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Customer Care Center
October 2010
Homeowners
CHOOSING A FIRE FEATURE


When deciding on which type of fire feature to choose from, a number of factors come into play, including space, budget, building codes, and lifestyle. To make your decision easier, Belgard's Vice President, Ken O'Neill, and Joe Raboine, President of Harmony Outdoor Living, Inc., offer advice on selecting the right fire feature for your outdoor space.

 

Belgard Elements


"Fire pits are great for entertaining large groups. Both children and adults love to gather around a fire pit and talk or roast marshmallows.  Fireplaces have greater visual impact and provide a more intimate conversation area for couples or smaller groups," says Raboine.

 

"Fire tables are not quite as popular yet because they're relatively new, but they are definitely catching on," says O'Neill. "We're also seeing an increase in demand for brick ovens, which is why we've added Chicago Brick Ovens as part of the Elements line."


Sometimes the choice is a personal one. Some homeowners prefer gas, due to the elimination of sparks and ash, while others prefer the smell and crackle of wood. Often, there are design considerations that may necessitate the use of one fire feature over another due to local building codes, available space or overall flow with the surrounding landscape.

 

Visit our website for ideas on creating your own backyard oasis, complete with any number of fire features.

BELGARD PREFERRED PAYMENT 

Outdoor living projects just became more affordable with our new preferred payment program for homeowners!

We recently introduced the Belgard Preferred Payment program. With 90-day, 180-day and 365-day same-as-cash programs available, you can create the backyard of your dreams without having to prolong a project due to budgetary constraints.

The program is only available to homeowners through participating Belgard Authorized Contractors. Ask your contractor about the Belgard Preferred Payment program and same-as-cash benefits.



Choosing a Fire Feature
Belgard Preferred Payment
Seasonal Tip
Recipe of the Month
"The Ultimate Outdoor Home"
 

CHECKING LOCAL CODES

Local building codes often play a huge roll regarding both the type of fire feature and the decision to go with wood-burning or gas-burning. Typically, wood-burning units must be placed anywhere from 10 to 25 feet from any structure, while gas-burning units can be placed almost anywhere. Some subdivision covenants may offer additional restrictions regarding the use of fire elements.


Be sure to consult with your contractor and homeowners association regarding local building codes that are relevant to your project.



OCTOBER RECIPE

 

Sunset Brie

 

Ready, set, entertain!

 

The holiday season is just around the corner. Try one of Sunset's 15 all-time favorite, crowd-pleasing appetizers.

 

We're loving their Quick Cheese Fondue!


WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Send us your questions, comments, entertaining tips or even a favorite recipe!

Please contact us at belgardenews@oldcastleapg.com.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Garden Design Design2          Garden Design Display 


BELGARD SELECTED FOR "THE ULTIMATE OUTDOOR HOME"

Belgard recently partnered with Garden Design Magazine and several other industry professionals to create "The Ultimate Outdoor Home" at the American Society for Landscape Architects' 2010 Annual Meeting and Expo. The team spent 36 hours transforming a 1,200 square-foot space on the expo floor into a beautiful "outdoor" retreat that drew large crowds daily. Forty-five thousand pounds of Belgard pavers, including Mega Arbel, Mega Lafitt and Subterra permeable pavers transformed the drab cement floor of the expo into an inspiring space for attendees to enjoy.