subject: Add Value To Your Home With An Outdoor Fireplace [print this page] An outdoor fireplace is the perfect setting for entertaining guests by providing warmth, an attractive focal point, as well as a place to cook if you're equipped with a grill and any other necessary equipment. What makes this upgrade even better is when it comes time to sell your home you will be pleased with the additional value (approximately 10%) that this can bring to your home! First things first, you'll want to make sure that you are in accordance with all the codes as well as have the proper permits to build a fireplace. Next step would be choosing what type of fireplace you would like to have: wood burning, gas modeled, or perhaps even a fire pit.
The most common of the three is the wood burning fireplace; the most traditional of the three styles. This is your basic wood log burning fireplace, which directs the heat upwards and out through the chimney. There are built-in inserts available for purchase that can actually re-circulate the air back into the room so you're not losing that warm air.
Gas fireplaces are becoming more and more popular these days due to the conveniences and the fact that they are more environmentally friendly. There is less clean up that is involved and can be turned on or off with just the click of a remote. You don't have the smoke to deal with, nor the trouble of gathering the wood.
Fireplace mantels are a great way to express your very own individual style. You can even build your mantel right into your wall! There are endless design possibilities and many different materials that can be used: brick, rock, stucco, concrete, etc.
Fire pits are getting more recognition these past few years with the array of styles that have come out. They are fairly easy and inexpensive to build and always impress buyers when you are selling your home. For a simple, yet sophisticated looking fire pit you would just dig a nice size hole, put a couple layers of sand down and then add whatever type of bordering you would like to use: stone, brick, tile, etc. If building one isn't something you'd be interested in doing, no problem, fortunately you have a very large variety of pre-built fire pits to choose from. They come in copper, glass enclosed, brick embossed, natural stone, pre-cast, or even granite to name a few. One very important thing to remember with fire pits is to make absolute sure you keep it a good distance away from any flammable structures, trees, or dry grass.
