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Topic: Outdoor Fireplaces



Date Posted: Monday, November 23, 2015
Posted by: Tanya Zanfa (Master Admin)
Source: http://myvalleynews.com/homeandgarden/fall-yard-planning-fire-fea...


Fall yard planning, fire features the perfect touch


Fall yard planning, fire features the perfect touch

By  

On a chilly fall night, nothing says home and hearth like an outdoor fire feature. Traditionally, the fire pit is a place for people to gather, enjoy one another, toast marshmallows for s’mores or sip a delicious Temecula Valley wine with a backdrop of moon and stars.

If you don’t have a fire pit but have considered planning for one, there are a few items to consider before you call in a professional. First, how much do you want to invest when building a fire feature? Second, what part of your yard would you place the fire feature – and how many guests will you need to accommodate. Third, what look are you planning—a more modern, or traditional wood burning fire pit?

The Rather’s fire ring, built by Aloha Landscape, is a cozy addition they contemplated during the drought tolerant redesign of their yard. Ashley Ludwig photo
The Rather’s fire ring, built by Aloha Landscape, is a cozy addition they contemplated during the drought tolerant redesign of their yard. Ashley Ludwig photo

Investment, when it comes to building a fire pit can vary depending on costs of materials. Do it Yourself fire pit tutorials abound on Pinterest, using builder materials available at your local hardware or Home Depot store. If you are a DIY family, expect to invest a weekend on this project, and make sure you understand the legality of “No Burn Days” for your county going into fall and winter.

If you are more of the mind to call in a professional, as Kay and Ed Rather of Temecula did when they called Aloha Landscape designer Billy Furlong, then the sky is the limit as far as design for your outdoor fire features.

For the Rather family’s broad expansive yard, they wanted to achieve both the coziness of the outdoor fire place, where guests could gather around the outdoor dining table with the ambiance of a gas fire flickering in the background as well as use the feature to block a neighbor view.

“The outdoor fireplace is an attractive feature, it’s tall and broad, and gives more privacy to our landscaping on the pool side of the yard,” Ed said. “It turned out just like I wanted.”

On the other side of the yard, a smaller fire ring comes into play, where visitors can enjoy watching a golf game at their putting green while keeping warm on a chilly southern California night.

The outdoor fireplace adds privacy, as well as provides ambient light and warmth for fall dinner parties in the Rather family’s backyard. Ashley Ludwig photo
The outdoor fireplace adds privacy, as well as provides ambient light and warmth for fall dinner parties in the Rather family’s backyard. Ashley Ludwig photo

“The fire ring is more for fun, for having s’mores with the grandkids,” Kay said. “We use it a great deal.”

Building a fire pit, fire ring, or outdoor fireplace will add an air of festivity to any yard, according to Aloha Landscape’s Billy Furlong. It also increases the time one can be comfortable outside in the fall and winter seasons. Rehabilitating and maintenance of older fire features is also necessary, as fire rings will rust out over time, according to Furlong. Homeowners can also change the look of existing features by changing the fire ring’s façade.

Calling in a professional, such as Aloha Landscape, to rehab or design and build your outdoor fire feature will increase your budget, but also your ability to build what you’ve imagined. The sky, and your personal budget, is the limit.

When planning a fire feature around your yard’s space, consider the maximum number of guests you can conceive hosting, and whether you want a private, sunken, or open fire pit. Seating is another item to consider, whether you prefer a built in bench, or plan on ringing your fire circle with Adirondack chairs or outdoor couches. The seating you choose should be in harmony with the overall look and feel of your fire feature.

A fire pit refurbishment was required for the Ludwig’s backyard fire feature, including the removal and replacement of a rusted gas ring.  Ashley Ludwig photo
A fire pit refurbishment was required for the Ludwig’s backyard fire feature, including the removal and replacement of a rusted gas ring. Ashley Ludwig photo

If you are planning on a gas fire pit, rather than wood burning, there are ways to change your look based upon the material you fill the fire ring with. Choose wood­styled logs for a traditional look. Tropical themed fire pits can be filled with volcanic stones for a Hawaiian tiki effect.

Modern fire pits are often filled with fireproof “cannon balls,” round, concrete balls that can be stacked in place of logs. Finally, colored glass rock can fill a fire feature to capture the glitter and glow of the firelight.

Outdoor fire features will captivate your friends and family, and enhance any backyard this fall. Share your outdoor fire features with Valley News on Facebook.

For more information on Aloha Landscape, visit www.alohalandscapeanddesign.com.



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