Outdoor Fireplace Landscaping Ideas
Choosing the Right Natural Stone for an Outdoor Fireplace
An outdoor fireplace is an uncommon sight, but when designed and built the right way, it can add enhance the aesthetic appeal of your backyard landscape and increase the market value of your home. However, in order to extract maximum value from this unique landscaping idea, it is important that you select the right material that not only complements your home’s architecture and surrounding landscape, but is also strong and durable to offer you lasting value.
Natural stone, because of its unique colors and textures and excellent durability, is preferred over bricks, stucco, and other materials that are commonly used in the construction of indoor fireplaces. So, if you are ready to add this unique hardscaping element to your landscape design, here are a few options that will make the right choice for your outdoor fireplace.
1. Granite
Exceptionally hard and resistant to scratching, granite offers you unparalleled strength and durability. The natural stone has a distinctive appearance that is sure to enhance the look and feel of your backyard landscape. However, it is important to learn that it is a porous material, which means that it can absorb liquids and catch stains very quickly. Therefore, if you are considering using granite for your outdoor fireplace, you will be required to apply a protective layer of a good sealant in order to preserve its pristine look.
2. Marble
Marble’s inherent beauty and its aesthetically pleasant, unusual texture make it the preferred choice of homeowners who want to make an outdoor fireplace the cornerstone of their landscape design. However, the elegant and sophisticated look of marble is prone to damage by a number of environmental reasons. It has a crystalline structure, which means that it can be easily scratched. Also, it is sensitive to acidic substances which may etch the surface and cause discoloration. Therefore, make sure that you keep the maintenance needs of marble fireplace under consideration and invest in it only if you have the time and resources to take good care of your investment.
3. Limestone
The primary benefit of choosing limestone for your outdoor fireplace is that it is highly versatile and can work with different designs, styles, and themes. The stone has a warm, natural look which makes it the right choice for homes with a more elegant look. Probably the only drawback of this stone is that it can adsorb liquids easily and is soft to touch which makes it vulnerable to scratching and staining. Therefore, you will be required to seal the surface in order to preserve its natural spotless beauty and smooth finish.
To conclude, outdoor fireplaces make a smart landscaping investment as they not only offer you warmth during cooler months of the year, but also brighten up the space and make your backyard landscape more accessible and livable at night.
