or pottery kiln, you need refractory fire bricks, which are usually made from silicon carbide, alumina, zirconia, or a high amount of mullite.  These bricks hold up to extremely high temperatures better than fire bricks, and they help to keep the stone, brick, or block from failing due to high temperatures. 

Let Us Design Your Fire Feature 

Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping can design the perfect fire feature for your landscape.  Simply schedule a consultation with us today to get on the schedule.