You will see small outdoor fireplace units for sale in large home improvement warehouses, or even in the grocery store, often in the spring time.  These fire pits are relatively inexpensive, and with some seating around them can be quite an inviting feature to your back yard.  To a young family, it will bring forth images of s’mores and backyard camping with the kids.  For families with older children, the teenagers will dream of parties with their friends around a fire.  It can be a joy for the entire family.

If you decide to add one of these outdoor fireplaces to your patio or yard, then make sure that you do it safely. You normally want to have about a ten foot radius around an outdoor fireplace where there is nothing that can catch fire.  Sometimes, that is a bit unrealistic because you may have a small yard or many trees and shrubs around the perimeter.  If you cannot have a complete ten foot radius, then at least make sure there is nothing directly above the fireplace and that you use a fireplace screen.  Screens can catch the small embers or sparks that fly out of a burning fire and prevent them from reaching anything flammable.  Another safety measure that you can take is to purchase an outdoor gas fireplace rather than a wood burning one.  Gas fireplaces burn in a more controlled manner and you are much less likely to have embers or sparks flying from the fire.

Adding an outdoor fireplace to your home can make a huge difference in the ambiance of your backyard space, while also creating an aesthetically pleasing area that all members of the family can enjoy.  And as an added bonus, when you are ready to sell your home, this relatively inexpensive addition can really make a big impact on potential buyers when they step out into your yard.  So, the investment you make now in an outdoor fireplace can not only add to your own enjoyment of your home, but can also boost the saleability of your home and make it stand out in the eyes of potential home buyers when it is time to move on.

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The first main difference relates to the type of fireplace you can install either indoors or out, as far as combustible materials is concerned.  When it comes to indoor fireplaces, you have an option to install indoor wood burning fireplaces, indoor gas fireplaces, indoor propane fireplaces or indoor electric fireplaces.  Outdoor fireplaces, on the other hand, are most often wood burning options, although you can choose to install an outdoor gas or propane fireplace if you wanted to.  Electric fireplaces are not typically used for outdoor purposes, however.

Another difference relates to the type of fireplace surrounds that you can use indoors or out.  When you build an outdoor fireplace, you most often are surrounding your fireplace with stone, brick or masonry, because these materials will hold up best to the weather.  You can also use tile, but it will depend on where the fireplace is located and what type of tile you use.  Indoor fireplaces, on the other hand, can be surrounded with almost any type of material you want, from marble and granite, to glass tiles, stainless steel, other types of metal, stone, and more.  An indoor fireplace has few limitations to what it can be surrounded by.

One similarity between the two, however, refers to their portability.  Not all indoor fireplaces have to be built into the wall, just as not all outdoor ones need to be.  You can choose portable indoor fireplaces that can be placed anywhere you need them to be indoors.  A portable indoor fireplace will not be wood-burning however, unless it is a wood burning stove with a proper chimney and flue (but it can’t be moved around, it is just freestanding).  An indoor electric fireplace or indoor gas fireplace, on the other hand, can be placed just about any place you want and are self-venting, so you have few limitations as to their location.  Portable outdoor fireplaces are usually more like chimineas or firepits – freestanding units that can contain a fire and can be moved around to any location you need them to be.

Other than a few differences between indoor fireplaces and outdoor ones, which mostly relate to the types of materials used to surround the firebox, and in some cases, the type of fuel source used for the fire, there is no great difference between the two.  All you need for either indoor fireplaces or outdoor ones is a firebox that can contain a fuel source (either wood logs, gas, propane, or an electric burner), and a way to vent the fireplace.  If you do not have a true wood-burning fireplace, your venting needs will not be as much as if you have a gas or electric model, but you will still need to have some way to vent the fireplace.

Adding a fireplace, either indoors or out, adds to the ambience, beauty and comfort of your home or yard.  There are quite a few more options that homeowners have when building or buying indoor fireplaces, but there are still plenty of options to choose from when it comes to installing an outdoor fireplace as well.  With so many fuel source and decorative options available, you should be able to have the outdoor or indoor fireplace of your dreams.

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One of the most enjoyable outdoor improvements you can make is to add an outdoor fireplace to your patio. When set up well, outdoor fireplaces can make it feel like you are blending the luxuries of the indoors with the open sky and fresh air of the outdoors.  When you add a patio table, a grill, and some landscaping, you may be surprised at how pleasant the area can be.  You may want to eat dinner outside almost every night.  What a great way to enjoy the nice weather during the Spring, Summer and Fall.

There are a variety of outdoor fireplaces from which to choose, but the most popular ones are the portable fire pit (or enclosed fire pit) types or the brick and mortar type that is cemented in for a sturdier presence.  The type you choose will depend on the space you have as well as what you want from it.

Portable fireplaces are great for smaller spaces or if you have a couple of sitting areas in your back yard and you want to move them back and forth.  They may also be a better option if you move often because you can take them with you.

The fixed outdoor fireplaces look and feel solid, very much like an indoor fireplace. They offer more of a presence and make the outdoor space feel more like a defined landscaped area.  You have a better opportunity to create a specific look with these because you can choose what type of stone or brick work to add to the fireplace.  They also increase the value of your property. If you are considering one of these, you may want to look into outdoor fireplace kits, as they are often less expensive.

Buy outdoor fireplaces here.

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If you’re confused about all of the different types of fireplace grates available, here is some information to help you make a decision about the best one to choose:

Cast iron fireplace grates – A cast iron fireplace grate is not only durable and long lasting due to the material it is constructed from, but it is sturdy as well.  The slots in these types of grates are typically closer together than other styles, keeping the embers off of the floor of the fireplace and allowing the fire to breathe better.

Steel bar fireplace grates – A steel bar fireplace grate is one of the most durable types of grates you can purchase.  Some are made from diamond bar steel and others from flat bar steel. and since they are so strong and durable, some models will even offer lifetime guarantees.  The openings on these types of grates are wider than on cast iron grates, but you can choose a model with an ember retainer if you prefer to keep your embers from dropping to the firebox floor.

Stainless steel fireplace grates – A stainless steel fireplace grate is not as heavy and strong as cast iron or steel bar grates, but stainless steel won’t corrode so it is a great option for outdoor fireplaces.   Stainless steel grates come in all sizes and shapes.

Self feeding fireplace grates – A self-feeding fireplace grate is  designed with an angled back so that as your firewood is stacked up and the lower pieces burn, the upper pieces will fall down into the fire to keep it burning.  This makes it less labor intensive to keep your fire burning well.  Most models of self feeding grates will be made of cast iron, with small openings between the slats.

Ember-bed fireplace grates – An ember bed fireplace grate includes a retainer along the bottom of the grate that keeps the embers from dropping down from the fireplace grate to the floor of the fireplace.  Ember bed or ember retainer grates help to keep fires burning hotter and longer because the embers stay in close proximity to the logs.

Non-tapered fireplace grates – A non tapered fireplace grate is designed so that the both sides of the grate are the same height (most fireplace grates have a higher side along the back of the grate than the front) and remain fairly open with low sides.  This works well for fireplaces that have openings on both sides, since one side is not higher than the other.

Expandable fireplace grates – Some outdoor fireplaces are larger than typical indoor fireplaces so it may be difficult to find large fireplace grates that are big enough for the firebox.  An expandable fireplace grate can solve that problem since the grate comes with extensions to make the grate as large as you need it.

Extra tall fireplace grates – An extra tall fireplace grate has longer legs than a regular fireplace grate, providing more air circulation under the fire and providing more space underneath the grate for starter wood to get the fire going in the first place.

Round fireplace grates – A round fireplace grate is a good option for outdoor fire pits.  Most are constructed from stainless steel, but you can also find round grates in cast iron or steel bar as well.

Fireplace grate heaters – A fireplace grate heater operates by having hollow tubes in the fireplace grate that capture the heat of the fire along with a blower that blows the collected heat out into the space outside of the fireplace.  Fireplace grates with blowers are designed primary for indoor fireplaces rather than outdoor fireplaces, since they are rather pricey and may not provide much added heat to an outdoor space to warrant the extra price.

There are many types of fireplace grates available, and which one you purchase may depend in part on the size and shape of your fireplace and how durable you need the grate to be.  Since you are using the grate outdoors, it is important that it can withstand the elements of the weather, but any type of heavy duty fireplace grate should suit your purposes well.

You can purchase fireplace grates at stores that sell fireplace accessories, as well as home improvement stores and big box stores (like WalMart and Target).  You can also find fireplace grates online from many retailers and if you are looking for a particular type or size of grate, this is a great way to find just what you need.  Shopping online is also a great way to compare fireplace grate prices so that you can find the best deal around.

Buy fireplace grates here.

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Log racks come in a variety of sizes and styles and their primary function is to keep wood organized and to keep it off the ground so it is not exposed to the constant moisture of the ground and insects, where it can rot.  A log rack can hold a few pieces of wood or as much as a full cord of wood at a time.  For those that use lots of wood throughout a season, log racks can be set up side by side along a wall, fence, shed, garage, or just about anywhere outdoors to store as much wood as you need.

Outdoor log racks are primarily constructed from powder-coated steel and have a very basic design.  They are streamlined structures intended solely to store wood, and are not generally intended to enhance the outdoor décor.  A log rack can be an open square or rectangular structure or a more enclosed round or arc-like structure (sometimes called a firewood or log hoop), and either style works equally well at containing cut firewood to be used in your indoor or outdoor stone fireplace or fire pit.

A fireplace log rack, on the other hand, is typically a smaller rack that is used to store a few pieces of extra wood alongside the fireplace to keep the fire burning.   Fireplace log racks can be more decorative in nature and can be used indoors or out and are much smaller in size than outdoor log racks that are intended to house large quantities of wood. A firewood log rack that is used indoors can be constructed from just about any type of material that has an opening to store a few pieces of firewood.  Log racks used indoors can be metal, wood, or can even be wicker baskets.  Firewood log racks used outdoors near outdoor stone fireplaces or fire pits, however, need to still be constructed from materials that will hold up to the elements of the weather, even if their design is more decorative in nature.

A log storage rack is a convenient way to keep your extra firewood organized neatly for use whenever you need it.  To easily move firewood from your outdoor log rack to your indoor firewood rack or directly to the fireplace, you can use a firewood tote or log holder to carry the wood comfortably and without getting dirty or subjecting yourself to splinters.

If you don’t like the look of a large log rack when you only are left with a small quantity of wood, you can order an adjustable log rack that can be made larger or smaller, depending on the quantity of wood you need to store.  This type of log rack works well if you order a large quantity of firewood at one time but then take a long time to go through it and want to keep things organized.

While a fire log rack works well to keep wood stacked neatly and to keep it off the ground so it is not exposed to moisture and insects, wood stored outdoors is still exposed to the elements of the weather.  One way to protect the wood from excessive moisture due to rain or snow is to use a log rack cover.  Log rack covers keep the wood covered while stored so the wood does not get wet and is ready to burn whenever you need it.  A log rack cover can be easily removed whenever you need to gain access to the wood stored in the log rack so you can bring it indoors or set up your fireplace to prepare for a roaring fire.  Log rack covers are a great accessory to have, since wet wood does not burn well.

If you own a wood burning fireplace, then owning a wood log rack to store your extra firewood is a useful accessory to have.  It will keep your wood organized neatly, will protect it from the moisture and insects on the ground, and if you use a log rack cover, will even keep your firewood dry when it rains or snows.  There are a number of different styles and sizes of log racks, so choosing the one that best fits your needs and your outdoor space should be an easy task.

Buy log racks here.

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Concrete blocks can be used for almost any structural purpose.  Depending on the intended use, there are different types of concrete blocks available, although basic concrete block construction is typically handled in a similar fashion.   Concrete blocks are strong, durable, easy to install, and an economic option for many types of building projects.

Concrete blocks are made from a concrete mixture comprised primarily of Portland cement mixed with sand, gravel and water.  They can also have pigmentation added to make them various colors, and can have other additives or agents included to give the blocks additional qualities.  The concrete mixture is molded into concrete block forms and then is cured and dried.   The resulting concrete blocks are low maintenance, fire resistant and can even be energy efficient.

Finishes and styles of concrete blocks can vary as well.  For example, a concrete block can be glazed to have a smooth and durable finish, can be split to have a stone like texture, or can be slotted to absorb sound, among other options.  Concrete blocks can be manufactured in a wide variety of shapes and sizes as well.  The most common type of concrete building blocks are 8” x 8” x 16”, but concrete blocks can be made larger or smaller and can come in different styles, such as concrete block bricks which are often used for patios.

So, what can you do with concrete blocks?  Traditional concrete masonry block can be used to build virtually any type of structure.    These blocks are often used to construct concrete block walls, whether those walls are being used on the side of a large building, for a garage, or even to create concrete block homes.  One very popular use for the blocks is to create a concrete block wall, as a retaining wall or as an external feature in a backyard (for example, in an outdoor kitchen or as a privacy wall alongside a patio).  Concrete retaining wall blocks are stacked on top of one another in a staggered fashion with mortar joints and create a secure and solid structure.

Another use for concrete blocks is for laying a patio.   Concrete patio blocks come in a selection of styles and decorative options and are an economical option for designing a patio in comparison to natural stone or other alternatives.  Decorative concrete blocks can be manufactured to look like bricks or other stone types and can be used to create a beautiful and functional outdoor patio.  The decorative concrete block can be laid in various patterns to create an interesting design and block paving is a popular option for patios.

Interlocking concrete blocks are a great option for building retaining walls or other solid and secure structures, or they can be used in place of interlocking pavers at a more economical cost for creating driveways, walkways and patios.   Another good use for concrete blocks is to create outdoor fireplaces at a lower cost than stone fireplaces would cost.

There are many concrete block types available to meet the needs of almost any type of outdoor construction project, so no matter what you are looking to build outdoors, you can probably find a type of concrete block available to meet your needs.  Some concrete blocks are not overly attractive, but there are others that are very decorative or have various finishes that will not only offer a strong and durable structure, but an attractive one as well.

Laying concrete blocks can be done by homeowners looking to save money on construction costs for outdoor projects.  DIY concrete block construction is not overly difficult although there are some basic steps to follow and important points to consider when building with concrete blocks.  There are a number of informative articles and videos online that can provide information on laying concrete blocks, and if you have some time and don’t mind a good deal of manual labor, then you can save yourself a lot on labor costs when building a concrete block retaining wall, laying a concrete block patio, or completing another type of building project that involves concrete blocks.

You can find concrete blocks for sale from masonry suppliers, at garden or home improvement centers, or from landscape supply companies.  A concrete block supplier will typically have the largest selection of concrete block types for sale and can usually recommend the type of block that will best meet the needs of your project.  Concrete block prices will vary depending on the type of block you choose, the size of the block, the amount you need to order, the distance they will need to be delivered (they can be rather heavy and delivery costs can add up quickly), and other factors, but concrete block cost is usually lower than using another type of product for the same job, such as pavers, stone, or bricks.

There are many uses for concrete blocks and many types of concrete blocks to choose from, depending on what you are looking to accomplish and what type of finished look you are hoping to achieve.   When it comes to outdoor projects for your backyard, patio, garden or driveway, you may want to consider concrete block construction for its versatility, durability and affordability.

Buy products related to concrete blocks here.

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