Fireplace Tips for Choosing the Right Plant for Your Backyard or Patio Studio City

Local Chimney Cleaning Studio City — Consider how cozy it would be to stay in your backyard on a chilly, starry night. Investing in a clay or cast iron fireplace is one way to do so. A fireplace is a modern version of a traditional Mexican outdoor fireplace. It is made of wood and is heated by a fire. For hundreds of years, this sort of outdoor fireplace has been used as a source of warmth and a cooking area. Many backyards now have them as sources of warmth and decorative pieces that lend beauty to a patio or garden.

Chimines are formed of clay, aluminum, and cast iron, among other materials. It all comes down to what style best suits your patio or backyard, as well as how much money you’re ready to spend. (Note: There are several accepted spellings for a Mexican fireplace. The common spellings are: chiminea, chimenea, chiminia, chimenia.)

Choosing a Clay Fireplace

When choosing a clay fireplace, you should look to see if the fireplace was air-dried or kiln-dried. In general, an air-dried fireplace is usually “untreated.” This means you would need to paint it and seal it before use. Kiln-dried versions are typically prepainted and sealed.

Clay fireplaces are constructed in two pieces. The bottom piece, called the “bowl” is the largest piece, and looks like a potbelly stove. The smokestack, or “neck” is attached separately on top of the bowl. The joint where the two pieces come together is usually rather weak, so you should never lift a clay fireplace from the neck.

In general, clay fireplaces are not designed to handle large fires for extended periods of time. They are also more likely to crack and break than a cast iron or aluminum model.

Finally, remember that a clay fireplace is nothing but a combination of water and dirt. If you let it sit in water long enough, it will turn back into mud. Therefore, cover it during rainstorms and never let your clay fireplace sit in a pool of water!

Cast Iron and Aluminum Fireplace

In general, a cast iron or aluminum fireplace is more durable and sturdy than a clay version. Although they tend to be heavier than clay models, they won’t crack or break as easily. However, they will need occasional maintenance.

For example, if you leave a cast iron fireplace outside long enough, it will rust. Rust is a normal occurrence, so if you sand out the rust spots and paint them as they appear, your fireplace should give you many years of enjoyment.

Cast aluminum models are relatively low maintenance, lighter in weight than cast iron, and also rust-resistant. Therefore, painting and sanding is not necessary.

What to Look for in All Fireplace

Pay particular attention to the size of the fire bowl area while shopping for a Mexican fireplace. This is where you’ll put the wood to burn, so make sure it’s big enough to hold the bigger chunks of wood. The fire bowl’s size is more significant than the neck’s height.

A spark arrestor for your fireplace is another something to think about. Putting a mesh screen over the chimney hole to prevent sparks from escaping is known as a spark arrestor. A spark arrestor for the front of the fire bowl is also an option.

A modern Mexican fireplace is a great addition to any backyard, both as a source of heat and as a decorating accent piece. Make your choice between clay, cast iron, and cast aluminum models. With a little yearly care, you will have a wonderful conversation piece for your patio or backyard. Plus, you will have a romantic and charming way to stay warm as you gaze into the sky on a cool and starry night.