With our area’s recent chilly days, we thought it was time to discuss ways to warm up those outdoor areas that we Floridians love so much. Deciding between a fireplace and fire pit is a decision that we find ourselves discussing in many of our custom homes. Both have great features for providing warmth, light and enjoyment, but there are some key differences.
As a Tampa home builder, we have learned that it comes down to a few key questions to make this decision work best for each homeowner.
- How many people are you looking to have around the fire? A fireplace is ideal for a few people (less than 4), but a fire pit is better for larger groups. The 360 design of the firepit provides more seating like a camp fire setting.
- What kind of mood or atmosphere are you trying to create? If you’re going for the romantic, cozy setting – then the fireplace is best. If your aim is for a more social setting with storytelling and s’mores eating, then the fire pit typically is the better choice.
- Does your property have a view that you want to focus attention? If you have a fantastic water view overlooking the bay or gulf, a fire pit is low to the ground and won’t compete with the view. If you would prefer a new focal point outdoors, then a fireplace’s height and mass, along with all its decorative elements (hearth and mantel) may be the better choice.
- How do you feel about an open flame and smoke? If you get nervous or feel unsafe around an open fire or if smoke bothers you, a fire pit may not be the best choice. With a fireplace, the smoke is directed up and away and flames are contained with the fireplace.
Both fireplaces and fire pits are great choices. If you’d like to learn more about how you can make the best choice for yourself, watch the short video below or contact us.
Follow us on our Blog & Social Networks -
Javic Blog: http://javichomes.wordpress.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/javichomes
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/javichomes
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jon-solomon/4/547/660
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/jondsolomon?feature=mhum
Comments(5)