Choosing a Perfect Fire Feature for Your Outdoor Living Area

Summer is for the outdoors. Every year as soon as the weather starts to get warm, there is a surplus of activities people can do outside. But with the approach of winter, these activities slowly grind to a halt.Fire features create a perfect environment for enriching conversations or igniting creativity. They are ideal for relaxation or a romantic getaway for two persons. Fire features offer an easy and charming way to bring the indoors to the outdoors.They extend the range of activities people can do while at home. In addition to light and heat, they add ambiance to spaces and, as Dawson Property Management points out, improve the value of a property. But when choosing a fire feature, which one is the best option for your home?Types of Fire FeaturesFire features come in many varieties, but they can all be summed up into four basic categories.Fire PitsFire pits are the most common type of fire feature there is. As the name suggests, they consist of a pit dug in the ground where a fire is lit. Modern fire pits are built around this basic concept and can be made of stone, brick, or metal.These materials are used to surround a hole in the ground or constructed to form an enclosure above the ground. Traditional fire pits burn wood and charcoal only, but modern versions can run on other types of fuel too. Fire pits come in different sizes and shapes.Fire Bowls Fire bowls are an adaptation of the idea of the fire pit. Where fire pits are fixed because they are built into the ground, fire bowls are portable. They are large bowls that stand on three or more legs and which can hold fire inside the belly of the bowl.Fire bowls are usually smaller than fire pits, but what they lack in size, they more than makeup for in mobility. Fire bowls can be rectangular, triangular, or circular. They are mostly made of metal.Fire Tables Fire tables may be considered the latest innovation to the family of fire features. They consist of a table with a small fire in its center. This unique design allows them to serve as a table and a source of heat, at the same time.The idea behind the design is to allow people to enjoy the warmth and light of a fire, while also offering them a place to arrange meals, drinks, and board games. Fire tables may be designed as a dinner table, coffee table, bar-top or more. They are usually portable and run on electricity or gas.Outdoor FireplaceFireplaces have been around since forever. But this is a fireplace with a twist; it is outdoors instead of inside the house. They are similar in all respects to indoor fireplaces. Most outdoor fireplaces are in-built and fixed.The preferred fuel for most is wood because fireplaces burn wood better and more safely than other types of fire features. Fireplaces can be quite large and usually have elaborate designs. The materials used in constructing them vary, but they are generally sturdy.

Which fire feature is right for your home?

Here are things you should consider before choosing a fire feature for your property.Portable or FixedIf you have a lot of space, a fixed outdoor fireplace or fire pit could be the ideal choice. But if space is limited, a smaller and portable fire feature might be better. A semi-permanent option also exists in the form of heavy fire bowls that are still portable, as well as, fire tables.Wood, Gas or GelWood-burning fire features will give you the most pleasure; nothing beats the crackling and scent of burning wood. But it may not always be safe or convenient to burn wood in a property.For convenience, nothing beats gas-burning fire features; just push a button and you're all set. If you are looking for an eco-friendly option, the gel would be your ideal fuel. Propane is another fuel option.Crowded or CozyHow many people are you expecting to have around the fire? Are you expecting to host noisy parties, a campfire-like environment, or an exclusive evening for two or four people? The smaller the fire feature, the fewer the number of people you want around it.LocationBefore you make a final decision, consult the wood-burning regulations in your locality. And even if the laws allow you to burn wood, check that you can do so without any danger of starting a bushfire