Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoor living

What you need to consider before installing a built-in outdoor fireplace

Stacey Nguyen
By

When you entertain guests on your patio or in your yard, a built-in outdoor fireplace can be a great way to add heat and ambiance as you wine and dine. A well-designed fireplace can add a touch of coziness to autumn and winter soirees when you want to warm up next to the flickering flames outdoors.

What the built-in style usually entails is a fireplace attached to an outside wall of your home. To ensure that things stay safe, it’s important to come up with a thorough plan before installation. More often than not, homeowners will consult professional contractors to ensure the security and durability of their designs, since built-in outdoor fireplaces are often custom projects as opposed to ready-to-go pieces.

Recommended Videos

So what kind of outdoor fireplace designs are out there? Here are the most popular types and what you should consider before installing them!

Related

Brick fireplace

Fireplace material

When it comes to material, the two main categories for outdoor fireplaces are brick or stone and metal. Ahead, we’ll go over what each is great for and how to maintain them.

Brick or stone fireplace

Evoking a rustic look, a brick or stone outdoor fireplace is a classic choice that matches most patio furniture and outdoor structures. (Brick is especially ideal for pizza ovens or outdoor kitchen designs.) Arranging a simple brick fire pit should be a feasible project for many savvy DIY-ers, but anything more complicated will likely require the assistance of a professional mason.

Once your brick or stone fireplace is ready, it’ll be a low-maintenance workhorse for all your outdoor hosting ventures. Brick and stone retain heat well and aren’t vulnerable to corrosion. To clean your fireplace, all you have to do is use a hose to spray water onto the bricks, add soap, and gently scrub away any build-up with a fiber or plastic bristle brush. For tough smoke stains, you may need to use a scouring powder that contains bleach.

Metal fireplace

Metal fireplaces are also relatively easy to maintain, although they have a sleeker, more modern look as opposed to a rustic one. Except for freestanding designs (such as chimeneas) and fire pits, there are seldom metal fireplace kits readily available, so you’ll need to work with a contractor who specializes in metal to install a mantlepiece-style fireplace. To clean a metal fireplace, use a broom to remove soot and other debris, then use a cloth or brush to wipe down the exterior and interior with soapy water.

Burning log fireplace
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Fireplace fuel

You can fuel your built-in outdoor fireplace in a variety of different ways. Here’s what you need to know about each method.

Gas fireplace

Gas is inexpensive and burns cleanly, but you’ll likely need to install a gas line. The initial gas pipe setup costs can be pricey, especially if you have obstacles like pools and decks.

Propane fireplace

Propane burns relatively cleanly, but it’s not as clean as natural gas. If you use propane, you’ll need to occasionally refill the propane tank instead of relying on a gas line.

Wood-burning fireplace

Wood is the most traditional option here, and it’s probably what you’re thinking of when you imagine huddling around a fire with loved ones while admiring the burning logs, crackling fire, and smoky, woody scent. While burning wood may evoke a cozy sense of nostalgia, keep in mind that it requires regular cleaning.

Electric fireplace

Another option for your outdoor fireplace is an electric one. And no, there won’t be an actual fire in your fireplace. This design is basically an electric heater with the appearance of fire—while it may not seem as conventional, there’s no need for cleaning up afterward, so it’s the tidiest option here.

If you’re building an outdoor fireplace for entertaining guests, you’ll have a myriad of choices when it comes to outdoor fireplace types. Choose between a romantic and traditional brick design or a sleek and contemporary metal one. And whether you want to fuel up your fire with gas, propane, wood, or electricity, you have options for how to get your fire started, too. After consulting a professional mason or contractor with all of the above in mind, you’ll be well on your way to cozying up around a beautiful outdoor fireplace with loved ones.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Stacey Nguyen
Stacey Nguyen
Contributor
Stacey's work has appeared on sites such as POPSUGAR, HelloGiggles, Buzzfeed, The Balance, TripSavvy, and more. When she's…
5 outdoor living trends that will totally improve your 2022
women outside sitting

After being stuck in our homes the last two years, we've started to realize that making our homes into a lovely place to be is very important. However, we can only stay inside for so long before we ache for sunshine and nature. Turning your outdoor space into a haven where you can escape the indoors and enjoy some fresh air will improve your 2022 no matter what it throws at us. So here are some ways to spruce up your outdoor living space so you can enjoy the spring when it finally comes back around.

Bring indoor luxuries to an outdoor space
The best way to encourage yourself to go outside more often is to make it as comfortable as possible. So often, we choose indoor seating instead of going outside simply because that huge sectional is way more comfortable to lounge on. So instead, invest in comfortable seating, plenty of surfaces for drinks and electronics, and maybe even purchase some umbrellas or awnings so you can sit outside even if it's lightly raining. Making an easy transition from indoors to outdoors will encourage everyone in the home to come out more often and enjoy the space.
Vertical gardening
Not everyone has the luxury of having an expansive backyard. If you're struggling to know what to do with your smaller space, but you know you want more plants and gardening opportunities, try vertical gardening! This is where you take a wall of your deck or fence and grow plants one on top of the other. You might have seen these as living walls or those DIY projects with pallets and herbs. Either way, growing flowers or veggies vertically allows you to garden without taking up precious space in your smaller yard.
Outdoor office
Many of us spend a lot of time inside at our desks. If you were lucky enough to work from home the last few years, you might have a pretty decent setup for your home office. However, spending all day inside when the weather is excellent can be depressing, and if you're home, why not take advantage of the opportunity and create an outdoor office space? This allows you to keep working while enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. Endless studies are proving that getting outside more often improves mental and physical health!

Read more
What you need to know about successfully growing summer squash in containers
container summer squash man cutting

You can roast it, you can sauté it, you can slice it, and you better believe you can dice it. Summer squash is chock full of important vitamins and minerals, so it’s delicious and nutritious. But if your garden is running out of real estate, have no fear. There’s no reason you can’t grow squash in a container. Although summer squash requires a not-insignificant amount of TLC, it’s more than worth it for lovers of this agreeable fruit (and yes, it is technically a fruit). Here’s a complete guide to everything you need to know.

Picking the right squash for the job
As many gardeners know, summer squash does not describe a specific species but rather the timing of the harvest. Yellow squash are harvested earlier in their life cycle, when the outer rind is still edible. No need to peel!

Read more
Good, better, best: The perfect gas grill for your outdoor kitchen
best outdoor gas grill woman grilling outside

Grills these days do a lot more than cook Independence Day hot dogs. Viewed as a more flavorful and healthful alternative to some other, more conventional cooking methods, grilling is the centerpiece of many a culinary adventure, from the everyday to the downright fancy.

Does any of that sound appealing? You may be ready to make a long-term investment in a heavy-duty gas grill. A solid gas grill is easy and economical to use, stands up to wear and tear over time, is fairly simple to use and maintain, and can provide the kind of flexibility and functionality you need in an everyday cooking space.

Read more