Fall has arrived! The summer heat and humidity have moved on to the south and the annoying mosquitoes and other insects are starting to die off. The spectacular colors of the trees and the autumn flowers are breath-taking. It would be such a great time to sit on your patio enjoying the crisp air and the gorgeous colors - if it wasn’t so chilly!

But you have alternatives to sitting inside and gazing out at your lovely but unusable patio. A fire feature can provide the warmth you need to enjoy your patio well into the fall. You can choose between temporary and permanent fire features. There are pros and cons to each type.

Temporary fire pits offer a number of advantages. They are portable, so you can move them among multiple seating areas on your patio. They’re less expensive than permanent fire features. However, they’re also smaller and generally less attractive than a permanent feature. Temporary fire pits can range from the traditional barbecue type grill to a cast iron or copper round fire pit, a chiminea made of metal or terra cotta, or a Sojoe fire pit.

Permanent fire features are more expensive, but they can be designed to enhance the look of your patio and surrounding landscape. Although the fire pit isn’t portable, it can function as the focal point of one section of your patio or the entire area if that’s what you prefer. A landscaping designer can help you determine whether you want to install a gas or wood-burning fire feature. Fire pits are the most common design, although traditional fireplaces are becoming a popular outdoor fire feature.

Consulting with a landscaping company designer will help you determine the type of fire feature that will work best for your patio, landscape and budget. Then you can start enjoying the beauty of fall outdoors on your patio, rather than simply observing it from inside your home.

Tags: Annapolis, Annapolis Landscaping, Edgewater, Fall Planting, fire features, Landscape Annapolis, maryland