Outdoor Fireplaces - Adding Flair With Flame

Everyone loves the relaxing glow of a fireplace

, whether it is in your living room or at a camping spot in the woods. One trend that has come on strong in recent years is the outdoor fireplace - either stand-alone, portable units (fire pits) or a brick structure that is in itself, a decorative addition to the home.

One of the key advantages to having an outdoor fireplace is being able to extend the use of your patio into the cooler months. If you build your fireplace within a covered porch area, it can even be used on rainy days, or for the very hearty souls, when the snow flies.

Before you even lay one brick (or stone) for your fireplace, you must decide whether it will burn wood or gas. Each has its own merit.

Gas fireplaces are easy to start, burn clean and odorless, and can be set up to look imitate a wood-burning flame. Some gas fireplaces even have a remote device to light the flame from a short distance.

Wood burning fireplaces takes a little more effort. First is the need to have a dry place to stack wood, unless you use pressed logs bought at a store. Starting a wood fire is also not as simple as flipping a switch. But for people who love the smoky smell and the sound of a crackling fire, there is nothing like the real thing.

Designs are unlimited

Depending on the space available and your budget, outdoor fireplaces can be as simple, or as elaborate the mind can create. However, there are municipal laws and regulations that may quash designs that are over the top. Outdoor fireplaces must be built within municipal codes, which often dictate what type of materials can be used. Most importantly, fire safety and adequate ventilation systems must be adhered to for everyone's sake.

Have you decided where you would like to have your backyard fireplace? Does space allow for a gathering area away from the main house? Some designs have incorporated the back side of the fireplace used inside the home. This should be completed during the initial building of the home's fireplace, as there will need to be two flues, but both can share the same chimney.

The most popular material for outdoor fireplaces is stone. With such a wide range of colors, textures and sizes, stone creates a natural, relaxing oasis for entertaining or just unwinding after a hectic day. Because stone is impervious to the wrath of Mother Nature, outdoor fireplaces will last for years without significant maintenance.

by: Greg Smith

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