Lennox Hearth Products Outdoor Fireplace
Thanks to effective—and downright appealing—outdoor heating devices, you can enjoy your outdoor space well into the autumn months.
With fall just around the corner, you may think it’s about time to pack up the barbecue utensils, lug the patio furniture into the garage, and kiss dining al fresco goodbye until next spring. But before you store that spatula or stash that chaise, consider heating your outdoor space to prolong the time you can spend under the stars.
“The trend of outdoor living is so popular right now,” says Leslie Wheeler, director of communications for the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association, based in Arlington, Virginia. She thinks it’s the creature comforts of home-heat, for example—that are responsible for the outdoor room rage.“What you’ve always had in your indoor family room you can now have outside—even more comfortable temperatures. [Outdoor heating devices] keep you warm and extend the season; plus they add ambiance.” Fortunately, there is a heater for virtually every price point, so there’s no need to break the bank. Besides budget, you should consider whether portability is an issue and how you intend to use the outdoor fireplace or heater—do you plan to hover around it to toast marshmallows or would you like it to heat a significant space? If you opt for a wood-burning model (versus gas), be sure to check with your county regarding local open-fire laws.
Fireplaces
According to Wheeler, the number of outdoor fireplaces has increased a whopping 89 percent since 2004. It’s no wonder, considering they certainly add a bit of the “wow” factor to your backyard landscape. Fortunately, building one from the ground up is no longer necessary, because easy-to-install, modular units are now available.
Well-known manufacturers, such as Lennox and Vermont Castings, sell stainless-steel frames (wood-burning is standard, and most are available with gas-log conversion kits). Then, a mason frames and finishes the fireplace to complement the style of the home, either with stucco, stone, or tile. Heat & Glo recently debuted the world’s first indoor/outdoor see-through fireplace—so homeowners can enjoy a fire whether they’re in the family room or outside on the patio.
Firepits
Perhaps the most ubiquitous of all outdoor heating devices, the firepit is generally a quick and safe way to create heat and cozy any space. Their popularity, too, has increased over the years, says Noelle Smith, publicist for Smith & Hawken. “We introduced our first one in 2001; today we offer a total of five varieties.”
According to Smith, the most popular model in the Mid-Atlantic is the “Provence,” which retails for $399 and is constructed of a black granite border with a copper basin. When the firepit isn’t in use, a granite lid covers the basin, converting it to a coffee table. Firepits are now also available from many companies in gas-burning models. Smith & Hawken’s version is made of crushed stone and fiberglass, puts out 70,000 BTUs per hour, and attaches to a gas outlet or propane tank.
Umbrella Stand Heater
To keep toes toasty when temperatures drop, consider this innovative idea from Outdoor Leisure. Strategically positioned under your patio table, this umbrella stand outputs 5,000 BTUs, accommodates almost all umbrella poles, and warms ambient air by up to 15 degrees. It¡¦s available in a black satin finish and requires a nearby standard 120-volt receptacle. The umbrella stand heater retails for $99 and is available at Lowe’s.
Patio Heaters
Although not the most attractive option, the propane-powered patio heater (often seen at outdoor restaurant seating areas) is perhaps the most effective at heating a significant space. Generally, they’re tall—upwards of about 8 feet—and heavy, sometimes tipping the scale at more than 100 pounds. But companies that manufacture these stainless-steel heaters (Coleman, for instance) claim they’re able to pump out radiant heat at some 40,000 BTUs, creating a 20-foot circle of warm air that boosts temperatures by 10 to 30 degrees. Some companies, like Eastman Outdoors and Endless Summer, offer smaller, tabletop varieties.
Chimeneas
Traditionally, chimeneas are made of clay with a terracotta look. Although generally inexpensive (around $100 or so), you’re likely to be disappointed with this option if your goal is to generate heat—because of clay’s propensity to crack, intense fires are not recommended.
Updated chimeneas, however, are now available in cast aluminum, and although they’re slightly more expensive, they are lighter in weight and less lightly to crack, because their durable material can withstand much higher temperatures. Neither option should be placed on the lawn or wooden deck; finding a stable platform of concrete or brick is best.
Kelli Rosen is a frequent contributor to ChesapeakeHome.
Contacts:
Coleman: coleman.com or 800-835-3278
Eastman Outdoors: eastmanoutdoors.com or 810-733-6360
Endless Summer: bluerhino.com or 800-762-1142
Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association: hpba.org or 703-522-0086
Heat & Glo: heatnglo.com or 888-427-3973
Lennox: lennoxhearthproducts.com
Lowe¡¦s: lowes.com or 800-445-6937
Smith & Hawken: desaint.com
Vermont Castings: vermontcastings.com or 800-525-1898
