Fountains, ponds, stoves and firepits all enhance backyard oases
Given the opportunity, all of us would like to create an unforgettable, cozy oasis in our suburban backyard or even on our rooftop deck in the city. Most of us envision a space with lots of both style and tranquility for ourselves and our guests.
This can be a pricey endeavor, but it doesn't have to be.
Lurvey's Garden Center in Des Plaines is one of the best sources for fountains, bubblers and even supplies to create in-ground ponds with waterfalls.
“Water features are very cool things for people's outdoor spaces,” said Tom Partipilo, home and garden coordinator/buyer at Lurvey's. “They even work in smaller areas if that is what you have. People very much enjoy the sound of water movement. It truly creates a Zen environment.”
Lurvey's sells two- and three-tier concrete fountains that can easily be placed on a deck but they need to have a nearby power source. Lurvey's experts generally place them on a concrete paver above the wood to prevent leaks on the wood, Partipilo said. Many are even lit and range in price from $400 to over $1,000.
“Homeowners who want lots to see and hear generally choose three-bowl fountains. These are great for masking the annoying sounds of traffic and/or air conditioning units,” he added.
LED-lit bubblers, which are generally small and sit on the ground or deck/patio, also need a nearby power source since a small pump allows water to cascade over rocks to create a gentle gurgling, brook-like sound. They range in price from $250 to $400.
“We have most of the ones we offer on display so that you can hear them and know what to expect,” Partipilo said. “There is nothing like a water feature to enhance the atmosphere, give a yard an amazing look and help you relax and unwind.”
Pondlike water features for the yard come in many sizes and are quite customized. While some involve excavation, others do not. Rubber tubs in various sizes can be buried in the yard to catch and recycle the water. The above-ground portion depends on the homeowners' preferences and range from straight salt stone columns to cascades of stones to half-walls made of lightweight resin or heavy, authentic stone.
“And installing the ponds can be a weekend warrior project or a professional installation job,” he said. “Our staff can also deliver and set up fountains for those who wish that white-glove service.”
All water features, however, need to be regularly cleaned and also winterized, he cautioned. A bird-safe algicide is a “must” to prevent the growth of algae and Lurvey recommends and sells covers for these water features, to be used in the winter. In fact, your one-year warranty will require that you clean and maintain your pump, remove debris and winterize.
“It is an investment that you need to maintain,” Partipilo said.
Wood-burning fire features come in many forms and at numerous price points.
For instance, Blain's Farm & Fleet, with nearby stores in Elgin and Romeoville, carries a selection of inexpensive metal firepits made by Pleasant Hearth. They range in price from $105.99 to $169.99.
The Sunderland Rubbed Bronze firepit measures 36 inches in diameter with a 12-inch fire bowl. It features built-in air vents that allow larger flames and also has drain holes for proper water drainage. The mesh sides provide protection from escaping sparks and a poker is included for fire tending. It costs $105.99 and weighs 28 pounds.
Slightly more expensive at $109.99 is the modern-looking square, 26-inch deep black steel Solus Wood Burning Fire Pit. It has a built-in Circulair system that allows oxygen to circulate for a longer, more consistent fire, mesh panels to control sparks, a poker and a chrome-plated cooking grid for barbecuing.
Farm & Fleet's largest firepit, The Colossal, features a 36-inch diameter, 12.6-inch deep fire bowl and is perfect for a roaring backyard fire. It raises the firewood, allowing air flow for bigger flames and a more consistent fire and comes with large outer handles, making it easy to maneuver, and holes for proper water drainage. It sells for $169.99.
Northwest Metalcraft in Arlington Heights sells an array of wood-burning firepits, both traditional and unique, depending on your personal taste.
“We get a great deal of demand for firepits, especially in the spring and fall when people want to sit outdoors but need the heat,” said owner Dan Mayer. “Wood-burning firepits supply more heat than the new ones featuring gas-fired stones and if you want to roast marshmallows or other food items, you should never do it over gas because of possible drips.”
Northwest Metalcraft sells wood-burning firepits of all shapes and sizes, made of everything from steel to copper and beyond. They even have one that looks like a wine barrel, he said.
“If you are looking for something unique, we have it,” Mayer said. “And we also, of course, sell gas-burning features with stones.”
Partipilo of Lurvey is also a huge proponent of fire features, saying that nothing says “cozy” better than a warm fire on a cool summer night. All of theirs are gas-burning.
“Jensen, a Real Flame Company, manufactures high-end fire units and really stand behind their products. They offer a lifetime warranty on their brass burners and a five- year warranty on the body of the unit,” he said.
Made from a durable glass fiber reinforced concrete and an efficient, high output 60,000 BTU all-brass burner, Jensen firepits can be ordered with either a natural gas or a propane hookup. A protective cover and black volcanic rock to cover the burners are included with the purchase and they are available in rounds, squares and rectangles, with both Flint and Carbon color options. They range in price from $2,400 to $3,150.
Permanent firepits made of retaining blocks and situated on patios are also a popular option. Land Escapes Inc. of Barrington gets many requests for these high-end, permanent firepits, said owner Dean Strom.
“Usually, people request round firepits because they do not take up as much room and it is easier for people to gather around them,” Strom said. “We construct them from retaining blocks that match the patio and the walls they may have around it.
“All municipalities seem to have codes on their construction so we generally build them of two blocks stacked on top of each other and then a capstone, too. And municipal code also says how large they can be in diameter and how far they need to be from the house.
“Sometimes homeowners even ask us to run a gas line from the house to create a gas-starter firepit and then it can be a bit closer to the house, generally,” Strom continued.
“We are seeing more demand for firepits than ever before — or at the least, a space where they can place a movable firepit, with a seat wall nearby,” he added.