fuel types

Find the right heat source for your space… GAS: Easy and convenient, with a variety of styles to choose from. The beauty of gas is the ability to turn it on with the flick of a switch or a tap on your smartphone. “It can require more servicing, though, as gas components can break and need replacing,” says Joel Belnick of Jetmaster. WOOD: It takes effort to source and split, but wood gives an authentic fire experience with high heat output. “You can also choose between an open or slow combustion (closed) fireplace,” says Guillaume Roux of Oblica. “Slow combustion units offer more control and efficiency, yet raw open fires [pictured] provide great sound and smell, and are ideal for toasting marshmallows.” ETHANOL: “Good looking and simple to use, a key advantage is easy installation, as no flueing or gas supply is required,” says Rick Wignell of Wignells Heating & Cooking. ELECTRIC: “Primarily decorative, an electric flame doesn’t produce direct heat, yet it can evoke the realism of a wood fire without the need for a flue,” says Joel.

When creating a room around an alfresco fireplace – just like this one pictured – use comfortable seats and generous benches, even a coffee table, and consider turning chopped firewood into a tactile display.