Architectural Heat

Outdoor fireplaces and firepits have become popular in the last couple of years. As an architectural amenity they have gone from rare to almost de riguer in new custom homes. Whether this is a passing fad or a permanent standard is difficult to predict. The key to longevity will be how often people really use them. In my Las Vegas home I never used the outdoor fireplace. If the evening was chilly, I was inside. Other people feel differently. I have been at parties where an outdoor firepit was a cozy focus for after-dinner conversation. Another key to success is making this feature an integral component of the architecture. If it is designed well it can be a visual focal point and a magnet for activity. Here are a few random firepit examples culled from the internet. Some are manufactured products, others are custom designs. The manufactured products availble at garden centers and furniture stores start as cheap as $400 and go up to $4000 and beyond.