Warm Up The Night! Patio Heaters And Fire Pits
|
In some areas right now, the weather is ideal for sitting outside in the evening -- the bugs have gone and the sky is clear -- but the nights are chilly. Don't let the cool evenings send you inside -- extend your outdoor living season by heating your deck or patio.
Different heaters are available for different needs and circumstances. A heater will be powered by propane, natural gas, alcohol-gel, electricity, wood, or wood substitutes such as charcoal or artificial logs. Depending on the size and the heat source, they may warm only a small space or heat a party-size yard.
For all heating units to perform optimally, they will need the right location. The ideal site is a combination of walls or fences (to radiate the heat back into your space) and overhead structures that will prevent the wind from blowing directly through your selected area.
Here are some tips for effective and safe use:
- Wood-burning fireplaces and fire pits are generally the least expensive to buy and to operate. Check for zoning ordinances to be sure that you can burn wood on your property. Some municipalities allow wood burning in a small chimenea unit, but will not approve a built-in or dug fire pit. Wood-burning units range from small collapsible units on wheels for easy portability to huge built-in concrete fireplaces. If you are permitted to burn wood, you are sure to find a unit to suit your needs!
- If you have a pottery fireplace, or chimenea, use it cautiously as these units are lightweight and reasonably fragile. To keep the fire from getting hot enough to break the chimenea, it's best to use kindling-size wood.
- Many wood-burning units have optional cooking grills so your fire can do double duty warming your toes and your tummy. Try this yummy "pizza" recipe, cooked up in campfire irons.
- Any open fire is a potential hazard. Keep any overhead sparks from tree branches or patio overheads, and be sure to teach children proper fire safety.
- Natural gas heaters are easy to use but are usually built in and, although bottled gas may be purchased, are best limited to those areas that have natural gas service.
- Propane heaters can be economical to operate. Depending on the heat output level you set, a standard propane tank can provide 10-12 hours of heat.
- Propane-powered "mushroom" or "umbrella" heaters (so called because of their shape) are the best choice for heating large areas. They radiate warming rays from the top cylinder and provide a comfort zone of 12 - 20 feet in diameter. The propane tank is hidden in the bottom of the unit. It's a good idea to put these units away when not in use as they can be sensitive to the elements. Smaller tabletop units are also available.
- Although electric heat is usually the most expensive, there are a few electric heaters designed specifically for outdoor use. Be sure that any heater that is left outside is rated as such.
With the wide selection of outdoor heating devices available, you're sure to find one that right's for you. So heat up the night - and go right on enjoying your outdoor space.
About The Author
Debbie Rodgers owns and operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Visit her on the web at www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on "Eight easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor space". Mail to debbie@paradiseporch.com
|
|
|
Aluminium Window Frames
When double glazing first became a popular window choice in the 1960s, most frames were made of aluminum. Aluminum remained the most popular choice for framing double glazing windows through the mid-1980s, when it held over 60% of the market. Since the introduction of PVC window framing, the market share of aluminum framed windows has dropped steadily. As of 2003, less than 17% of windows sold were aluminum framed. There are many reasons for the drop in popularity - and still some good reasons for choosing aluminum over PVC or wood frames.The early popularity of aluminum was based on price and convenience. Aluminum was far less expensive than wood, the o...(related: Home Improvement)
Garage Doors
You may think choosing garage doors is straight forward, however there are many things to consider, such as whether your garage is adjoining your property, is it a single or a double garage, how much clearance inside and out is needed and so on. Also, the appearance of the garage door can influence what material you use. There are four basic types of garage door and three different materials commonly used to construct these doors. We take a brief look at the four types of garage door which are sectional, roller, side hung and finally the common up and overThe first type of garage door we look are sectional garage doors. T...(related: Home Improvement)
Mistakes?
MISTAKES.Don't worry about making mistakes.Everyone makes mistakes.Why should you be different.The person who never made a mistake, never made anything.Mistakes can be costly. They can also be educational.Look upon your mistakes as an asset.Life is a learning process. Learn from your mistakes.Profit from them and you will not only make more money, you will also become a better person.You must face the fact that from time to time you will make the odd mistake.As long as they are not life threatening, pick yourself up, dust yourself down and get on with your life.Just remember to not make the same mistake twice.As I said before, "Learn fr...(related: Home Improvement)
Hot Tub Heaven
What will your next home improvement project be? Will it be an inground pool or how about a new deck? Why not consider a hot tub for the new deck? A hot tub is great for relaxing y...(related: Home Improvement)
Add A Room To Your Home With A Patio Awning
Do you need a patio awning for your lovely patio off of your backyard that only gets half the use it could because of rain or far too bright sun? Installing a patio awning to shade and protect it can be almost as good as adding a room to your home!When choosing a patio awning, you'll need to consider a number of things ? the area that needs to be covered, the structure on which the awning will be installed (usually your house), the weather conditions in your area, the cost and the aesthetics. There are many types and styles of patio awning available to suit your needs ? once you're certain what your needs are.The most often stated reasons for installing a patio awning are:- Protection from WeatherA patio awning provides shade from the sun and cover from rain, to extend the usability of your patio and make it...(related: Home Improvement)
Beautiful, Sparkling Chandeliers!
If you want to add extra spark to rooms, consider adding chandeliers to the rooms. Chandeliers offer added elegance a...(related: Home Improvement)
Remodeling Your Kitchen
Remodeling a kitchen is one of the best investments a homeowner can make. For most homeowners it is the most important room in the house. It is used for cooking, eating, and gathering, and is typically a focal point in the home. Consequently, though a great investment, a kitchen-remodeling project can be very disruptive to the family. And the length of the disruption can take as long as two or three weeks.The Planning Stage<...(related: Home Improvement)
The Top 10 Mistakes To Avoid When Shopping For A Mattress
Buying a new mattress is a daunting task that few relish. The range of prices, features, and stores can make your head spin. It doesn't have to be this difficult. Bearing a few things in mind while you try and find that perfect place to sleep can ease that big purchase tension.1. Don't limit your mattr...(related: Home Improvement)
site-map - Copyright © 2006 | Contact Webmaster | All Rights Reserved. | Home Improvement