Outdoor Large
Outdoor Large Houston Outdoor Fireplace, Custom Fireplaces Outdoor fireplaces are hot. A 2005 survey taken by the Hearth, Patio & Barbeque Association revealed that Americans spent nearly $150 bi...
Outdoor Large
Houston Outdoor Fireplace, Custom Fireplaces
Outdoor fireplaces are hot. A 2005 survey taken by the Hearth, Patio & Barbeque Association revealed that Americans spent nearly $150 billion on home remodeling of which one-third of that amount went towards adding outdoor living areas to their landscape design. Further, 67 percent of those surveyed who intended to build outdoor living areas also planned to install outdoor fireplaces or fire pits. The American Society of Landscape Architects confirms this trend: Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces top its list of biggest trends in landscape design for 2007.
Outdoor Fireplaces: Design Considerations
If you're dreaming of what an outdoor fireplace or fire pit would look like in your back yard, consider the following design issues:
• Break up your landscape design into "rooms" or "zones." Just as in a house, the "living room" is the central gathering spot and therefore perfect for outdoor fireplaces. In fact, the outdoor fire element serves as an "anchor" for an outdoor living room.
• Consider the views from the house. Where are your focal points? Are there privacy issues?
• At the same time, consider the view from the yard-do you want to take advantage of a view to a bayou, water way or greenbelt?
• Keep in mind that large structures, like outdoor fireplaces, alter the flow of traffic, so design accordingly.
• Work within your overall landscape design. For instance, if you've chosen a Mediterranean landscape design or modern landscape design, two very distinctive residential garden styles, you will want the outdoor fire element to be of the same design and of like material.
• Determine the direction of the prevailing wind when deciding where to set this large permanent structure. If needed, you might be able to use the height of a tall fireplace to help screen the winds.
• Integrate with other hardscapes. Outdoor fireplaces play off nicely against luxury swimming pools; each increases the dramatic effect of the other. Also landscape lighting can ratchet up the "wow" factor of your outdoor fire element.
Jeff Halper, landscape design specialist at Exterior Worlds, says, "Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits are all about ambiance. For example, right now we're working on a dining area that is situated in front of an outdoor fireplace. We're in the process of training a tree limb to grow over the dining table. When it gets big enough, we're going to wire a chandelier to hang from it."
Outdoor Fireplaces: Don't Zone Out
While they vary from city to city, most zoning regulations restrict how closely you can construct an outdoor fireplace to all existing buildings. Most regulate side and rear property line setbacks as well. You will also want to check to see if there are rules regarding slope setbacks and height restrictions. A landscape architect or landscape designer will help you navigate through the zoning issues and will design an outdoor fireplace or fire pit especially fitted for your residential property.
Outdoor Fireplaces: Safety First
Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces enhance any landscape design-but only if they are used properly and safely. Safety tips include:
• Always have fire extinguishers on hand.
• Keep all outdoor furniture safely away from any fire source.
• Fire screens are important accessories for outdoor fireplaces. They keep logs from rolling out of the fire and limit air-borne soot and cinders from flying about.
• If using a fire pit, follow the manufacturer's directions and obey all city regulations.
• For wood-burning fireplaces, it is a good idea to schedule regular professional chimney cleaning. One rule of thumb is to base the maintenance on the amount of wood you burn. Assuming you have no problem with birds' nest and other debris, you should get your chimney cleaned after burning two cords of wood-however long that takes.
• The #1 safety rule? Use your common sense.
Outdoor Fireplaces: A Lovely Garden Element
"Outdoor fireplaces, wherever they are-as a stand-alone, part of a outdoor kitchen or in a gazebo-are beautiful architectural elements," says Halper. "And they quickly become the central place where everyone gathers. Everyone wants to have one, especially in winter in this part of the country. They are a luxury that is perfect for the Houston climate."
About the Author
Jeff Halper is passionate for Landscaping and wants to share infomation about that passion. At
Exterior Worlds
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Outdoor fireplace
Outdoor Water Fountains – Add Peace and Tranquility to Your Surroundings
An outdoor water fountain is a great complement to your garden or other outdoor space. Not only are water fountains elegant, they also have a soothing aura about them that is very relaxing. Depending on how much space you have, and your budget, you can find the one that is ideal for your needs from among the hundreds of types, sizes and materials available. Your outdoor water fountain can be wall mounted, freestanding, tabletop, floor fountains or the traditional statuary type. You will find a wide choice of materials ranging from metal, stone, concrete, terracotta, slate, etc. Let us take a look at how you should care for your outdoor fountain during winter.
Winter Care For Outdoor Water Fountains
After enjoying your outdoor garden water fountain through summer and spring, it is time to take care of it when fall arrives with winter not far behind. Winter brings extreme cold temperatures and while your outdoor fountain might be sturdy enough to withstand the weather, you cannot allow the water to freeze in it since this could result in damaging the fountain and its pump. Portable outdoor fountains can simply be carried indoors or even stored in the garage until winter is over. But if you have a large outdoor water fountain, then there are several things you need to do to ensure that it is up and running after winter.
If your fountain can be moved, ideally is should be stored in your garage. It is often possible to dismantle tiered fountains, making them easier to store. Large fountains and fountains made of cast stone pose a problem with portability. Hence just before the temperature becomes sub zero, make sure that you drain the water out of the fountain. The pump must also be preferably removed and stored indoors through winter. This is a good time to clean out the pump to remove any build up of dirt and algae. A fountain cover would be a good investment now, so that you can keep the fountain from accumulating moisture. Covers are usually water proof material with a drawstring that help you fix it really tight, preventing it from blowing away in a breeze. These covers are available in different sizes to suit different outdoor fountain.
Outdoor fountains often come with nightlights that highlight the fountain after the sun has set. Illuminated fountains are available with their own LED lights. If not you can easily buy your own. Spotlights are also in vogue so that if you have an outdoor garden party, your fountain can provide the lighting you need. In summer, you can also relax in your garden during the cool evenings, enjoying the sight of your outdoor fountain and the water cascading down.
Nowadays there are trendy outdoor fountains that do not have a conventional shape. They are designed with abstract ideas and unusual materials. A majority of them are made of lightweight material, enabling you to move the fountain when necessary. Earlier outdoor fountains were common only in public places but today, they have become quite popular, especially the outdoor wall water fountains, at business houses and large homes.
About the Author
Apurva writes for Soothing Walls, a leading retailer of outdoor water fountain and garden fountains. For more information about different types of fountains visit www.soothingwalls.com.