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"A
three-hour seminar isn't
enough knowledge to jump
into it," says Jeffrey Ingrassia,
owner of AquaFX and Outdoor
LivingFX in Mt. Sinai, New York.
"These structures can create an
unsafe hazard if not constructed
properly, whether it's too close
to a roof line or if there's an im-
proper gas line connection that
could cause damage to fixtures."
From the design to materials
used, here are tips for construct-
ing sturdy, safe and stunning
fire features.
Design concerns
Blunkosky offers both wood and
gas fire features, which are all
custom built. For clients looking
for more flexibility in the design,
he suggests fire pits, which
aren't considered a structure in
Pittsburgh.
With pits, he sometimes adds
a surrounding entertainment
space that recesses into the
ground to create a different area
within the overall project. To
be safe, he installs the fire pits
at least 20 feet away from the
house.
Unlike fire pits or rings,
fireplaces will require additional
attention to placement, design
and construction, Blunkosky
says. The install team will need
to be familiar with local building
codes to make sure the fireplace
is the proper distance from other
structures.
For wood-burning fireplaces,
he makes sure they are at least
9 feet tall. So, it's important to
address the features height in
the overall design. "If you place
it in an area with nothing else
that's tall in size, it stands out
like a sore thumb," Blunkosky
says. "Put it where there's a
hillside, backdrop, sitting wall or
something that's going to help
transition it."
After deciding on its location,
the crew can start to prep the
site and construct the fireplace.
"The most crucial part about
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Keep the fire feature as close to the main seating area as possible, and try to include a water
feature to create a perfect gathering spot, says Jeffrey Ingrassia, owner of Outdoor LivingFX.
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LIVINGFX
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