How a Mason Can Extend the Use of Your Barrington, RI Landscape by Adding an Outdoor Fireplace
The magic of summer nights spent with family and friends can seem fleeting once the cooler weather sets in and we take our activities indoors. An outdoor fireplace can keep you outside longer. Here’s how a mason can extend the use of your Barrington, RI landscape by adding an outdoor fireplace.
Related: How a Mason Can Turn Your Inground Pool Into a Mini-Resort in Barrington RI
Why choose an outdoor fireplace over other types of fire features?
A fire table creates a centerpiece out of a gas-fueled flame, marrying the pleasure of shared meals with the drama of a fire. While it can be a wonderful addition to an outdoor kitchen or dining area - and it can be a stunning focal point - a fire table doesn’t have the heat output to warm an entire patio.
A fire pit has one advantage over a fireplace in that you can sit more people around the fire. However, a fire pit offers a much more casual atmosphere than an outdoor fireplace, which is designed to be a more elegant focal point on the patio.
Why is an outdoor fireplace such a good investment?
An outdoor fireplace provides warmth and ambience to your patio and it can very well be the one investment that lets you enjoy your outdoor space in most weather. Being able to enjoy your patio in the colder months requires heat, and unlike patio heaters, an outdoor fireplace is not only a great heat source but beautiful to look at. Outdoor fireplaces slowly radiate heat as the masonry warms up. Huddle up in blankets with your loved ones and enjoy some hot chocolate by the fire as you watch the snow fall.
The fireplace can be any size you like, from a modest kit fireplace to a massive, extravagant fire feature that boasts a wood-fired pizza oven within its structure. Essentially, an outdoor fireplace can accommodate any feature and any look you want.
Why choose a masonry fireplace over other materials?
Masonry is a time-honored craft that brings beauty and a sense of permanence to a landscape. Adding a fire feature created with natural stones, bricks, or concrete wall units to your outdoor living area will help make a space feel cozy - and a well-built masonry feature is a joy to look at. Even when the outdoor fireplace isn’t being used, the idea of its warmth tells friends and family that their presence is welcome and they can always come sit by the fire.
Outdoor fireplaces put out a fair amount of heat, especially as the masonry heats up and begins to radiate stored warmth. Whether you choose an outdoor fireplace that uses wood or propane as fuel, you’ll always be able to regulate the amount of heat you want to suit the air temperature.
What’s the best positioning for an outdoor fireplace on the patio?
To ensure everyone has equal access to the warmth, it’s important to use a semi-circle or a square as a theme for the space, which can be an ideal use for a corner of the patio (locate the fireplace in the corner, with seating fanning out in a semi-circle. Incorporating an outdoor fireplace into a retaining wall helps create a cozy outdoor living room that also helps hold the heat in on those nights when an extra sweater would come in handy.
The dancing flames within outdoor fireplaces produce a soft yet dynamic glow. The flickering flames create a welcoming ambience for any outdoor gathering, inviting everyone to gather around and linger for some great conversation.