Designing with Fire Glass - Starfire Direct

When it comes to designing your indoor or outdoor living space, we understand that the decision-making process can sometimes be difficult. Whether you already have a clear visualization embedded in your mind for how you envision your fireplace to look or you're just at the early stages of gathering your ideas together for how you want your fire pit to lay out in your backyard, we find that having a little extra guidance can go a long way.

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Fire glass stores heat even as it reflects the fire in thousands of tiny surfaces. High-end public places such as hotel lobbies and five-star restaurants make frequent use of fire pit glass and, increasingly, homeowners have fallen for the color and brilliance fire glass adds to their home patio areas.

Because there are a variety of design styles unique to each home, we've broken down the various characteristics of fire glass and have included helpful tips on ways you can design with this simple accessory. This practical decorative media not only provides for a cleaner look but can be personalized to fit any styled living space based on its shape, size, style, and color.

Starfire Glass can take your patio or living room to the next level by easily installing it into almost any space.

What is Fire Glass?

• Tempered, sometimes broken, and tumbled, glass is prepared to withstand the heat of your fire pit or fireplace.
• It is not simply broken glass from windows or bottles, but specially conditioned for higher heat levels. 
  
• Not all fire glass is made equally. Brands like Starfire Glass are specifically made with your fire pit and fireplace in mind.

Fireplace glass, or fire glass, is broken glass that is re-purposed from tempered glass that goes through a process that first heats the glass to degrees Fahrenheit, before cooling it rapidly in a technique known as “quenching.” After tempering, the glass withstands a greater amount of pressure before breaking, and when it does break, shatters into small “pebbles” or fire glass, which are less likely to cause injury than large shards of non-tempered glass. After the fire glass is broken, and any sharp edges are removed, resulting in a brilliantly colored and highly reflective surface.

It comes in a variety of sizes, from small, 1/4″ inch pieces to 1/2″ and even larger, chunkier pieces. The smallest fire glass tends to have a more dramatic effect and appears richer in color.

"The products that are actually intended for this purpose are specially tempered to ensure that they are strong enough to handle the heat without cracking, popping, or exploding." 

It would be a big mistake, however, to assume you can drop any glass for fire pits at all into the space and get good results. First, of course, random glass from something like broken bottles isn’t likely to look very good. It may also have dangerously sharp edges.

Even if you’re buying more rounded and attractive pieces, such as sea glass, it may not actually be safe to use as glass for fire pits. The products that are actually intended for this purpose are specially tempered to ensure that they are strong enough to handle the heat without cracking, popping, or exploding. An ordinary piece of glass that’s intended to decorate a bowl or a planter, on the other hand, isn’t designed to hold up against the same kind of heat like fire glass is. It could react in a way that might seriously hurt someone.

Important: Popping can occur if fire glass is wet. Always ensure your glass and fire pit are completely dry before use.

If you’re looking forward to the idea of fire on glass as a part of your new decorating scheme, you can easily contact us here and we can help you choose which style and type are right for you.

You can even have small sample bags of glass for fire pits sent to you that will give you a sense of how different styles and colors look in person. This is important because, as hard as companies may try to be as honest in their product presentations as possible, computer monitors aren’t all calibrated the same way. It’s possible for the same picture to look different when displayed on two different monitors.

How Fire Glass Can Make Your Fire Feature Even Better

• No need for constantly cutting or supplying wood to keep the fire going.
• Fire glass lasts infinitely longer than other fire media like fake gas logs.
• Available in a stunning variety of styles and colors to match any setting or enhance it to the next level.

As you’re shopping for a fireplace or fire pit for your home, you have a lot to consider. It’s a lot easier to go with a unit that’s designed to use gas or propane because it spares you from having to worry about buying a large supply of wood and then stacking it within reach. This style is also a lot easier to switch on and off quickly, which makes it better for relaxing than a fireplace you’d have to struggle to coax into life

The apparent downside of these, though, is that there’s nothing actually there that looks like it’s burning because the gas is invisible. This doesn’t look as attractive, so people sometimes fill the gap with special fake logs that are designed to be able to withstand the heat of the fire without being damaged.

That’s not your only option, though. Once you break away from the mold that says your fire should look like it’s burning wood, you can do some remarkable things with fireplace glass. It catches the light and sparkles, can be purchased in a wide variety of colors, and it even holds onto and radiates heat in a way that makes the overall unit more efficient as a source of warmth for your space.

How Can Fire Glass Be Used?

• Designed with gas fire pits and fireplaces in mind.
• Avoid wood-burning only fire features because of ash and buildup.
• Extremely versatile for most other fire features, such as fire lanterns, fire tables.

Fire glass should not be used in a wood-burning fireplace because it would be nearly impossible to remove the ashes without also shoveling out pieces of glass. Plus, the ashes would quickly make the glass less visible. For this reason, fire glass fireplaces are always fueled by natural gas or propane. Aside from fireplaces, you can also use fire glass for portable fire lanterns and tables, centerpiece décor, and even aquariums. It’s a versatile material that adds color and light to any area of your home.

Break up monotonous neutral tones and sharp edges with the vibrant colors and soft, round surfaces of Starfire Glass Reflective Fire Drops by Starfire Glass.

Understanding Your Aesthetics

• Understand your theme, layout, style, taste, or preferences.
• Choose complementary colors.
• Choose from a range of styles of fire glass that complement your personal style.

The wonderful thing about our living spaces is that they showcase a small glimpse into everyone's own style, tastes, and preferences. But it's important to understand the basic layout and theme of a room before deciding on the right combination that works for you.

Most rooms follow an analogous color scheme that sticks to just a few select hues close in relation to one another. As most popularly seen in industrial and minimalist style living spaces, it's best to break up the monotony with a complementary color or an eye-catching focal point to further enhance the room. And what better way to do that than with playful focal points, such as fire features? Warm yellow and orange tones created by fire not only add a compelling element that flickers and sways, but can be further enhanced with the elegance of fire glass.

Are you interested in learning more about Crushed Glass? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

The fragmented texture of Starfire Glass 1/4" Broken Fire Glass by Starfire Glass complements perfectly against the smooth, round edges of a fire bowl.

Balancing the Room with Texture

Have you ever stood in front of a room and said to yourself, "Something is missing"? Sometimes the simplest answer is to just add a touch of texture. While anything can have its own unique soft surface or rough edge, it's often said that adding a textured piece that stands out from the rest of the surroundings can elevate the room. The same is true for fire features.

Warm tones brought on by the flames instantly transform any room into a welcoming, entertaining space. To make your furniture and decor seamlessly integrate with one another, we find that adding fire glass--which is offered in broken, bead, and diamond shapes--to your fiery focal point can make it truly stand out. Broken fire glass is, as its name indicates, small, fragmented pieces. But if you're looking for something with a smoother surface, Diamond, Bead, and Pre-mixed options make for wonderful centerpiece displays as well. Whichever option you prefer, these shapes are certain to enhance your fire feature with much-needed texture and clean, modern appeal.

1/4” Real Fyre Fire Glass in Gold Reflective by Real Fyre may be small in size, but its tiny profile makes the perfect fit for this fireplace's small opening while simultaneously warming up cool colors of surrounding decor.

Sizing Up the Room

Fire glass is offered in an array of sizes that range from 1/4" to 2" thickness. So, look at your envisioned room.

When designing with fire glass, make sure to ask these questions:

• What is the flooring like?
• Do you have carpet, wood, or tiled flooring?
• What about the walls? Is it kept clean and tidy with just a blank canvas of paint, or are the walls adorned with detailed paintings and patterned tapestries?

If you have larger objects in the room, it's best to continue that pattern with your fire glass--like with our Starfire Glass Reflective Fire Diamonds which are an impressive 1" size. Or, if you have a fire feature that produces smaller flames, it might be best to stick to that schematic and pick a 1/4" size. While there's no hard and fast rule about how to design a room, comparing the volume and girth of your surrounding decor might help you figure out which fire glass size is the perfect fit for your space. But the truth of the matter is, choosing a size really comes down to your preference.

Pro Tip: While tempered fire glass is great at retaining heat, there are some subtle advantages to fire glass size when it comes to certain fuels. Compared to its smaller 1/4" counterpart, 1/2" fire glass offers greater gas efficiency for propane fire pits and fireplaces as the chunkier pieces help optimize gas flow. This means less gas consumption, resulting in a reduced gas bill or longer-lasting propane tanks — depending on your gas fire feature.

Warm flames from a concrete fire and water bowl dance over the cool tones of Starfire Glass 1/2" Broken Fire Glass in Cobalt Reflective by Starfire Glass for a fun coastal vibe.

Selecting a Style - Mix Colors and Styles to Create a Unique Effect

Fire glass comes in a virtually unlimited array of jewel-like colors. It is used today primarily as an alternative to the outdated gas logs and lava rocks of previous generations, traditionally used in natural gas and propane fireplaces. Instead of those dark foundations, today people marvel at the startling beauty of flames breaking through a swathe of sparkling, shattered glass, reminiscent of a bed of gemstones. 

Fire glass is offered in non-reflective, reflective, and pre-mixed styles. If your current design is already elevated by other decor and furniture, but you still want to add a subtle pop of color, our non-reflective classics are a great option. But to truly add some glam to your indoor or outdoor living space, we highly recommend our popular reflective fire glass, which has a mirror-like coating that adds a sparkling, glimmering, and gleaming appeal. We've even curated reflective pre-mixed selections that combine two or more colored fire glass together. But of course, you can always combine your own personal pre-mixed blend that mixes and matches different colors and styles to suit your needs.

Here are some of the main styles of fire glass you can use:

• 1/4" Broken Style Fire Glass - Smaller pieces
• 1/2" Broken Style Fire Glass - Larger Pieces
• Pre-Mixed Style Fire Glass - Comes in both 1/4" and 1/2"
• Fire Drops Style Fire Glass - Also known as Fire Beads
• Fire Diamonds Fire Glass - Large and stunning diamond-shaped fire glass

You can also mix much more together to create an intense visual effect. Try mixing three or four varieties to create a shimmering pattern or mix a handful of colors for a sparkling rainbow of light. With so many possibilities to choose from, what you do with your fire glass fireplaces is only limited by the boundaries of your own creativity.

Enhancing the Room with a Pop of Color

Clear Tempered Reflective Fire Glass Gems by Outdoor GreatRoom Co., are the perfect neutral tone that add a subtle flair without taking away from the Vintage Rectangular Gas Fire Pit Table's rustic charm.

If you want to draw attention to your focal point, opt for bright colors that add attraction. Or if you're wanting something with just a subtle flair, choose clear or neutral tones that don't take away from the rest of your decor. For instance, if you have a poolside oasis and are considering adding a couple fire and water bowls, you might want to stick to cooler colors - such as blues and greens - for that true coastal vibe.

Pro Tip: We also offer landscape fire glass that is a perfect alternative for traditional landscape media like lava rocks, mulch, and wood chips. For more information on our landscape fire glass, feel free to reach out to us on on live chat or fill out a contact us form.

Fireplace Glass and Your Fire Pit

A fire pit full of flame and glittering glass, set beneath the stars, turn a backyard into a private retreat for your family and friends. Indeed, in milder climates, fire pits can often enjoyed year round! Because fire glass fire pits come both as permanent installations and portable units, it’s now easier than ever to have a fire pit that meets all of your particular needs. Install a permanent fire pit or table as a centerpiece to your patio, or purchase a portable pit that you can put away when the season makes it versatile. Best of all, either configuration supports fireplace glass, allowing you to make your fire pit truly your own.

Preview Samples Before Buying

Preview Free Fire Glass Samples before making a commitment.

If you're still unsure on which type of fire glass is right for you, we offer Free Fire Glass Samples that allow you to select five different types of styles, colors, or sizes that may help with assisting you in your decision.

If you need more information, feel free to send a message via our live chat, or contact us here and we'll be happy to assist you in making your dream living space come to life.