Magical Winter Nights with CRE Group Inc.
The first sign of winter’s chill sends families scurrying indoors, signaling the end of another outdoor season. The pool is covered, and now the patio furniture collects dust until May. Here in the Northeast, you typically have six or seven months of pleasant weather to enjoy your backyard patio. But that need not be the case. There are many ways to extend the use of your outdoor investment deep into the cold winter months.
Fire features are one way to extend the use of your outdoor space. Whether gas-powered or wood-burning, fire elements are a very popular feature in outdoor hardscaping. However, many individuals do not use their fire features during the cold winter months, which is quite a shame, as brisk winter nights are an excellent time to enjoy the outdoors.
TURN UP THE (PATIO) HEAT
Another great way to extend the season is by using heaters. Patio heaters come in various styles, including freestanding and wall or ceiling-mounted options. They are also available in different fuel types, including propane, natural gas, and electricity. The best choice depends on your space, desired heat coverage, and installation preferences.
Freestanding propane heaters are portable and safe, allowing for flexible placement. The most common design is the “mushroom” heater, featuring tank storage at the bottom and the flame and heat deflector at the top. Another popular design is the “pyramid” style patio heater. This design also stores the tank at the bottom of the fixture, but unlike the mushroom design, the pyramid features a flame-filled vertical glass tube through the center of the heater. This design is a modern, stylish alternative to the rather unattractive mushroom design. Freestanding units are effective for heating open areas up to 20 feet in diameter, thanks to their wide heat reflectance. Freestanding units typically have wheels on one side for easy tilt-and-roll movement, so you can place the heaters where you want.
Mounted or fixed-position patio heaters are also a great way to stay warm on a cold night. Mounted heaters are permanent solutions that do not take up any floor space, making them ideal for smaller patios or inside an outdoor pavilion or pergola. Because these are permanent fixtures, installation is a little more complex and often requires professional assistance. Mounted heaters are available in electric (usually infrared), natural gas, or propane models, with electric being suitable for enclosed or covered patios since they produce no emissions. Whether it’s an open fire or a patio heater, your space can become a year-round destination, not just a summer spot.
GET COZY—OUTSIDE!
So now it’s time to stand in your house and stare out the window at the empty patio that was full of life just mere months ago. Close your eyes and imagine your family sitting around a fire pit, sipping hot chocolate, making s’mores, and making memories. Or maybe it’s a brisk evening in front of the fireplace, sitting with close friends bathed in the fire’s warm glow while sipping a nice glass of red wine. Or it’s family movie night, everyone bundled in blankets with two heaters placed nearby, creating a warm, inviting circle of light. The kids, instead of complaining about the cold, giggle and point at the stars visible between the light from the heaters. Or everyone is sitting around the table playing cards in the pavilion. The electric ceiling-mounted heater is keeping everyone toasty despite the falling outdoor temperature.
In every one of these scenarios, the same activities indoors would have been just another night, but when moved outdoors, they became something more, something different. The warm glow of the open flames or the heater created a magical space of warmth despite the frigid temperatures outside. This magic is what creates lasting memories. Contact CRE Group, and let’s create together.
