b'tips and tricksoutdoor living for longerExtending the life of our outdoor areas has become a modern lifestyle imperative.Contemporary living calls for outdoor spaces to be an integral partmodels as well as eco-friendly options that burn bioethanol, and of our busy lives, where we can relax and entertain our families andwall-mounted infratech models. Heaters come in many forms from friends and do it year round no matter how low the temperaturestraditional outdoor fireplaces to wall-mounted heaters, braziers, free-drop. Sure, we may not try sitting around the outdoor table munchingstanding, table-top and fire pits. on barbecued sausages in mid July, but we certainly expect to enjoyFireplacescanrangefromlightweightconcrete,whichallows our outdoor areas well into autumn and early in spring.contemporary styling and is easily installed, to more conventional To help us do that, there is an increasing array of outdoor heating,blockwork fireplaces built on site with additional extras, such as wood cooking, and design products available to help warm and shelter us.storage areas, cooking and bench space, or even a pizza oven.The sorts of items that used to only be seen in sidewalk cafes, such asThe use of screens can add important shelter from the prevailing wind roll-down PVC screens and large patio heaters, are now much moreand extend the amount of time able to be spent outside. Screen types common at home. Of course, all of these elements need an holisticinclude solid structures such as plastered walls or lightweight concrete approach to make them look good. Which is where good landscapeplastered walls, through to timber screens which allow some air and design comes into play.light into the area, or those that are semi-permanent like PVC sheets Some of the outdoor heating options include gas, electric poweredthat can be rolled up or put away. ReseneEcru WhiteLeftElectronically controlled louvred pergolas have become very popular for the flexibility they offer. This one is by Vergola. BelowA contemporary gas-fed outdoor fireplace from the Rinnai Impressions range. ReseneSorbus78'