Having a fire feature installed on your property in Iowa is a great way to get the most out of your outdoor living space. Because adding a fire feature to your property is a big investment, you'll want to ensure you've considered all crucial factors to ensure your fire feature is what you envisioned it to be. First, consider if you want the compact charm of a fire pit or the grandiose beauty of an outdoor fireplace. Second, choose whether you want the control of designing a custom fire feature or the convenience of using a pre-designed kit. Third, decide if you want natural gas, propane, or wood to fuel your fire feature.

1. Do you want a fire pit or an outdoor fireplace?

When investing in a fire feature, the first thing you need to decide is whether you want a fire pit or an outdoor fireplace. Both are great options and feature distinct advantages, so it all comes down to your person preference. Here's how fire pits and outdoor fireplaces differ:

  • Fire Pits: A fire pit is the smaller fire feature between the two and it is the ideal choice for smaller properties. It can accommodate more people because its open design allows more guests to sit around it and enjoy the warmth of the fire.
  • Outdoor Fireplaces: If you want something more grandiose, an outdoor fireplace is the way to go. This fire feature can be a great statement piece on your property. Unlike fire pits, this option is better suited to smaller groups of people since it only provides heat directly in front of it.

2. Do you want a custom fire feature or would you rather go with a pre-designed kit?

Another factor you need to consider before investing in a fire feature is if you want to create a custom fire feature from scratch or if you would rather choose from a pre-designed kit option. If you have a clear idea of how you want your fire feature to look, a custom design might be the way to go. With this choice, you have more control over the size, materials, and other details of your fire feature. However, if you're unsure where to start with designing your fire pit or fireplace, then there are pre-designed kit options that are available for you to choose from! These kits come in pre-designed layouts and you can just choose the option that you like best!

3. What fuel do you want your fire feature to burn?

The last thing you must consider for your fire feature is what type of fuel you want it to burn. Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces can be fueled by natural gas, propane, or wood. Natural gas-burning fire features offer convenience because you can start the fire with a flick of a switch, and there's no additional cleanup required after use. The same goes for propane-burning fire features; their only difference is that propane-burning ones are more portable and run utilize propane tanks that need to be replaced every once in a while. Your other choice is to use wood to fuel the fire. Wood-burning fire pits boast the timeless charm of outdoor camping, where you tend to the fire throughout the night. All three of these options are great, it all comes down to your personal preference.

The smoke from wood-burning fire pits is a natural mosquito deterrent!

Give us a call today to set up a consultation for our fire feature installation service!

If you want to incorporate a fire feature into your outdoor living space, you've come to the right place. Our team at ETCH Outdoor Living proudly offers our fire pit and outdoor fireplace installation services to commercial and residential properties, as well as HOAs, in Ankeny, Johnston, Urbandale, IA, and nearby areas. We offer both custom fire features as well as pre-designed kit options, and they can be fueled by gas, propane, or wood. Give us a call today at (515) 654-5447 to set up a consultation for our fire feature installation service.