Outdoor living areas are the most popular places in the home during the warmest months of the year. Whether you spend mornings alone by the pool with a good book or evenings on the patio dining with friends and family, spending as much time as possible outside in the fresh air is a priority for many home owners. When days become too cold for spending time outdoors, though, it’s with much unwillingness that home owners return indoors for the long winter. Luckily, the season for enjoying those exterior living areas can become longer thanks to the warmth provided by an outdoor fireplace. Outdoor fireplaces come in a variety of types, including traditional outdoor fireplaces, chimineas, fire pits, and fire bowls. Choosing the best available option can sometimes feel daunting, though, but knowing more about each option can help in your decision.

On the whole, traditional outdoor fireplaces look similar to fireplaces you might see on the inside of a home. Many are rectangular in shape and feature a mesh metal door which swings open to allow easy access, and swings closed to keep sparks from flying out of the fire. Traditional outdoor fireplaces do not lack a sense of style, though. Whether your preferred style is one of clean lines or of romantically ornate decor, there is an option to match that preference. In addition, most outdoor fireplaces warm a 360 degree area around them, which makes a welcoming space big enough to warm a good number of friends on cold evenings.

A more utilitarian style of traditional outdoor fireplace is available, too, which many families prefer for at home or for outdoor camping adventures. These fireplaces boast a round body and sturdy, often tubular metal legs. Some models have two wheels for easy portability. This more utilitarian of outdoor fireplaces provides the necessary components without added ornamentation.

A different kind of outdoor fireplace is the chiminea. Chimineas were originally developed in Mexico as a means for heating the home and cooking food. The design of the chiminea, which looks similar to a pot belly stove with a round, mostly enclosed firebox and tall stack, makes it possible for fires to ignite quickly and burn for longer periods than in a traditional outdoor fireplace, which has an open firebox. Furthermore, the design of chimineas prevents rain from extinguishing the fire. Chimineas were traditionally constructed of clay or terra cotta, but for superior durability and performance in colder climates, the preferred material for backyard chimineas is heavy duty metal, such as cast iron or cast aluminum. In northern climates with more severe weather conditions, clay or terra cotta chimineas tend to flake, crack, or crumble. Metal chimineas are beautifully designed and easily become the decorative focal point in any elegant outdoor living space. Chimineas are fireplaces with true appeal and flair.

Fire bowls and fire pits are yet another type of outdoor fireplace available. Fire bowls and fire pits are usually smaller than traditional outdoor fireplaces, and the depth of the pit or bowl can vary greatly. Larger capacity fire bowls or fire pits will hold more firewood and provide more warmth for those surrounding them. Fire bowls and fire pits can also be found in a wider variety of styles than traditional outdoor fireplaces. For example, materials used to construct fire bowls and fire pits range from tough and beautiful metals like aged bronze, copper, or stainless steel to stone such as slate, marble, or granite. Additionally, some fire bowls and fire pits are adorned with elegant features like ceramic tile, metal scroll work, or outdoor motifs. Fire bowls and fire pits are versatile, too. Some fire bowls and fire pits can double as a grill for cooking out, and some can be found at the center of an outdoor dining table or patio table, making romantic dinners and private conversations all the more appealing. Many fire bowls and fire pits come with a mesh spark arrestor to help prevent embers from jumping out of the flames.

Selecting the best outdoor fireplace to match your style and needs may seem like a daunting task, but it is important to know that outdoor fireplaces are not appropriate for every exterior living space. Before selecting from the many outdoor fireplaces, chimineas, fire bowls, or fire pits, be sure that one can be used safely in your home’s exterior living area. For example, many outdoor fireplaces cannot be used on or near wood decks or other wooden structures. While some of the portable traditional outdoor fireplaces can be taken into grassy areas and campgrounds, an ideal location for most of the outdoor fireplaces discussed in this article would be a stone, brick, dirt, or concrete surface.

Trey Collier is owner of BackyardCity.com – Where North America shops for Outdoor Living essentials, including a wide variety of high quality Outdoor Fireplaces, including Chimineas, Fire Pits, and Fire Bowls, for at home and away from home.

Author: Trey Collier
Article Source: EzineArticles.com