2 minute read

heart of the home Light Your Fire

from Good News July 2023

from Good News July 2023, page 16

Big Magic in a Small Town

Creating a backyard oasis around a firepit or fireplace has grown in popularity. Professionals who install fire features suggest beginning with a hard look at your property. What is the view you want to enjoy while toasting your marshmallow? How far is the feature from your home and property lines? From which direction does the wind usually blow? Safety is always a top consideration for those flying sparks.

Permits are rarely needed. The only time you might need a permit is if the fireplace is integrated with the house, such as with a roof extension from the house. If the feature is freestanding, then you probably won’t need a permit. Check local building codes to be on the safe side.

Fuel source is an important factor in choosing the type of fire feature for your property. If burning wood, using hardwood, like oak or maples, is recommended. Soft woods such as pine, or green wood, can sometimes contain water and cause sparks and excess smoke.

Most fireplaces are wood-burning, but requests for propane or natural gas-burning are up. It’s the ease of having the fuel readily available that wins buyers over. Using gas can eliminate the smoke of a wood-burning fire as well as the clean-up of ash afterward.

If choosing the propane or natural gas option, the fuel source is hidden inside or connected to the fireplace by a separate line. Typically, a 20-pound propane tank is the fuel source, easily refilled at your local hardware or grocery store. Ignition can be manual, requiring a match to light, or electric. Turn a knob or push a button, and the fire is there and ready to enjoy.

Outdoor fireplaces are a more expensive option and often an integral part of an outdoor kitchen. While professionally built fire pits can be priced at several thousand, outdoor fireplaces can cost up to several tens of thousands and beyond.

Hardscaping around fireplaces and fire pits means that the landscaping incorporates hard materials such as stone, wood, or concrete. Paved areas, retaining walls, stairs, and other hard features provide functionality and structure to the landscape. When the hardscaping is complete, lighting, landscape design, and plant installation can be added for an even more dramatic effect.

Pre-made units can be installed or hire a professional to start from scratch and design the fire feature of your dreams. Materials are usually stone or brick. Shapes, colors, materials, all are trending with new styles. Brick pavers around features are especially popular now.

Another option worthy of mention is the smokeless fire pit. These units do not require installation but are portable units, usually made out of steel, that you can buy online or at your favorite lawn and garden store. They weigh between 30 to 50 pounds and fire up with various fuel types: wood, charcoal, or wood pellets. After use, clean up is easy with a bit of white ash at the bottom of the unit.

Well-built fireplaces and fire pits can bring homeowners enjoyment for the life of the home, but regular maintenance can ensure safety and functionality. A fire pit may accumulate leaves and other debris over the off-seasons that should be cleaned out before use to avoid flying embers and sparks. For gas units, spiderwebs and debris can clog burners and cause malfunction if not cleaned. Doors for outdoor fireplaces or covers for fire pits can prevent some of these problems.

A well-built and designed feature, well maintained, will bring pleasure to the homeowner for many years to come.

Zinta Aistars

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