Hearthside Blog

Outdoor Fire Products – So Many Options!

We’re all spending more time at home these days, and now that the weather is warming up it’s time to start planning your outdoor projects! We’ve been getting a ton of questions about outdoor fireplaces and other patio products and how they can be added (safely) to a backyard or other outdoor area.

What type of product is best? We distribute and install from local manufacturers Kingsman and Marquis Fireplaces. Our line includes fire tables, traditional fireplaces, linear contemporary fireplaces, burner trays, square and round fire pits, and sculpted concrete fire bowls. All in various sizes and finishes to suit your design needs. If you think about how you want to enjoy your outdoor fire product it will help in choosing the right type. For example, if you’re looking to sit around it but are also wanting a surface to set drinks on, then a fire table might be perfect. If your fire space is away from traditional seating in a more informal, circular pattern then a round fire bowl would work nicely. If you want to design and build your own enclosure then our burners would be best. They can be enclosed in any non-combustible frame and finishing to add that custom flair to your yard.

Quality matters outdoors! Our climate can be harsh on anything we leave exposed to the elements, and our backyards are no different. We only carry products designed and built for Manitoba weather and will stand the test of time. Our products carry zinc coated stainless burner systems, powder coated metal finishes, heavy duty glass wind guards, and strong weather covers. Many box store or online brands are not manufactured in Canada and are not tested to the same extremes. Be sure that wherever you purchase your fire products they will last so that you can enjoy them for years to come.

Natural gas or propane? Most outdoor fire products are available in natural gas or propane. If you have the ability to run a natural gas line from your meter, you will love the convenience of never having to run to the store and fill up a tank. If you aren’t in an area that has gas then a propane unit would be perfect. Propane also carries the beauty of being completely portable so you can load up your fire table, bowl, or pit and take it to the lake or camping!

Do I need a permit to add an outdoor fire product? The only time you will require a permit is if you are adding a fixed fireplace or product that will require a new natural gas line. Our on-staff gas fitter can walk you through the process of how that works and handle everything so you don’t need to worry about anything other than enjoying your new oasis.

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any other questions about how outdoor fire products can extend your patio season!

<3 Hearthside

Gas vs Electric Fireplaces

This is a conversation we have quite often with our customers. There are many benefits to both gas and electric fireplaces but answering some simple questions can help identify which may be best for you and your home.

Is your fireplace purchase based upon the need for extra heat, or is it a design choice? If you are looking for more heat, gas fireplaces tend to perform better than electrics. Even a small gas fireplace will produce as much heat as the most powerful electrics. You can think of an electric fireplace as an extra forced-air space heater in your home contributing to heat for a few hundred square feet. Remember though that with electric you can opt to turn the heat off if you just want to look at the flame. When a gas unit is on, it is always producing heat.

How much do I want to spend? Gas fireplaces tend to carry an overall higher cost as part of a project than electrics. This is because they require more planning, venting components, gas lines and permits, and take more time to install. If an installation must go up through a roof it further adds to the cost. Electric units usually only require a power line and can then be hung on a wall or inserted into an existing fireplace or frame. On average it is safe to budget twice as much for a gas fireplace than electric.

How much room do I have? Electric fireplaces have become quite popular in recent years because they have advanced in their visualize appearance, but also carry the benefit of fitting into tighter spaces. You only need 6-8 inches of wall depth for an average electric fireplace whereas a similar footprint in gas will take 16-20 inches of depth. Some electric models can also be “wall mounted” or hung up with a bracket system which requires no further construction or framing.

Which do I prefer? Often the decision simply comes down to which you like better once all other factors have been considered. Both may fit in your space, work with your budget, and be well suited to your home. There are a variety of great resources like our website to compare models virtually, but we also offer free site visits and showroom consultations to walk you through the options.

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Fireplace Feature Walls

You may have seen our social media posts about feature walls we’ve created and wondered what would be involved in getting one of your own. It’s usually simpler than you think and with so many fireplace options available today, we can almost certainly help design something to fit your space.

Feature walls are becoming more and more popular in gathering places as they tend to be the focal point of any room. Homes and public spaces alike can benefit from the addition of a fireplace feature and they are considered one of best renovations you can do to add value to a property.

The first thing we typically recommend is a site visit to view the area, take measurements, and see what we’re working with. Most times it’s the home that dictates what we can and can’t do for our customers. At this point our experts can consult with you on the benefits and differences in gas, electric, and wood fireplaces as well as wall finishings. We can also show you previous work and ideas virtually through the use of our tablet and media archive.

The cost of a feature wall project depends on many variables, but we can typically offer general estimates once we view your space and get a sense of where we’re going with certain details. We offer help on complete projects including framing, electrical, gas service, permits, and finishing. However, we are always open to adjusting our scope of work depending on our customers’ preferences and if they would like to take on any portion of the job themselves. Our number one goal at Hearthside is to turn your vision into reality through quality and value.

Long story short; don’t hesitate to contact us and book a free on-site consultation to speak about your potential feature wall project. Remember we work in Winnipeg, surrounding areas, and into cottage country. Talk soon!

<3 Hearthside