patio fireplace – Outdoor Fireplaces

Custom Outdoor Fireplaces

Investing in a custom outdoor fireplace can be an inspiring decision. Outdoor fireplaces add elegance and value to your home, enhance your landscaping, and add a welcoming appeal for your family and friends. Whether you’re in the market for an outdoor fireplace for your home, your restaurant, or resort you will be adding value and creating a gathering spot that you will appreciate for years to come.

In this article I’ll give you a few tips on how to choose a custom outdoor fireplace, including how to find the best design. Since the best plan for installation may vary based on the design you choose, I’ll also provide some guidance on which method to choose for installation..

Choosing a Custom Outdoor Fireplace Design

When planning an outdoor fireplace project, there are several things you need to consider:

Where will it be located? The design you choose for a custom outdoor fireplace by a pool will likely be quite different than one tucked into the corner of your patio. A patio fireplace can tie together a large, expansive area and offer a warm enticing oasis for family and friends.
What kind of material do you prefer? You want to make sure that any material you choose will blend in with the surrounding area, as well as complement the materials used in your home. A stone fireplace may lend itself well to a backdrop of trees and or mountain vista, and the material you select for your fireplace will help it blend in with an extremely natural setting. If you have a colonial brick home, a brick fireplace will add to the architectural elegance very nicely.
What fuel selection do you want for your outdoor fireplace? If you want an outdoor wood burning fireplace, you will need the installation of a chimney, where as an outdoor gas fireplace will need venting. All this will impact design you choose, and the final appearance of your surroundings as well.

Outdoor Fireplace Construction

When it comes time to build this addition to your patio, you’ll need to decide whether to do it yourself, or hire a professional for the outdoor fireplace construction project. There are pros and cons to each:

Do It Yourself

Doing it yourself with an outdoor fireplace kit has its advantages. A kit will likely be far less expensive than hiring a mason to build this structure for you. Most fireplace kits are custom-built and are relatively easy to install. Most also come with detailed installation manuals. An outdoor fireplace kit is customizable for your exact preferences, at a percentage of the cost for hiring someone. If you’ve tackled do-it-yourself projects before or have a good understanding of bricklaying you may be able to save a substantial amount this way.

However, keep in mind that installing an outdoor fireplace is a commitment! Most outdoor fireplaces are permanent structures and therefore you will want them to be an asset to your property and remain an added benefit for new owners down the road. If you’re uncertain about your ability or don’t have the time to spend on a fairly involved project, you may be better off hiring a professional. Or you may even want to consider something with less of a commitment that you can move or change like an chiminea or a raised fire pit.

Hire a Professional

Hiring a professional to help you with outdoor fireplace construction can be a great asset in the long run. Professionals have the expertise, plans and the tools to make sure your custom outdoor fireplace turns out perfectly whether you choose an outdoor stone fireplace, an outdoor brick fireplace or something completely different. Most professional outdoor fireplace designers can give you a site evaluation and may offer suggestions for materials and designs that you would not have considered on your own.

When hiring a professional, be sure to find out if they’re licensed and bonded. Also ask for references, and be sure to check them. If you have a general idea of the design you’d like to use, ask to see a portfolio as this can be a quick way to determine if a particular contractor has built something similar to what you already have in mind. However, a professionally designed custom outdoor fireplace will likely cost significantly more than a kit fireplace that you install yourself.

When considering a custom outdoor fireplace, take your time. Look around at plans and designs as well as different material options. Decide if you feel you are able to do this on your own or need expert assistance. With a solid plan and some elbow grease (or the help of a professional) you can enjoy the warmth of a custom outdoor fireplace sooner than you may think.

Outdoor Natural Gas Fireplace

by Charlie

As outdoor fireplaces become more popular our options for them increase. In areas where outdoor wood burning fireplaces aren’t allowed, outdoor gas fireplaces have become a good option. The two main choices in this category are propane and natural gas. But before buying or building a fireplace for your outdoor living space check with your local municipalities to verify they are allowed in your area.

While a propane fireplace is a better choice if you want something portable, an outdoor natural gas fireplace is a good way to go if you already have a natural gas line piped into your home. You can hire a professional to run a line to your patio or wherever you want to install your fireplace so you have a constant fuel source. With this type of set up you never need to worry about chopping or buying fire wood and you don’t need to worry about switching out propane tanks.

One of the benefits of an outdoor gas fireplace is that it is easy to start and extinguish. Many of them even have a remote control option so you can adjust the fire without even getting out of your warm, cozy seat. If the fire gets too warm you can turn it down to make it more comfortable for everyone sitting around enjoying it or if it isn’t warm enough you can turn it up a little.

While you won’t get the crackling sound of the wood burning you also won’t have embers popping out of the fireplace and you don’t have to worry about smoke as outdoor gas fireplaces burn cleaner than wood burning fireplaces.

An outdoor natural gas fireplace can bring a whole new look and feel to you back yard. Outdoor fireplaces can also increase the value of your home, and increase your living space. You may want to start spending more evenings at home with this type of addition.

Outdoor Fireplace Kits

by Charlie

Are you considering a cozy fireplace for your deck, patio, garden or yard? Fireplace kits are a great option if you want a do-it-yourself outdoor fireplace, or if you want to make the construction a bit easier so you can start enjoying this new backyard addition in just a few days. With these patio fireplace kits you can have a traditional single opening fireplace or one that’s a little more like a raised outdoor fire pit with a multi-sided view of the fire.

Why Buy An Outdoor Fireplace Kit

If you want an outside fireplace and want to do it yourself it’s best to get an outdoor fireplace kit, sometimes known as prefabricated fireplaces. Unless you’ve had experience with outdoor fireplace construction you may not know what materials to use. Many types of rock and stone can’t withstand the heat produced in a fireplace so they will crumble and degrade. It’s important to have a secure firebox that can withstand the heat of having fire after fire in it.

Especially in certain areas of the country if the fire isn’t contained properly it can be very dangerous and have long-lasting consequences. Outdoor fireplace kits help prevent problems with materials or construction as long as they are put together according to the directions.

These patio fireplace kits are assembled more quickly than a full masonry constructed outdoor fireplace, usually in a fraction of the time. Because they come with pre-cut, ready to install pieces they typically lower the cost of materials and labor compared to custom outdoor fireplaces too.

If you’re skeptical about outdoor fireplace kits because you want your fireplace to have a unique look and feel, more like a custom outdoor fireplace, don’t worry, it can easily be customized. Once the outdoor prefab fireplace is installed it can be decorated or veneered with stucco, stone or brick to get the specific look you want. So your outdoor fireplace kit can be the foundation for your beautiful outdoor stone fireplace. This flexibility also makes it easier to match the look of the fireplace to the already existing decor of your landscaped patio.

Where To Find Outdoor Fireplace Kits

You can find a variety of companies online that produce outdoor fire place kits. Many offer instructions, pictures and videos of how to assemble their kits and of the finished product. You can find different outdoor fireplace designs, and see how they will look when finished.

Some of these companies have distributors throughout the United States where you can order and pick up your kit. But with other companies you can order your kit online and it will be delivered to your home.

But before you start looking at outdoor fireplace kits make sure outdoor fireplaces are permitted in your area. If they aren’t you may be required to deconstruct your new fireplace, which would be terribly sad. It’s always best to check ahead of time so you know before you delve into the process.

It’s not surprising that outdoor fire pits and fireplaces have become so popular. They create such a nice, warm atmosphere for a cozy evening or for entertaining. They also allow you to enjoy your outdoor area earlier and later in the season, providing more usable space in your home. If you’re looking for an attractive outdoor patio fireplace that is affordable and easy to assemble consider outdoor fireplace kits. You may be surprised by just how convenient they are.

Portable Outdoor Fireplace

by Charlie

A portable outdoor fireplace is a perfect choice if you’ve decided you want to enjoy a fire outside, but you don’t want to commit to a fixed structure. For some it is a good place to start when planning out the design of your outdoor living area as these units can be relatively inexpensive and because they are movable you can test them in a few different areas until you find just the look and feel you want.

Types Of Portable Outdoor Fireplaces

Portable outdoor fireplace can mean few different things. It can refer to above ground fire pits that are portable, many of them are. It can refer to freestanding outdoor fireplaces that aren’t attached to the ground. Or it can refer to a non-traditional style of chimineas.

One of the most common types seen in home improvement stores are the raised fire pit versions, a fire pit table. Many of these are considered to be portable because they are small enough to easily pick up and carry to a different location. They work well for a small patio, in fact some even double as a table during the day and a fire pit at night. But a truly portable fire pit will be one you can fold and easily carry with you.

Another option is a freestanding outdoor portable fireplace. These are different from a fire pit in that these outdoor fireplaces often keep the fire a bit more enclosed. These are sometimes a little larger than the simple patio fireplace style fire pit so they can be better for a larger area. You can find some that have wheels which makes them really easy to move.

Standard chimineas are often made from clay or heavy metals like cast iron so they aren’t truly considered portable because they can be pretty heavy. But there are some other styles of chimineas that are easier to move and considered portable. Some have a slightly different design and a wire mesh instead of solid clay or metal which both makes them lighter and it provides a full view of the fire.

I’ve recently found a portable fireplace that is so portable you can use it either indoors or outside. It’s called EcoSmart Fire as it is not only portable but environmentally friendly.

Portable Outdoor Fireplace Fuel

It is important to decide what kind of fuel you want to use for your patio fireplace. You can find portable fireplaces that use either wood, gas, gel or things like denatured ethanol.

Before you decide which you prefer check with your city for any rules and regulations. Certain types of fuel may not be allowed in your area, for example some areas have wood burning restrictions.

Wood provides that feel of a campfire with the crackle and smell of smoke. But if you don’t like to smell like smoke after sitting out on the patio you may prefer a different fuel like gel or gas. An outdoor gas fireplace will be easy to light and it less messy than one that burns wood.

Always consider how much the fuel will cost and how easy it is to replenish when you run out.

Patio Fireplace Safety

Before you buy an outdoor fireplace make sure you are allowed to have one in your area. Once you’ve verified that remember to be careful and safe. With a portable outdoor fireplace you need to be attentive when you move it to a new location. Make sure you aren’t too close to the house or any other structure and stay away from trees or dry brush. Always keep water or a fire extinguisher nearby as well.

With just a few outdoor fireplace accessories, an outdoor fireplace cover and some safety guidelines your portable outdoor fireplace should provide you with some great experiences and good memories of cozy evenings outside in your own yard.

Patio Fire Pits

by Charlie

A great way to update your patio is by adding a fire pit. Patio fire pits can create a new look and feel for this outdoor space. Not only do these small, often portable fireplaces add a nice look, they also add increased functionality and create a cozy ambiance.

Types of Patio Fire Pits

A patio fire pit usually works well for a small patio because they require less space than brick or stone outdoor fireplaces. They are also usually easy to move so they make a great portable outdoor fireplace.

Because of the high demand for them we now have a wide selection when it comes these patio fireplaces. You can find fire pits made of various metals like cast iron, cast aluminum or copper to name a few. A copper fire pit can really provide a distinct look. You can also find them with decorative stone to provide a more rugged or outdoor feel.

But if you want a truly multifunctional patio fire pit consider one made in the style of a table. This essentially blends a table and a fire pit together making this addition very functional. Some have a beautiful stone or mosaic tile table wrapped around a sunken fire bowl. You can even get them to blend in with the flagstone on your patio to create a cohesive design that incorporates your outdoor fireplace.

Wood or Gas Fire Pit?

One important thing to consider before you start shopping is whether you want a wood burning or gas fire pit. But before you make the decision check with your city to see what is allowed in your area. Some areas have restrictions on wood burning.

A wood burning fire pit will provide the rustic feel of an outdoor fire with the smell of smoke, which can also help fend off bugs, but with this type you may want to choose one with a screen lid to protect onlookers from popping embers.

Outdoor gas fire pits are easy to light and extinguish. It will also burn cleaner than one that burns wood. But make sure you have an appropriate fuel source readily available. You can either buy small tanks of fuel or have a fuel line run from your house. For a small patio fireplace like this it is usually easier to buy small tanks of fuel. Choosing a light model will also make this a portable fire pit that is easy to use on the go.

Patio fire pits provide a great way to enjoy your patio even when the nights start to get chilly.

Enchanting Flames

Choosing a Custom Outdoor Fireplace Design

Outdoor Fireplace Construction

Why Buy An Outdoor Fireplace Kit

Where To Find Outdoor Fireplace Kits

Types Of Portable Outdoor Fireplaces

Portable Outdoor Fireplace Fuel

Patio Fireplace Safety

Types of Patio Fire Pits

Wood or Gas Fire Pit?