Outside the fireplace there are four different shapes for the chimney transition. Arch the firebox or keep it rectangular—whatever you prefer. Mantel reinforcement or chimney set‐back for mantel rest are two more options. I recently completed a project for a client that included a TV nook with electrical rough‐in over the fireplace. We’ve done this […]
Category: How-To
Why are there cracks in my fireplace mortar joints?
It is normal to see some cracks in the mortar joints of your outdoor fireplace. Cracks appear because of environmental factors, mainly moisture and freezing temperatures. An outdoor fireplace gets much more exposure to these environmental factors. It is important to keep moisture out of the flue and out of the firebox, but a hard-driven […]
Fiesta Combination Units
The Fiesta-Mini footprint is only 39” wide—so it can fit through tight clearance, yet the brick oven is actually larger than the Kiva combo. The downside of the Mini fireplace is chopping the wood a little smaller. An 18” stainless log grate completes the picture. The Fiesta-Poco features the best value for the size with […]
Save Time and Increase Revenue with Round Grove Products
I often tell the story of how Round Grove Products got started, but it’s more relevant to hardscape contractors now than at any other time. My wife and I designed an outdoor kitchen for our backyard patio that included a fireplace and hired a contractor with an excellent reputation. We watched the construction progress for […]
Smoke Control
Sometimes homeowners contact me about smoke flowing out of the front of their fireplace rather than out the chimney. I stand behind every product, so I traveled to two or three sites this summer to meet with homeowners to investigate what was going on, especially if my engineering was faulty or if there was a […]
Design Considerations for Outdoor Living Spaces – Part 4
Outdoor living space is a great home feature that will increase your home’s value. It creates an outdoor focal point that will draw you outdoors and provides entertainment and recreation space throughout the year. Whether you choose to relax with family or entertain with friends, an outdoor living space will add value and years of […]
Design Considerations for Outdoor Living Spaces – Part 3
Outdoor living space is a great home feature that will increase your home’s value. It creates an outdoor focal point that will draw you outdoors and provides entertainment and recreation space throughout the year. Whether you choose to relax with family or entertain with friends, an outdoor living space will add value and years of […]
Design Considerations for Outdoor Living Spaces – Part 2
Outdoor living space is a great home feature that will increase your home’s value. It creates an outdoor focal point that will draw you outdoors and provides entertainment and recreation space throughout the year. Whether you choose to relax with family or entertain with friends, an outdoor living space will add value and years of […]
Design Considerations for Outdoor Living Spaces – Part 1
Outdoor living space is a great home feature that will increase your home’s value. It creates an outdoor focal point that will draw you outdoors and provides entertainment and recreation space throughout the year. Whether you choose to relax with family or entertain with friends, an outdoor living space will add value and years of […]
Controlling the Temperature in Your Brick Oven
There are several tips and techniques you can use to control the temperature of your brick oven. Which ones work for different food and when to make appropriate changes will come the more you practice on your wood-fired brick oven. How Hot Does My Brick Oven Get? At its hottest, a wood-fired brick oven will […]