Category Archives: Fire Features

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15 Jan

Build a Backyard Hangout with These Ideas

Author Sam Hickey Categories Design Inspiration, Fire Features, Outdoor Decor, Pergolas

You don’t have to settle for an empty backyard when there are many backyard hangout ideas to inspire your outdoor space. On a hot day, you can add some shade in your backyard to create a homely feeling. In this guide, we’ll look at some of the ideas to adopt in your backyard to make it more appealing for midday and evening hangouts.

Create the perfect backyard hangout with these outdoor living ideas! #Creekstone #outdoorliving #CreekstoneOutdoors Share on X

Everybody’s dream on a sunny day is to get a cool shade. Have you ever thought about making your outdoor living space the best with pergolas and fire pits? Your customized shade will not only be of use during summer but also in winter. You can add some lights to make it the best place to relax in the evenings.

Here are some of the ideas that will help you create a beautiful backyard for hangouts.

Pergolas

Give your outdoor living space a more appealing appearance by installing a pergola. It resembles unfinished structures built with a roof and vertical beam. Pergolas don’t have solid tops but can add charm to your backyard. You can even hang some planter boxes on the pergola to improve its curb appeal.

Pro Tip: A pergola will protect you from direct sun rays, but you will have to look for an alternative shelter when the rain starts to pour.

Fire Pits

Adding a fire pit to your backyard brings more beauty to your outdoor living space. You can choose to go for a wood or stone fire pit. Both will bring a delightful and remarkable focal point to your home, even when it is not in use. A fireplace will also increase your home’s value since many potential homeowners consider it when buying a new home.

Lighting

Lighting should be the number one priority to create an impressive backyard. It ensures security and adds texture to your outdoor space with the interchanging shadows and light rays. Think of path lighting, which illuminates walkways and garden edgings. Consider installing lighting systems that you can customize depending on mood.

Creating Your Dream Outdoor Living Space

Implementing the right backyard hangout ideas will help you customize your space to fulfill all your needs. Don’t wait for summers to sit in your backyard. Adding these cool lights and fire pits will make the place look more enticing and welcoming.

Contact us to get more ideas for building a backyard hangout.

16 Aug

Using Your Outdoor Fire Pit Safely Near Your Houston Pool

Author Sam Hickey Categories Fire Features, Outdoor Lifestyle, Outdoor Safety

What custom backyard is complete without a fire pit? An open flame adds an exotic feel to your backyard parties and chases away mosquitoes with a light cloud of smoke. However, it’s always important to remember that at the end of the day, an open flame is still an open flame and must be handled with care. As you design your backyard features, keep fire pit safety at the forefront of your mind.

As cool as a fire pit is, if not handled correctly, it has the potential to be a dangerous addition to your backyard. Make sure that you and anyone else who will be using the firepit knows how to safely light, manage, and extinguish a fire. Use this guide to keep yourself and your partygoers safe while the fire pit is in use.

Your backyard fire pit can either be the coolest addition to your outdoor paradise, or the most dangerous. Here’s how to stay safe while using your fire pit. Share on X

Remove Flammable Materials

Before lighting your fire pit, take a look at the area surrounding it. Is there anything that could potentially catch fire if sparks blew in that direction? Sweep twigs or other flammable debris out of the way to prevent the fire from spreading. A five-foot radius is a good rule of thumb. Additionally, double-check what you and others near the fire pit are wearing. Don’t wear clothing with long, loose parts (such as ties or scarves) that can hang into the fire pit if you lean too close.

Pro Tip: Many homeowners enjoy having furniture around the firepit to facilitate conversation. Make sure all the furniture you use for this is either flame-retardant or made of entirely fireproof materials.

Pay Attention to What’s Fueling the Fire

In general, there are a few flammable items that you should never use as fuel for your fire pit:

  • Gasoline or other flammable liquids: These can splash out of the fire pit and present a serious hazard.
  • Paper or trash: Burning paper has a tendency to pop and throw sparks out of the fire pit.
  • Soft woods (cedar, pine, etc.): Like paper, these woods can pop and spark in a fire.

Extinguish the Fire Carefully

When you’re ready to put out the fire, douse the fire pit in water and stir the ashes with a shovel to make sure every coal is extinguished. As you clean the ashes out, be mindful of their temperature and how to properly dispose of them. Ashes can still retain enough heat to start a fire if exposed to flammable materials even after a couple of days. When you dispose of the ashes, avoid packing them in a cardboard box or paper bag to prevent spontaneous combustion.

Handling an Open Flame Safely

Fire pits are constructed with basic safety precautions in mind, so the chances of something going drastically wrong are low. However, managing the fire safely also depends on you to exercise caution and keep everything under control. With a little care and regards for fire pit safety, your fire feature is a perfectly safe and enjoyable addition to your backyard.

Join the conversation to learn more about safely handling fire features in your backyard.