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Custom Outdoor Fireplaces

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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

Outdoor Fireplace Kit
Outdoor Fireplace Kit

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.

Custom Outdoor Fireplace
Custom Outdoor Fireplace

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 Fire Pits

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Outdoor fire pits are great if you’re looking for the feel of being around a campfire but you want it in the comfort of your own garden or patio. An fire pit will provide you with a 360 view of the fire and provide a circular area for guests to stand around while enjoying the warmth and glow of the fire.

These pits can be as rustic as a fire ring in the ground surrounding the dancing flames, or something more decorative like a raised metal bowl with shapes cut into it, or a mosaic tile table surrounding a sunken fire bowl. If you can imagine it, it’s probably available somewhere.

Fire Ring

A fire ring, sometimes known as a campfire ring, is a circle of metal, stone or sometimes concrete that wraps around the outside of the fire to help contain it. Certain fire rings are designed to fit a sort of grate over it allowing you to cook over the fire. You can find a fun assortment of fire rings that have designs, like animals or trees, cut into them so you can see the silhouette of the decorative shapes as the fire is burning.

Fire rings shouldn’t be used on any surface that’s not considered fire safe, like a deck. Instead you may want to look into a raised fire pit for those areas.

Wood Burning Fire Pits

Think about the kind of wood you want to burn before buying a wood burning fire pit. If you want to use the same wood you use for your fireplace make sure you buy one that’s big enough for them to fit. You’ll also want to make sure you have a screen or cover for your outdoor fireplace to add a layer of protection from sparks and embers that may be created from the crackling, burning wood.

You can burn different types of wood for different reasons. Pinion wood is popular for it’s nice, pine scent and because it helps repel mosquitoes, but you can burn other woods like apple or hickory. Eco Logs are another great option because they burn longer and are very inexpensive. Never burn pressure treated logs as they release toxic gases when they are burned.

Patio Fire Pits

Outdoor patio fire pits come in a variety of sizes, shapes and materials. There are many benefits of these types of outdoor fireplaces. For starters they generally don’t take up much space. They are also portable, so you can move them if you want to redecorate, rearrange your patio, or of course you can take them with you if you move.

Because they come in so many designs, colors and shapes you can easily find a backyard fire pit that matches the decor of your yard, or if you find one with a look you love you can have fun decorating around the design of the patio fire pit.

Some patio fire pits come with an attachment that will allow you to cook with them. With these you can use a mesquite wood for the fire to add that smokey, outdoor flavor to you foods. One flavor you won’t want is the faint taste of a new fire pit. If you are going to use it for cooking it’s good to have a few fires in it first to burn off that new smell. This is especially important if they are coated with enamel or paint.

Gas Fire Pits

Gas Outdoor Fire Pit
Gas Outdoor Fire Pit

If you’re looking for something that’s easy to light and low maintenance you may want to look at outdoor gas fire pits. Gas fire pits burn cleaner, since you aren’t burning wood you don’t get the smoke you would get from a wood burning option and they are easier to maintain because you aren’t left with ashes after every fire.

They come as outdoor propane fire pits or natural gas fire pits. With these you can use lava rock, ceramic logs or fire pit glass rocks in the bowl. Lava rocks and ceramic logs provide more of a natural, outdoor look, while the colored glass — often called fire glass, fire ice or fireplace glass — has a modern, elegant shimmery quality.

Copper Fire Pits

If you like a warm colored metal, copper fire pits are a fun option. They won’t retain that shiny, light color after a fire or two, but copper is a durable metal that will last for a long time. A copper fire pit won’t rust and it can handle the heat well, unlike some of the cheaper metals used in low quality patio fire pits.

Fire Pit Tables

Fire pit tables are nice because they can be multifunctional. Since they have the table space they can be used at anytime when you’re outside enjoying a drink or a snack, then later you can light a fire in the bowl to keep you warm to watch the sunset. They also make a great portable outdoor fireplace as they are easy to move.

They are often the center piece of the patio furniture and they come in fun designs including mosaic tile table tops. And if you like the idea of a gas fire pit and a table fire pit no problem you can get a propane fire pit table.

Fire Pit Covers

There are a few outdoor fireplace accessories you will want to consider. To keep your patio fire pit protected from the elements so it will remain in good shape you’ll want to look at fire pit covers. If you have a wood burning fireplace a fire pit cover will also keep the ashes from blowing around on your patio.

Safety Considerations

Always check with your local Fire Marshall to see what is allowed in your area before you buy anything. But once you’ve verified you can have an outdoor fireplace there are some fire pit safety considerations.

Do not place an outdoor fire pit on a flammable surface or near anything flammable, like under a tree with low hanging branches. Keep it out in the open away from you house and away from overhangs.

Never leave the fire unattended especially if there are kids nearby and always keep a fire extinguisher handy.

With a little common sense outdoor fire pits can make your evenings cozier and help transform your outdoor living space.

Outdoor Natural Gas Fireplace

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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.

Copper Fire Pit

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Adding a copper fire pit to your patio can add a touch of warmth and elegance. These richly colored fire pits can also help you create a nice place to spend evenings on your patio, either a quiet evening alone or a cozy evening with friends. This specific style has a number of benefits, but before you decide to buy one make sure this is the right type of outdoor fireplace to fit your needs.

The Popularity of Copper

Copper has become a popular material for a number of uses in homes besides wiring and water pipes. Many people are taking advantage of the warm beauty and durability of copper for use in things like copper sinks, copper hose storage and outdoor copper fire pits. If you use copper in other areas of your home, especially outside, adding a copper fire pit can help create a cohesive theme.

Copper Fire Pits

If you are looking for a small outdoor fireplace that won’t take up too much space an outdoor copper fire pit is a good fit. Generally speaking copper fire pits are pretty small and meant to be used on a patio. Some models are even made to be easily portable. If you are looking for a portable fire pit to take to the beach or camping look for one that folds and has a carrying case.

Copper Fire Pit Table
Copper Fire Pit Table

You can also find a fire pit table that uses a copper fire bowl. Most of these have a relatively small table space, but they still provide additional functionality and they can be used as a small patio table. Some of them even have decorative mosaic tile that can help enhance the look of your patio especially when blended well with planters or other outdoor accenting items on your patio.

Most copper fire pits come with a few basic outdoor fireplace accessories like a spark screen, a lifting tool and a stand. Some will even come with fire pit covers, if not consider investing in one to help protect it and to prevent ashes from blowing in your yard.

While solid copper fire bowls can be expensive, especially if you choose an artisan crafted hammered copper fire bowl, those made with iron and coated in copper are much less expensive. You can find a number of copper coated fire pits under $200.

It is important to know that copper outdoor fire pits won’t keep that shiny copper look. Once they are used and as they sit outside they will develop a patina over time. Some people love the look of the patina finish so this is seen as a benefit, but others don’t. Just don’t expect it to remain shiny over time.

As with any other wood burning outdoor fire pits copper patio fire pits may create a bit more smoke if they use wood for fuel because they don’t have a design to direct the smoke upwards like an chiminea or a fixed brick or stone outdoor fireplace. However if you choose a gas fire pit you won’t have this problem with smoke.

Copper Fire Bowl
Copper Fire Bowl

Because this style of patio fireplace is so easy to move around sometimes people forget about basic fire safety. Make sure you only use it on a stable non-flammable surface. Also be sure to keep your backyard fire pit a safe distance from anything remotely flammable like branches, bushes or your home.

Copper Fire Bowls

A copper fire bowl is pretty similar to a copper fire pit, in fact some may use the terms interchangeably. To me though copper fire bowls are deeper, rounder and many of them have more distinct design features. I’ve seen some fire pit bowls that are in the shape of dancing flames or other intricate designs. But overall a copper fire bowl will have the same benefits and drawbacks as a copper fire pit.

Fire Rings

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Many of us have wonderful memories of gathering around a campfire on a chilly evening in the great outdoors. My memories include making a small campfire ring out of rocks we could find in the area. If we couldn’t find enough rocks it would be a very small fire. But now I have a folding fire ring that collapses so we can easily take it with us wherever we go. It’s great because it’s so easy to take with us and we can always make a nice fire to sit around and enjoy.

Why Should You Have A Fire Ring?

Having a solid fire ring is important for safety, whether it’s a metal, concrete or a stone fire ring. You never want to take the chance of a fire spreading or getting out of hand, in dry areas this can be detrimental. We’ve all seen the news stories about the potential destruction of wildfires. Beyond fire safety outdoor fireplace rings also help keep the ashes under control.

Camp Fire Ring
Camp Fire Ring

There are a lot of fun fire rings available now. Some are silhouetted with things like outdoor scenery, moose, trees, stars etc. As your fire burns the silhouetted designs dance around things surrounding your outdoor fire ring.

Cooking On Fire Rings

Portable fire pit rings are great because they are so easy to either use at home or take with you. Our foldable ring is especially nice because it easily folds and fits in it’s carrying case. It also came with a fire ring grill making a perfect combination for camping. The grill rack sits nicely within the ring so you can have just the campfire or you can add the grill and cook breakfast, lunch or dinner. Because the grill rack is flat with thinly spaced bars it works great for our camping coffee maker too. There are a variety of fire rings with a grill attachment available.

Fixed Fire Pit Rings

If you have an area on your property where you want to build a fire pit, and you know they are allowed in your area, you can build a stable fire pit ring around it. Not only does this help with safety but it also helps from having a muddy mess when it rains. You can make the fire ring by partially burying a metal tube in the ground in a circular shape. Then construct a type of circular wall around it with something like flagstone — something that will be sturdy.

Not only are fire rings fun because of their designs and features, they also help contain your fire and control ash to help with fire safety. You always need to follow fire safety rules when starting a fire but a fire ring is a fun tool to help with that.

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