From the ArcaMax Publishing, Home and Consumer Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/home/s-386833-940391
The long summer evenings mean we have even more time to enjoy our
outdoor spaces, and if you have your own veranda to relax on then you
will find it easy to spend more and more time outside in the fresh
air.
Of course this kind of area is just the beginning of how to enjoy your
garden. It takes a few finishing touches to really make it desirable
and more stunning to the eye. One great example of how to make the
most of your patio area or veranda is by adding a fire pit to your
overall design.
Fire pits are exactly what they sound like – a manmade pit in which
you can build a roaring fire to keep you warm during the late summer
evenings. But instead of being built on the ground they are now
designed in a modern way, using materials such as stainless steel and
cast iron to create a free standing structure that can be placed
wherever you wish.
Styles vary considerably, ranging from ultra modern designs to more
basic fire pits are more traditional in appearance. Some of them also
have built in grills which allow you to use them as a simple kind of
barbecue – and there is nothing quite like tasting a burger cooked
over a flaming fire pit!
A fire pit will make your outdoor patio even more user friendly than
it is at the moment. They give off a lot of heat, enabling you to stay
outdoors far longer into the evening than you may be able to do
otherwise. You might also want to light it during the day if it is a
bit chilly and you still want to sit outside for a while.
Many fire pits have mesh covers that sit over the top, but even those
that do still get very hot while in use (and for some time after the
flames are put out). This means you need to be particularly careful if
there are any children playing nearby. It can be a good idea to
situate the fire pit well away from any play area, or anywhere too
close to a doorway or step where an accident is more likely to occur.
Fire pits are very safe provided they are located in the right place
and used properly, but it is always advisable to follow a few simple
rules to ensure that nothing untoward occurs. For example make sure
you don’t place it too close to any other structure, otherwise there
is a risk of scorching and burning. Another point to bear in mind is
that while the wood inside the pit is burning, none of it should be
hanging over the edge of the pit itself. It should all be sitting
safely inside it.
One final point is to make sure your plants are safe. It’s easy to
forget the presence of hanging baskets containing flowers that trail
down outside of them. Even if they don’t actually burn, many flowers
don’t enjoy extreme heat like this and you may end up losing some of
them if the fire pit is too close by.
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Install-a-Veranda is the country's leading supplier and installer
of verandas, patios, pergolas and carports. For a free consultation
please visit Patios.