Our Company Blog
Start Talking About Spring Projects Now
Temperatures are still dipping in the evenings, and most of the country is still in the thick of winter. That doesn’t mean you can’t start planning now for a fantastic outdoor space in the spring.
Visualize Your Dream Space
There are many options when it comes to choosing and building your dream space. At IBD Outdoor Rooms we offer our customers every resource to build the space of their dreams. Whether you want a space with walls and a roof, or a simple patio with a fire pit and seating, you can have the space completed and ready in time for Easter festivities, spring break, and more. It may not seem like a good time, but it’s the best time to get started!
Fireplaces
Depending on the space you have in mind, you may be able to install a wall fireplace or a fire pit.
Wood-Burning Fires—If you have access to a source of firewood, there are great options for outdoor fires. Garden fireplaces can be installed at the edge of any patio without a wall. They produce substantial heat and are eco-friendly. Wood-burning fire pits are also a great option! They generate a lot of heat, but may be more work.
Gas-Burning Fires—If you’re looking for the most eco-friendly and efficient option, gas-powered fires are the ticket. IBD Outdoor Rooms sells a variety of gas fire pits. Depending on your space, you may choose an octagonal, round, square, corner wedge, oval, rectangular, even pedestal fire pits. Once you’ve chosen the shape of your fire pit, it will be easier to choose furniture to complete the space. Rinnai walls are also gas-fueled and perfect for your outdoor space, especially if you have divider walls or when larger units are needed.
Outdoor Kitchens
Your outdoor space may work better for you if you can cook comfortably. IBD Outdoor Rooms sells kitchen islands that will work perfectly with your space, fit well with your grill equipment, and can be designed and decorated to match your personality and your landscape.
Walls, Roofs, and Extras
You can have the best of both worlds when you add a pavilion or pergola to your outdoor space. Offer a shaded space for sunny days, an open space for stargazing, even custom walls for windy afternoons. You don’t want to limit yourself when it comes to your outdoor space.
When you design and order your pergola from IBD Outdoor Rooms, it is the best lumber at the best price, ready to assemble in clearly-marked instructions and materials, delivered to your door. When it comes to the benefits, there is no reason not to invest in your home now.
Contact IBD Outdoor Rooms at 704-960-4530 today and get started on your dream outdoor space before spring.
Winter Weather Can Damage Your Outdoor Entertainment Area
Fall weather might have had a slow start, but winter is in full swing. Most of the country is experiencing arctic temperatures, and it happened abruptly. You might have been enjoying your outdoor fire pit, and now you can’t stand outside to find your car key. It’s cold. This weather doesn’t just affect your heating bill; it can also damage your outdoor entertainment area. Even if you haven’t prepped your outdoor space for winter, there is time to prevent damage from happening.
Prevent Dry Rot, Mildew, and Mold
You can save yourself a lot of work and hassle by simply storing certain things in a garage, shed, or house. Cloth furnishings should be taken indoors to avoid damage to the upholstery. Most patio furniture is equipped with separate cloth cushions so they can be easily removed and stored. Other things that should be removed and stored include curtains, coverings, and decorative elements. If you cannot remove items or store furniture, you can protect your furnishings with a roof or custom cover.
Prevent Rust, Stains, and Deterioration
Your cup holders, sinks, and fire pit will hold water if allowed. Throughout winter, rain and snow fall and collect in these spaces. This moisture will freeze and damage your appliances, furniture, and fire pit. Many cup holders in tables and chairs are removable. If they aren’t removable, cover them. Protect your fire pit with a custom cover, and cover your sinks, or disconnect the drain so that water runs out of them. This will prevent water damage and keep debris from clogging your drains and pipes.
Prevent Damaged Pipes and Connections
Before you forget your outdoor space for winter, disconnect the water from the sink, refrigerator, and any other connection that can freeze and bust. It’s best to also disconnect the gas line to the fire pit, stove, or grill since it will be several weeks or months until you use theses appliances. If you have electricity in your outdoor entertainment area, you should be able to shut it off so that there is no risk of complications, damage, or fire to your belongings.
Protect the Inside of Your Cabinets
Your cabinets are made to withstand the outdoors, but the things you have in your cabinet are not. Double-check that you don’t have items in your entertainment area that can freeze and bust, making a mess that you’ll have to clean later. Open cabinets can allow water in to damage the structure and materials inside as well. These storage areas are a great place for furniture cushions. Take perishables out, and put cloth pillows, curtains, and cushions in. Then lock them up so they’re secure.
Call Us Today
At IBD Outdoor Rooms, we want all of our customers to get the most out of their outdoor entertainment area. We offer many options to create your dream space and add value to your property, and we want it to last. If you’re concerned about your entertainment area during the winter, consider adding a roof to your area. There are many great options that are beautiful and functional. Choose the best for you today. Call IBD Outdoor Rooms at 704-960-4530 to speak with a representative today.
Storing Wood Throughout Winter
Throughout winter, the average homeowner in the northern states and Canada may burn about four cords of firewood. This is a fairly large portion of wood. One cord is a stack of cut wood measuring 4 ft. x 4 ft. x 8 ft., equaling 128 cubic feet. Considering that most stove and fireplaces will only hold about 3-5 cubic feet at one time, you have to have a place to store the rest of this wood all winter!
Seasoned Firewood
You should only burn properly seasoned firewood in your fireplace, stove, or fire pit. This means that you not only need a place to store it through winter, but also while it seasons. When a tree is cut down, it is filled with water in long tubes that stretch from top to bottom. The water from the wood dries when you cut the length and expose it to sunlight and airflow. Cut and store the best-burning firewood for 3-6 months (depending on the species of tree) so that it has less that 25 % water content.
Storing Your Wood Supply
It can be tricky to find adequate space for all that firewood! The best way to store your wood so that it becomes seasoned properly is to store the stack with at least one side exposed to sunlight and free-flowing air. Storing seasoned firewood inside a shed is also a fine idea. Placing your wood on a bed of gravel prevents your wood from sitting in standing water. This is particularly important in wet climates like the Pacific Northwest. You can also use the bark of the firewood to protect it. For instance, placing the bottom layer of wood bark-down can protect it from standing water. Placing the top later of wood bark-up can help the water to runoff instead of affecting the entire stack. Many homeowners prefer covering wood with tarps to avoid wet firewood, but it’s still important to leave one side of the stack exposed until it is seasoned and ready to burn.
Buying Your Wood Supply
In order to save space, or if trees are not available for cutting, homeowners often buy firewood from a local supplier. If you’re buying wood, it’s important to find a supplier that only sells seasoned wood. Go and see the wood before you make your purchase. Measure and make sure that you’re getting a cord if that is what’s advertised. Don’t pay too much for firewood.
Signs Your Wood is Ready to Burn
Whether you cut and store your wood for the winter, or you purchase and store a cord at a time, you should be sure it’s seasoned before you burn it in your fireplace, stove, or fire pit. When your wood is ready to burn you will see:
-Cracks along the edge of the wood (checks)
-Graying or dulling in color
-Hollow noise when hit together
-Bark pulls away from the wood
-Lighter in weight
-Wood feels dry (inside) when split
Whether you want to store your wood in a shed, a lean-to, or in the open, make sure it’s seasoned, and well away from the house. Placing firewood next to the house is a fire hazard. Most conservation agencies suggest storing your firewood 30 feet from your residence.
The Value of a Gas Fireplace
When it comes to fireplaces, gas is the most popular and most efficient option today. Outdoor fireplaces are no different. The convenience of gas is unrivaled, and homeowners are taking the opportunity to get them installed before winter. Enjoy the warmth of a fireplace in the colder months!
Start Now
You can start planning now and find the fireplace of your dreams to enhance your outdoor area. Gas fireplaces are great fall and winter additions to your home. There is still time to choose the best fireplace and have it installed before the temperature drops.
Choosing Gas
When you choose a gas fireplace, you get the added benefit of convenience, efficiency, and a reduced carbon footprint. IBD Outdoor Rooms specializes in the gas powered fire pit and has a model to match every home, need, and personality.
Eco-Friendly
Gas fire pits are good for the environment. They are highly efficient, produce less byproducts into the atmosphere, and less smoke into your yard area.
Enjoyable
Because of the high-efficiency of gas, you and your guests will not be bothered by smoke, sparks, and odors from your fireplace. Gas fire pits burn only gas (unless you drop debris in the pit, which is not recommended).
Convenient
Your gas fireplace is perfect for cool nights when you don’t want to shiver while you light a fire for a short get-together. Gas will fire with a switch or match, and extinguish just as quickly and easily. Depending on the model, you can adjust the heat and flame with easy controls, making these fire pits and fireplaces perfect for every season.
Choices
You can choose a gas fire pit that sits at the center of all the fun and activity. This is great if you have the space. If your space is limited, you can also choose a gas wall fireplace. Rinnai Walls are a great and beautiful option for divider walls and offer all of the benefits of gas fire. You can also install a fireplace cabinet to house a manufactured gas fireplace of your choice. You aren’t limited to one model or one style when choosing gas!
Customizable
IBD Outdoor Rooms ships fire pits ready to finish. That means homeowners have the last say and can finish the fire pit with a material or style that matches the surrounding area, the patio furniture, the terrain, and more.
Real, Beautiful Flame
When you choose a gas fireplace or fire pit, you can even choose a traditional wood fire using ceramic wood that looks authentic! Enjoy a beautiful fire without hauling, splitting, or lighting wood. There’s no ash to dispose of, and no coals to extinguish at the end of the night.
With all the benefits, there is no reason to choose anything other than gas for your outdoor fireplace. To start your oder, call IBD today at 704-960-4530!
Closing Down Your Outdoor Kitchen For The Season
When you are finished using your outdoor kitchen for the season, there are a few things you should do to preserve and protect it through the off season. Winter can be hard on surfaces and equipment that isn’t prepared. Many small things that can make a difference can slip your mind during your winter prep. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your winter prep, so that you can enjoy your outdoor kitchen again in the spring.
Remove Cloth
Even cloth that has been treated for water resistance and stain prevention can become damaged during winter. Remove all removable cloth and store in a dry area. This includes cushions, curtains, cabinet coverings, and pergola coverings.
Cover Anything That Holds Water
Anything that can hold water will. First snow will pack into a space, and then eventually melt, leaving standing water. Water will stain sinks, furniture, and flooring if it’s allowed to sit and rust. It will ruin cloth furniture if it’s not covered. You should cover your sink to prevent water and other debris from falling into it, clogging pipes, and staining. You can prevent water from filling furniture cup holders and penetrating cloth furniture by covering your furniture or storing it in a dry area. Other things, like a fire pit can be covered or turned over to keep from collecting water.
Disconnect Fuel and Water Supply
If you use a propane, or gas grill or fire pit, you should turn off all the fuel connections that you don’t plan to use this winter. Shut off the water supply to the sink and refrigerator, and unplug any appliances that are exposed to the weather.
Secure Cabinets
Make sure your cabinets are securely closed to prevent animal intrusion, as well as theft during the winter months.
Clean Surfaces and Cabinets
Use a cleaning solutions to clean the surfaces and cabinets of your outdoor kitchen. Make sure to remove any food products from the cabinets, as they will attract animals. Use your favorite grill cleaner to clean your grill, stove, and oven if you have one. Any bit of crumbs or grease can attract unwanted guests this winter.
Utilize Storage
Perhaps you still would like to use your fire pit or fire place, but won’t be using your cooking surfaces or appliances in the cold months. You can utilize the spaces in your outdoor kitchen to keep your furniture cushions close by. They may fit inside your cabinets or your refrigerator, where they’ll stay dry and you can easily grab them at will.
Your outdoor kitchen may be one of your favorite places. It is an investment, and part of your home, even if it’s outside. It’s important to protect it from damage, disrepair, and animal intrusion. You can close out your outdoor kitchen for winter and it will be ready with little difficulty this spring for your first cook-out. If you’re looking for a little more added protection, fall is the perfect time to build a custom structure. IBD Outdoor Rooms can find the perfect design for your needs, that will not only protect your outdoor kitchen this winter, but offer shade and protection year-round.
