ENJOYING YOUR BACKYARD ...
... and your balcony, even when temperatures drop and summer is truly a thing of the past
... even when the weather cools
Montreal winters can be brutal, and it may be hard to imagine spending time outdoors voluntarily during those frigid months. But today ’s options in outdoor heating can make it possible to extend your season well into fall and early on into springtime. In fact, with the right accessories integrated into your landscape, you can be outside all year long!
From freestanding warming units, outdoor fireplaces, spas and saunas, to heaters that can be incorporated into everything including gazebos as well as paths and walkways, heating technology has ushered in a new way of living that is allowing homeowners the chance to enjoy Mother Nature 365 days a year.
Glenn Curtis is a landscaping expert and owner of Plantenance, and he said they’ve been pushing their clients to consider designing their outdoor spaces with a variety of different heating elements to get better use of these exterior areas.
“We’re encouraging them to invest a bit more to get a much longer season — sometimes all year,” he said.
This includes incorporating fireplaces, which are very popular, especially if they are built into a pavilion structure or are partially walled in. These fireplaces closely resemble their interior counterparts, and can be stylistically sound, with a myriad of designs from which to choose — particularly the double-sided units, a go-to with homeowners that can be enjoyed from either side. “They are warm and cosy – perfect for outdoor living.”
Fire tables and fire bowls are also great options for extending your time outside. Not only are they stylish but practical, too, and they can be an ideal choice for smaller areas, like condo patios and balconies. (Just be sure to check with your condo board’s rules and regulations.)
While some boroughs have banned the use of wood-burning fireplaces, there are other eco-friendly choices when it comes to outdoor fireplaces. Rachel Mendoza is the marketing manager of EcoSmart Fire, and they manufacture ethanol-burning fireboxes and fireplaces. She said their products are in demand more than ever as homeowners push to extend their seasons outside.
“Ethanol is made from corn so it’s clean-burning with no soot, smoke, or ashes,” she said. “Our product line consists of fireboxes that can be installed into walls, with several different stainless-steel boxes in our new Flex series, which includes 150 configurations.”
The most popular designs are, once again, double-sided so you can see through the fireplace, along with bay fireplaces with two exposed glass sides and peninsulas, which are one-sided. EcoSmart also carries fire burners, which can be customized to fit any residential setting, and fire tables or firepits, which can be fuelled with natural gas, propane or ethanol.
Other UV heating systems are popular go-to options for exterior spaces. They are often mounted on top of a structure and they then warm the air around them, allowing clients to comfortably sit outside no matter what the temperature is.
“We do a lot of fixed UV systems, but there are portable ones, too,” Curtis said. These personal warming units are often combined with other heating features. “We do a lot of radiant heat in pavers and other surfaces, such as stairs,” he added. This eliminates the need for shovelling, as everything is heated from underneath and melts the snow on contact when the weather dips below zero.
“It’s usable year-round and can be used for the pathway to a spa or a barbecue. Because, after all, there’s really nothing like grilling in wintertime or relaxing in a hot tub while the snow falls.”
Having a cover overhead can protect you from rain and snow as well. There are different choices, such as roofed porches and sunrooms, as well as gazebos. These can be custom-built to the homeowner’s requirements and, design-wise, they can become the focal point of an outdoor landscape.
In addition to the necessities for wintertime enjoyment, there’s also the esthetics of a space to consider; no one wants to look at dead, dried plants and trees. Curtis pointed out the wide range of plant options that offer colour and life well into fall and beyond.
“You want to create visual interest, and you can do so with certain varieties of ornamental grass and flowering plants like mums,” he said.
“Combining plants and features will allow you to stay outside and use the space all year long.”
Winter is coming, but you don’t have to go into hibernation. There are plenty of ways to stay warm and to warm the space around you. Through proper design and consideration, you can extend your outdoor living all year long without sacrificing comfort or the esthetics of your property.