Outdoor fireplaces make a strong impact 

One of the hottest trends in the home and design world is the outdoor room. Either as a cozy backyard sanctuary or an expansive rooftop entertaining room, Canadians are making the most of their available outdoor spaces to extend the season.

Creating an outdoor room can be an easy project once four fundamental steps are considered:

Plan. Will your outdoor room be used as an extension of your kitchen and dining area, thus a built-in fire burning oven or hearth is needed, or will be it an intimate living space in which to read, connect with friends or enjoy the stars? Once you’ve determined the usage, carving out the space is relatively easy.

Create a focal point. Identify what you want as the focal point for your “room” – is it a water feature, outdoor fireplace or the seating area itself. Outdoor fireplaces are definitely becoming a strong impact statement. Depending on where you live, adding a source of heat also serves to extend use of the space well into the fall. The warmth of a fire with the juxtaposition of a cool night breeze can also make for a lovely, intimate setting.

A leading trend for outdoor fireplaces is now bringing gas fireplaces outside. Sleek and self-contained, gas inserts are a modern, efficient and clean option to add sophistication, and warmth, to an outdoor room. Recently Monessen Hearth Systems introduced its see through gas fireplace, the Echelon, to consumers – the only wide view, see through fireplace on the market, which can be put in as a stand alone on a patio, or in a wall where it can be seen inside as well as out. This creates a truly transitional and easy flow from indoor to outdoor space. A key benefit to gas fireplaces, particularly with such fireplaces as the Echelon, is the technology that comes with it to turn the fire off and on remotely. The Echelon can also turn its pilot light off after a certain period of unuse which is a wise safety and energy saving feature.

Durable Goods. More and more consumers are asking the questions of companies – what are you doing in the backend to ensure sustainability, are you planting trees to replace the wood used for goods? Are you creating a product that is healthy for my family. So when looking to create your outdoor space, continue that dialogue and look for companies that are doing their bit and also consider using recycled goods for your own space.

Lighting. Consider lighting for your space. Votives and patio torches can be very effective but you may also want to consider the many new advances in LED or solar lighting. As well, solar panels can be unobtrusively hidden in what look like patio stones or rocks to add atmosphere to your space. If you have an awning or pergola over your patio, consider a vintage and retrofitted chandelier to add charm and elegance to the space.

For more information on backyard fireplaces and to see products available, please visit your closest Monessen, Majestic or Vermont Castings dealer, or visit http://www.monessenhearth.com.

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Contact:
Cathy Carter
CJC Communications
905-338-0825

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