BostonBrick.com: The Perfect Season for Outdoor Fireplaces

Today as I walked my dog, my usual meditations while pacing the neighborhood were distracted by the familiar floral scents that have been missing from the environment for several months. The chill has left the air and the rains are slowing down. Springtime is coming once again to Los Angeles. Yes, Los Angeles does have seasons; their arrival and departure are just not as dramatic as that of our neighbors to the north and east.

This means warm days and cool evenings that require more then a sweater. An outdoor fireplace is the perfect solution to taking the chill off a spring or summer evening. It is like having a luxury campfire with comfortable chairs and chaise lounges. There are no rock digging into your backside and there is a bathroom only steps away. There are no heavy knapsacks or coolers to lug. Food can be as extravagant as your tastes and cooking talents allow. At the end of the evening there is always the promise of S’mores and the comfort of your own bed.

I am often asked if we are still allowed to build new fireplaces both indoors and out. The answer is a most definite yes. If you need to rebuild your old fireplace and chimney, and you keep it in the same footprint (location) then a new or restored fireplace and chimney can be built. If the old fireplace was wood burning then the rebuilt fireplace can be wood burning.

This was the first question Boston Brick & Stone asked the AQMD when their rules changed. We have an official document from the AQMD that we have used to get local permits to rebuild wood burning fireplaces and chimneys.

If you want to add a new fireplace to your home either inside or out, according to the AQMD rules it cannot be wood burning. Though there are alternatives to gas logs, they are a very popular choice. There are many gas log choices now from traditional to ultra modern. The restrictions, aside from the size of your budget, are the size and design of the fireplace. You can even order fake ash and cinders to scatter under the grate to give a more authentic look to your fireplace.

National S’mores day is August 10th. Wouldn’t it be fun to char the marshmallows in your own outdoor fireplace and consume them while sitting back and taking in the glow of the flames on a cool August evening? I have it on good authority that licking your fingers is required etiquette after eating S’mores.