One of the fastest growing trends in the U.S. today is the concept of outdoor living. People all over the country are creating outdoor living spaces that extend the comforts of the home into the backyard. Lounge chairs, an eating area, and a chiminea or fire pit for cooking are typically all you need to get started, while installing additional fixtures such as outdoor fireplaces or windscreens will allow you to enjoy the space all year round.

If you’ve never had a chiminea or fire pit before, we recommend that you start with a low-maintenance product that is easy to assemble, care for, and use. Deeco in particular makes a number of unique outdoor heating products that match these criteria, so let’s turn our spotlight on a few of the more popular items from this manufacturer.

Deeco Western Basket Weave Jr. Chiminea
This is an attractive cast aluminum chiminea with an antique bronze finish. It features a basket weave motif and a hinged screen door for quick access to the fire. At just 43 inches tall, this particular chiminea is the perfect solution for smaller spaces where full-sized outdoor fireplaces simply won’t fit.

Deeco Chateau Merlot Outdoor Fire Pit
Fire pits don’t get more elegant than this! The Chateau Merlot is an attractive fire pit that will instantly draw the attention of anyone that enters your outdoor living space. The bowl, which is finished in antique copper, boasts a classic design of grape clusters and scrolling vines and the dome-shaped spark screen allows for a 360-degree view while preventing stray embers from creating a nuisance.

Deeco Sierra Swirl Fire Pit
The Sierra Swirl fire pit appeals to customers that prefer simplicity and function. The understated swirl pattern redirects your focus from the bowl to the flames, and the durable cast iron construction ensures that you will be able to enjoy the product for many years. Plus, unlike outdoor fireplaces that must remain in one place, the Sierra Swirl is portable and can be moved around with relative ease.

Deeco European Vineyard Chiminea
If you’re put off by the thought of how much maintenance is required for typical outdoor fireplaces, then you’ll love this Deeco European Vineyard chiminea. Its size allows you to build up a roaring fire that can be used for cooking or for warmth, while its cast aluminum construction keeps it lightweight enough to allow you to adjust its position according to wind changes or a simple desire to rearrange the patio.

Outdoor living is fun for the whole family, and once you get started, you’ll want to spend as many evenings as possible under the stars. Transform your outdoor space into a natural extension of your home by adding a Deeco chiminea or fire pit from Mantels Direct today.

According to top real estate agencies home sales stay strong from late April to early August. If your home is for sale and you haven’t had a buyer come knocking it may be a good idea to make a few small, affordable updates that get people excited about your home and make your home stand out.

MantelsDirect.com has been helping homeowners update their fireplaces making a elegant impact on their family rooms and living rooms for nearly ten years.

Buying a home is an emotional decision and fireplaces affect everyone, even if they never throw a log on the fire. A buyer imagines it being used, whether it is a mental image of an old Norman Rockwell painting, Christmas stockings hung on the mantel, or a romantic evening snuggled up to a loved one in front of a flickering or roaring fire.

Homebuyers will focus on your fireplace. Your fireplace could affect whether they make an offer on your home. Or not make an offer. Or offer less money. You might want to update your fireplace.

Fireplace mantel shelves are available in several wood types, including: Alder, Cherry, Douglas Fir, Hemlock, Maple, MDF, Oak, Pine, and Poplar. MantelsDirect.com offers several finishes to compliment each wood type. Mantel Shelves are available in standard and custom sizes. You will find that all of our fireplace mantel shelves are easy-to-install. In most cases, adjustable brackets are available to complement your selection. Adding a fireplace mantel shelf is a easy, affordable way to bring elegance and décor to any family room. See our before and after pictures:

If you are looking to create a statement than you should consider updating your home with a fireplace mantel surround. Mantel surrounds are available in wood, stone, marble, timber, and cabinet styles. Mantel surrounds are designed to overlap your fireplace facing material and provide a finished transition between wall, facing, and firebox. Fireplace mantel surrounds are easy to install, with only a few tools and limited skills, you can quickly install your mantel kit and makeover your living space. Adding a fireplace mantel surround will not only make your home standout from others potential buyers will be looking at it could help close the deal!

When setting up your outdoor living space, one of the toughest choices you have to make is what kind of hearth product to buy. Should you go with a simple fire pit that is good for cooking but may be a bit too small to generate enough warmth for the coldest nights? Or should you instead buy one of those large outdoor fireplaces that will keep you toasty but can be a bit awkward to cook with? Some folks try one or the other and wind up regretting whatever decision they made, while others leave nothing to chance and buy both a fire pit and a fireplace just to be safe.

If you’re currently wrangling with this issue, we invite you to take a look at the Buschbeck outdoor fireplaces that we carry. Buschbeck outdoor fireplaces are uniquely designed for both warming and cooking applications. They come with a spacious firebox that not only provides you with ample room for wood burning, but also allows for easy grilling. With Buschbeck, you will no longer need a separate fire pit and heating apparatus in order to enjoy cozy meals in the yard because a single unit does it all.

Other great features of Buschbeck outdoor fireplaces include:

• Easy installation. All Buschbeck outdoor fireplaces come with an illustrated manual giving you step-by-step assembly instructions. If you’ve got a few basic tools on hand and a strong friend to help you out, you can finish this DIY project in no time.
• Maintenance-free operation. The last thing anyone wants to do after buying a fire pit or fireplace is spend all their time cleaning and maintaining it. That’s why customers are thrilled to learn that the Buschbeck products we sell are maintenance free, requiring nothing more than a quick rinse with a hose at the end of the season to keep them running like new.
• Quality construction. Unlike a cheap fire pit that will be ready for the scrap heap after a couple of years, Buschbeck outdoor fireplaces are built to last. They are made from concrete and finished with quartz for a rugged look that requires no additional painting or treatment, and all components except the chimney are reinforced with steel for extra durability.
• Wood or charcoal burning. Your Buschbeck product is versatile enough to burn wood or charcoal. Use it as is for wood, or add a stainless steel grate/ash box accessory for those times when you’d rather cook with charcoal.

Homeowners have been engaged in the fire pit versus fireplace debate ever since the outdoor living movement took hold. Instead of putting yourself at risk of choosing the wrong product, consider Buschbeck outdoor fireplaces as an alternative. You’ll get all the warmth of a fireplace with the ease of fire pit grilling in a single fixture, which is truly the best of both worlds.

Is your fireplace looking a little tired? Or does your builder’s mantel still look as dull as it did when you moved in? You know the fireplace is the perfect focal point in any room. However, if your not happy with your current fireplace, it can be hard to design around it. By updating and re-facing your current mantel, you can give your fireplace and overall room a facelift.

• Cast stone mantels are lightweight, easy to install, and much more affordable than traditional solid stone mantels. Stone mantels are fire resistant and allow for zero clearance from combustible material (no space required between firebox and mantel) making it the perfect choice for gas and wood fireplaces.
• Marble mantels are classically designed and will add a touch of elegance to any space. Marble mantels are available in a variety of sizes, designs, and colors.
• Traditional wood mantels create a statement of style and craftsmanship. MantelsDirect.com offers wood mantels in cherry, maple, and oak. Wood mantels are designed to overlap your facing material and provide a finished transition between wall, facing, and firebox. Wood mantels are easy to install with just a few tools and limited skill, you can quickly install your mantel kit.

Replacing your fireplace mantel is an easy, affordable, and a quick way to bring style and spark to your home. See real before and after pictures from our customers:

Before

After

If you’ve ever spent a night in the great outdoors, then you know nothing tops the fun of sitting around a campfire with friends or family while cooking hot dogs and roasting marshmallows over an open flame. People of all ages are instinctively attracted to campfires because they provide the perfect setting for raucous stories, intimate chats, and genuine bonding.

Although traditional campfires are banned from most residential backyards due to safety hazards, you can create the same type of atmosphere with fire pit rings. Fire pit rings are simple appliances that give you the warmth and glow of a natural gas fire without any of the dangers or hassles associated with building real campfires. Plus, unlike a full-sized fire pit, fire pit rings are designed to fit in smaller areas, making them suitable for any outdoor space.

Additional benefits of fire pit rings include:

• Easy installation. To begin enjoying your product, simply place the burner assembly on a flat surface, spread the decorative glass embers around the interior of the pan, and connect the unit to a gas supply line.
• Customizable exterior. Whereas a typical fire pit comes with a permanent bowl design that may or may not match your existing décor, you can fully customize fire pit rings to suit your tastes. Surround the ring with rocks, bricks, stone slabs, or any other material of your choice to get the exact look you desire.
• Durability. The Patioflame fire pit rings we carry are made of weather-resistant stainless steel that will give you reliable performance in all environments for years and years to come.
• Powerful heat output. A full-sized fire pit or fireplace isn’t the only way to enjoy a warm blaze outdoors. With an output of 60,000 BTUs, our fire pit rings will generate nice, toasty flames all year round.

As if those features weren’t enough, fire pit rings are also affordable, use less energy than a regular fire pit, and instantly beautify any patio or deck. Order one for yourself today so you can experience all the joys of a cozy natural fire anytime you want!

German engineering is revered the world over because of a long list of products that seamlessly integrate form and function while adhering to the strictest quality standards around. From the graceful lines of a Montblanc fountain pen to the iconic contours of a Porsche Boxster, consumers are assured of getting peerless performance and superior style whenever they see a “Made in Germany” label.

This phenomenon isn’t just limited to luxury goods, either. It extends to outdoor fireplaces as well, which is why we’re proud to offer our customers a wide selection of Buschbeck products imported straight from Germany. Our expanded Buschbeck lineup now includes clean burning, environmentally friendly bio ethanol fireplaces that incorporate the very latest in “green” technology to help reduce your carbon footprint even as you enjoy the warm glow of a fire in your home or backyard.

Bio ethanol fireplaces differ from traditional indoor and outdoor fireplaces in many ways. The following points highlight the most significant differences.

No gas line or chimney required
Since bio ethanol fireplaces run on ethanol-based biofuel, you do not have to hook the unit up to an external gas line in order to produce real flames that flicker and dance just like those of a wood fire. Moreover, because biofuel burns cleanly, there are no odors, smoke, or emissions of any kind to deal with, making a chimney or other ventilation system unnecessary.

Indoor or outdoor use
Buschbeck bio ethanol fireplaces are completely portable, which means you can use them in any room of your home. Put your fireplace in the den for a cozy evening in front of the TV with your family or move it to the living room to serve as a conversation piece when you have guests. Or, if you’re thinking of entertaining outdoors, you can use your Buschbeck just as easily on the patio or deck. Try getting this much versatility out of traditional outdoor fireplaces!

Breathtaking designs
As beautiful as some outdoor fireplaces are, they simply cannot compare to the ultra-sleek, contemporary designs of Buschbeck bio ethanol fireplaces. The Fire Dance Series includes top sellers such as the Boston, Crystal, and Cube models. These stunning designs, which feature nearly invisible safety glass and stainless steel combustion boxes, will bring elegance and class to any home or office.

Just remember: you don’t need to have a luxury car in your driveway to experience the wonders of German engineering. With their exacting standards, modern styling, and exceptional workmanship Buschbeck bio ethanol fireplaces bring you the quality and looks you expect at a price you can afford. Treat yourself to one of these marvels today!

Whether your building a new home or updating your current residence adding a cast stone mantel to your space will add a design element that is exquisite. There are several advantages of stone fireplace mantels; durability and low maintenance are just a few. Considering that cast stone is a non-combustible material, stone mantels tend to be a safer option. MantelsDirect.com offers a collection of cast stone mantels that are easy to install because they are lighter in weight than traditional solid stone mantels. Classic Stone Mantels are offered in over 31 styles and a variety of color options. MantelsDirect.com provides step-by-step directions for choosing the best cast stone mantel for your space; their expert customer care staff is available for extra assistance. Classic Stone Mantels create a dramatic and appealing effect, which will wow your guests. Adding a stone mantel to your home will create a focal point that will be enjoyed for years to come.

If you’re looking for an affordable fire pit in an attractive package, then Dagan is the brand for you. Dagan combines the very best features of outdoor fireplaces, such as superior steel construction, weather resistance, artistic design, and easy operation, with budget-friendly prices so consumers never have to sacrifice quality in the name of savings. In addition, every product from this manufacturer offers fantastic 360-degree views of the fire for maximum enjoyment from any vantage point, and comes with essential accessories like a wood poker and cover so you can begin using it right out of the box.

While each model in this line has its merits, these are our personal favorites:

• Pagoda. Bring a touch of the Orient into your backyard with this lovely pagoda design. The domed roof gives this fire pit an authentic Asian look, while the window screens add an extra element of safety without impeding your view. Pair this pagoda with some stone lanterns or crane statues to further emphasize the Eastern theme in your yard.
• Natural Slate Tile Top. This is an elegant fire pit that would look right at home in yards with lots of brick or masonry accents. The ring of natural slate blends well with stone walls, brick walkways, and tiled patios to help maintain a consistent decorating scheme overall.
• Steel Flame. Small outdoor fireplaces never looked so good! The bowl features a mesmerizing pattern of flames that will serve as the perfect backdrop for every fire you light. The brown finish is best suited to yards where earth tones dominate or where a rustic ambience is desired.
• Bronze Cast Iron Table. For those that crave the bright blaze of outdoor fireplaces without the expense, we recommend this beautiful Bronze Cast Iron Table. The 42-inch diameter accommodates large wood fires, while the classic styling ensures compatibility with your existing décor. This fire pit would make an excellent centerpiece at any backyard gathering.

The above is just a small sampling of the products we carry from this manufacturer. No matter what your taste, chances are we’ve got a Dagan fire pit you’ll love. Browse our entire online selection of outdoor fireplaces and fire pits, and bring home your favorite design today.

Summer is nearing and spending time outdoors enjoying the fresh air, catching up with family and friends is worth looking forward too! MantelsDirect.com has a new line of fire pits from Patina Products, a laid back company from the coast of California. Where warm days and cool nights make outdoor living second nature to the Patina Products team.

Their line of handcrafted steel fire pits are well-built and are delivered to your door fully assembled. Each uniquely designed fire pit comes standard with a spark guard, cooking/BBQ grill, fire poker, and protective weather cover. Choose from their classic Pacific Coast Fire Pit, their fun, kid-friendly Safari themed fire pit, or the Patina Mardi Gras design for added flare. All Patina Products fire pits come standard with a 5-year warranty!