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The advantage of a built-in fire pit is that it’s adaptable: if the base is solid, it can be turned into a braai area and, when there’s no fire in it, into a table by sliding a cover over it. -
The advantage of gas units is that they’re smokeless and simple to operate. But there are many more options to consider when it comes to outdoor heating. When looking at outdoor wood fireplaces, consider the firebox carefully – some transmit more heat than others.
WORDS Biddi Rorke IMAGES Dan Duchars/Getty Images/Gallo Images
Winter doesn’t have to mean staying indoors. Here are two ways to bring the outside in – and cosy up at the same time.
THE FIRE PIT
South Africans love a good fire, and if you recognise the need for a significant focal point in an outdoor landscape design, a fire pit is an obvious and affordable solution. It provides warmth, light, a cooking source and an ambient atmosphere for entertaining, unwinding and appreciating your little piece of nature.
There’s one main thing you’ll need to consider: decide whether your outdoor space is more suited to a built-in fire pit or a portable one that can be moved depending on weather conditions and activities. “While portable fire pits offer the advantage of being in any space at any time, built-in fire pits offer a better variety of finishing materials, such as concrete, stone and brick,” says Daniella Favis of online DIY resource Home Inspirations, in Gauteng. “Small, round fire pits are currently the most popular because they encourage guests to sit around them and converse, while square fire pits look classy and are useful for formal, structured gardens. Rectangular fire pits are best as backdrops for a water feature or a swimming pool and they’re generally big enough to warm large groups.”
A fire pit’s multi-functionality adds to its popularity, Daniella adds. “Instead of simply being a decorative heat source, some fire pits can be temporarily converted into a grill. Some portable designs, or the more solid, permanent versions of the traditional pit, can also be converted into tables when the fire isn’t in use by simply placing a sturdy cover over it.”
When used properly, fire pits should not present a fire hazard. They should be built with sturdy walls that help to contain the heat and flames. ‘Avoid placing fire pits under overhanging trees or too close to other flammable structures,’ says Daniella. “Many homeowners worry about placing fire pits on their wooden decks. Gas models shouldn’t pose a problem on these surfaces, but make sure you’re aware of the gas installation regulations before installing a gas fire pit in your garden.”
OUTDOOR HEATING
Apart from fire pits, there are numerous patio heating options available. The first thing to consider is one’s choice of fuel. As Bernard Steyl of FireScience in the Western Cape explains, gas units are more expensive to run (approximately R18 per hour) but they have the advantage of being smokeless and simple to operate. They can also be more decorative than traditional fireplaces and are easier to move around. An added bonus is that gas bottles can be cleverly stored within an aesthetically pleasing structure such as a wine barrel or stainless steel capsule.
Infra-red heating bars are also popular outdoor heating solutions as they’re cost-effective, durable and powerful, says Gary Weingartz of Simkul Trade in Durban. “One infra-red installation of 3.6 kilowatts has the same efficiency rating as two gas heaters of 11 kilowatts,” he says. “90 percent of the heat is available within one second and because infra-red lamps have a lifespan of 5 000 hours, there’s no need for refills of inflammable material every few hours.”
However, the smell of a wood-burning fire (which costs approximately R10 per hour) is difficult to top and, if used in moderation, won’t harm your carbon footprint too drastically.
“Bear in mind that built-in wood fireplaces require a chimney for adequate ventilation and are often appreciated more for ambience than a viable heating source,” Bernard says. “The firebox should be of good quality stainless steel while the unit itself should be insulated with a rock or ceramic wall.”
There is also the issue of wood storage. Whether you choose a basket, a steel rack or a recess in the wall, wood storage should be part of the overall theme of the outdoor space, says Nemone Bieldt of Indigo Architects. “An attractive storage unit offers an opportunity to celebrate the [aesthetic] pleasure of stacked timber while at the same time keeping it dry and close at hand.”
This article was originally featured in IMAGINE.
