Archive for February, 2012
Sunday, February 26th, 2012
A fire pit or fire pit table is a great addition to your backyard and there are many options for accessories that go well with your new purchase. There are many important elements to think about when making decisions on accessories and sometimes it can be very confusing. For example, many people are not sure about the fire glass inside the fire pit table.
Fire pit table glass can come in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes. The amount of crystal or rock that you are going to want to purchase depends greatly on the size and shape of the fire pit table that you have purchased. For example, most bags come in 1 pound up to 65 pounds of crystal and can vary in cost from $10 to upwards of $500. The color of the stone also can affect the pricing of the material and should be considered carefully as well.
When choosing accessories for your fire pit, it is a good idea to take a look online to see what other people are choosing for their fire pit tables. Sometimes there are online galleries that will inspire you to do a different or similar look and feel for your table. For example, choosing a smaller stone for a larger table may take a lot more material than if you were to choose a larger size stone, but it also may look more modern and simple. As always, be sure to shop around and do your research to ensure that you are making the best decision for the newest addition to your outdoor space.
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Sunday, February 26th, 2012
Shopping for outdoor furniture can be quite the experience when you aren’t sure what details should and shouldn’t be included. When looking at furniture, decide your aesthetic and determine your style that you are going for before heading out and looking. Also consider the style and shape of any additional accessories, such as fire pits or fire pit tables. This will narrow down your options dramatically.
Once you have decided the style and look that you are want, start with the Internet for your search. This will shorten your list of stores in your area that have the styles that you like. It is important to make a through list of each store return policy and any possible extended warranties on the furniture.
When you have started to shop, be sure to take photos, color swatches if available and measurements. This will allow you to return home without making any impulse buys and make a logical and reliable decision on your choice. Most importantly, when you are finished shopping and are ready to make that final purchase, remember to go online and look again before going to a store. Sometimes the best pricing is going to be found at an online store. Plus if you have gone to the store and tested the furniture in advance, you know exactly what you will be getting for a more affordable price.
Posted in Outdoor Furniture | No Comments »
Friday, February 24th, 2012
When searching and shopping for fire pits, you may find yourself wondering if the process of installing a fire pit is something that can be turned into a “do it yourself” project or if the hiring of a professional is necessary. There are several aspects of installing a fire pit properly that can be quite complicated and may need the assistance of a professional, but with the right tools some fire pits can be made into a weekend project.
Please do NOT attempt to install any kind of gas fire pit by yourself. These kinds of fire pits are NOT good candidates for self-installation. Please consult the advice of a contractor or licensed professional.
Pre made wood burning or some propane fire pits typically come in pieces and may or may not have installation instructions. Before attempting any installation, please visit your local hardware or general supply store to review the instructions with a knowledgeable individual. This is not a project that is recommended to unskilled persons or first timers. Taking the instructions to your local store will give you another insight into the overall picture and process of installation. If afterwards, you and your trusted secondary handyman feel that the project is a viable candidate for self-installation, follow all directions, take necessary precautions and plan everything in advance. If the project is deemed as a professional install only, do NOT attempt to take on the project yourself. Many times hiring a professional can save you from injury and more.
Safety of you and your home is number one when attempting to install a fire pit into your outdoor space. The simplest and easiest way to avoid accidents is planning and taking precautions before, during and after the installation process. When starting installation, make sure you have all materials organized and review your layout for the pit itself. For example, if you are attempting to create a circular area for the fire pit, make sure that you leave yourself enough room around the outside radius for people to walk. That being said, place the seating far back enough for walking space and for a comfortable heat level. These are both areas where consulting with a professional could be very useful. They would be able to advise you as to how much area to measure, what the proper materials are to be used and more. The more you know about the installation process the better.
Ultimately, hiring a professional can ensure that the installation process of your new fire pit is done correctly without fail. With weekend projects, sometimes people can feel rushed or hurried by life’s other events. A contractor can be expensive at first, but can save you money in the long run, not to mention save you from a potentially exhausting weekend and should always been seen as an option for installation purposes.
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Friday, February 24th, 2012
There are many places where you can make the purchase of a fire pit table or other outdoor fire feature. If you are looking to make a purchase, it is always a good idea to price match stores and retailers and never be too shy to ask about price matching. Some stores may not be able to allow this feature, but don’t check those retailers off the list for good. Shipping costs and other fees may also be bargaining factors and could dramatically influence your decision to purchase with them.
First and foremost, before making any kind of purchase- planned or not- make sure that you know your product and have done plenty of research. Many people aren’t sure as to which style will suit their yards décor and soon find themselves buying most anything off the rack. Avoid this at all costs! Planning and mapping out your yard and making decisions on design, color scheme and more could help save you hundreds in the end. Research styles, designs and types of fire pits and fire pit tables before going ahead with a purchase will set you in the right direction. This is especially important when hiring a professional to install your new fire feature. If you aren’t prepared for the look and feel that you are wanting from your outdoor space, you may end up with a yard that is far from enjoyable and may reflect someone elses tastes or style.
In all, the purchase of even the most basic of fire pit table or fire pit can be from a variety of stores or online retailers, but make sure you read their return policies, pay attention to shipping and handling costs and compare quality of product. Just because it’s cheap in cost, doesn’t make it the best choice. You may pay later on for a purchase that wasn’t thought out and planned for in advance. Good, quality retailers stand behind their product and will provide adequate information about their inventory. Ask as many questions as you feel necessary to make the right purchase and always remember that your investment in your outdoor space is just as important as making a renovation in your home. You are, in reality, expanding your homes square footage by creating this outdoor area. Make the purchases count, go with a reputable, quality retailer, plan ahead without making impulse decisions and you will be sure to add immeasurable value to your homes overall appeal.
Posted in Fire Pits, Fire Tables, Outdoor Fire Pit | No Comments »
Thursday, February 23rd, 2012
After purchasing your new addition to your backyard, it is always a good idea to navigate the area to which you plan to place your new fire feature. Ideally, this planning is done ahead of time, however sometimes a purchase can be made without any kind of plan. This is when a creative eye and skillful eye can come in handy.
Things to watch out for can include size, shape and materials needed when bringing your new purchase home. Many times, if bought on a whim, the fire pit table may not look the same as it did in store. It may not be exactly what you need for the space and soon, the purchase may seem regrettable. In these instances, a quick fix or redesign could be the solution.
If the fire pit table is too big for the space, there is always the option of relocation. Many times people who have purchased a larger fire pit table want a good source of heat from the wood-burning feature, but in an effort to provide it- go a little over the top. Soon the plan of having small gatherings could manifest and can appear as a over the top bonfire taking over the outdoor space. Relocating the placement or even orientation of the fire pit table can dramatically change the direction of heat flow. Just make sure that no flammable trees or plants are too close when relocating.
When the fire pit table is too small for the desired area a good idea is to enclose the surrounding seating area or surrounding space to create a dense area of heat for you and your guests to enjoy. For example, building lightweight, structural walls out of greenery, rocks and bricks or other materials can not only add a warmth factor, but also create a more intimate outdoor space for entertaining.
In the end, if your new purchase is not what your looking for or just didn’t fit the bill make sure that you take the time to read over the store or retailers return information. If there is no store return policy, be creative with your new purchase. Plant it with seasonal flowers or drill a hole in the bottom to create a garden fountain- a fresh creative focus will make the best of your new purchase, even if it wasn’t right the first time around.
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Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
Building, remodeling and starting in on renovations can be haphazard to your sanity and your budget if not done correctly. When planning your renovations, think of what the overall budget is that you are working with and stick to it! The key is planning ahead, putting money aside and even afterwards, having an extra stash of money just in case things really get out of hand. You will thank yourself afterwards if you end up with more money in your pocket than what you had originally planned for.
One of the main things that should be thought of is the overall cost of the elements that you are choosing to put in your outdoor space. Elements such as fire pits or fire pit tables, for example, have a gigantic price range and finding one that fits your budget is important.
Most gas fire pits tend to be a better choice if you are budget conscience. Plus they also are less upkeep than traditional wood burning fire pits. That being said, if you aren’t planning on using your fire pit every week to every other week and only want to use it for special occasions, a wood burning fire pit might be a better choice. You only have to use wood once in a while and this can be a major cost saver in the long run.
Other elements such as fountains and small ponds also have a broad price range, but like the fire pits each model or kind is also going to have a set up keep that needs to be performed in order to maintain a good overall water quality, fish life period and more.
A good tip is to keep a list when shopping of all the prices that you see, whether it be in store or online. That way you can reflect on the pros and cons of each model and type of element. Taking these factors into consideration will nearly guarantee that the price will always be in balance with the quality and lifespan of your outdoor space’s elements and features.
Posted in Deck and Patio advice, Fire Pits, Outdoor Furniture | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012
When shopping for fire pits or fire pit tables, there are several options that need to be considered. Through many methods and consistent research, you will find that there are several ranges price and style wise to consider when choosing the right table for your needs.
For example, the main two categories for fire pit tables are wood burning or gas powered. With a gas powered fire pit table, you need to think as to whether you have the resources for a gas line to be hooked up. This could possibly take some money and the help of a contractor or licensed professional in order to complete. The benefits of having a gas powered fire table is that they require little to no maintenance, have no spark or residual effects and are typically less likely to give off severe heat.
With a wood-burning table, you must think of the resources that are also needed in order to clean, maintain and ultimately enjoy your outdoor area. Wood burning fire pit tables typically need cleaning constantly in order to keep areas clean and free of residual wood chips, ash and more. They require wood, most importantly and if you are unsure as to how to store wood or don’t have a specific area that you can place the wood; this may not be the right table for your needs. To store wood, you need a cool, dry area that can be watched over and maintained as well. There are risks of rot, the dampening of the wood and more when it comes to keeping and storing wood on your property. If you are thinking of having fresh wood brought in every time you want to use the table, it may seem like a good idea at first, but also consider time and effort needed to start and refresh the fire.
All good fire pits are built with the intention of being used for a tranquil spot, a reliable heat and light source or for both purposes. Make sure that you thoroughly think about you options regarding your fire pit table choice and refer to your research if you have any questions about which kind is best for your outdoor space.
Posted in Fire Tables | No Comments »
Friday, February 17th, 2012
During the summer months, people are always looking for ways to beat the heat with poolside gatherings and daytime luncheons. At night, however, the heat subsides and cool breezy nights fall upon us. That is when the outdoor space should become an outdoor living area. Incorporate comfy seating with a small or medium sized fire pit table and you have wonderful, relaxing space to entertain your guests. Make sure that before your guests arrive to clean and wipe the area around your fire pit to ensure that dirt is off for them set their drinks on. Also, think of your guests by bringing blankets outside. Just be sure that the blankets are flame retardant to avoid embers from the fire pit causing any issues. Most of the time, fire pit tables are used for winter months, but they are just as wonderful during those summer months. Fire pits and fire pit tables can add ambiance to the scene and create a super-relaxing atmosphere. Enjoy the night air and sit back to star gaze with your guests in comfort. If you’re not too crazy about using your fire pit during those warmer months, you can always choose to store the table or plant it for the spring flowers. Creative and useful, fire pits can be used for a multitude of projects and can be flexible during those months that you’re not needing to add warmth.
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Thursday, February 16th, 2012
Choosing a fire pit table can almost be as easy as going to your local depot, hardware or outdoor furniture store and walking out. The real issue when it comes to fire pit tables is cleaning them and storing them when they aren’t in use. For most models of fire pits, it is simply a stand with a metal bowl that you place wood inside and light. Once the fire has subsided is really where things can get messy. Cleaning pit tables can be somewhat of a workout if not done in a timely manner and in the right way. Harsh chemicals can oxidize the insides of the bowls, leaving a nasty reside and hard to clean surface behind. Also, using these chemicals also burns off during the next fire session, making those fumes toxic and potentially harmful for some people. The best way to clean and dispose of the waste that is caused by fire pit tables is to dump and bury the compose waste a couple hours after the fire has subsided and spray the residue out with a strong hose. Feel free to use suggested manufacturer brushes to clean the bowls, but don’t scrub too hard. Once used, the bowl can never be as shiny or as clean as the day it was purchased, but your fire pit also wont have toxic fumes pouring out of it on the next use either.
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Wednesday, February 15th, 2012
When it comes to designing a backyard, many people have a hard time imagining an outdoor space that is both economical and professional looking. There are a few modern elements that can really bring the space together. Purchasing outdoor furniture with a simple scheme and accenting them with outdoor curtains can really bring a home like feeling into the yard. Having an outdoor fireplace or fire pit can also make a modern statement. Most outdoor furniture and fire tables can be made to reflect your sense of modern taste, so be sure and seek out those particular pieces. Modern furniture can be somewhat hard to find, as well as modern fire pit tables, but to find them; you must look at retailers with fairly wide selections. The most important thing to take into consideration when building a modern backyard with a fire pit is to consider the fire pit table and it’s size in relation to the furniture. Larger fire pit tables with the modern feel are meant to be paired with larger scale sofas and maybe even a large umbrella for shade in the summer time. A small-scale fire pit table is an easier choice for many because it is easier to clean and maintain during those months that it’s not in use.
Posted in Fire Pits, Fire Tables, Outdoor Furniture | No Comments »
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