Outdoor Brick Fireplaces
Gather info on outdoor brick fireplaces, and prepare to install a sturdy and attractive outdoor fireplace in your external living space.
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If you've got plans for an outdoor living space project and would like it to feature a cozy gathering, entertaining and even cooking space, you may want to consider the wide array of options available for outdoor brick fireplaces. From easy to install, pre-fabricated units that you can pick up at your local home improvement store and have blazing in a matter of hours, to fully customized versions built to your exact specifications, you'll have plenty of options to choose from.
Your first consideration when thinking about an outdoor brick fireplace—or any outdoor fire feature, for that matter—should be safety. When it comes to staying safe with regard to outdoor fireplaces, location is your best friend. You'll definitely want your outdoor brick fireplace to be located somewhere that's completely free and clear of overhanging branches, nearby bushes, or patches of extremely dry grass. You should also have a water source and fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergency. Following these simple guidelines—in addition to checking with your local municipality regarding any regulations for outdoor fireplaces—will help ensure that your new outdoor fireplace is as safe as it is enjoyable.
When considering a location for your outdoor fireplace, some common areas will likely be in the running. Many homeowners choose to locate their fireplace directly adjacent to the home, on a deck or patio, for convenience and so that it can be close to other gathering or cooking spaces. In other cases, the outdoor fireplace may sit farther back in the yard, to create a distinct gathering place.
When you've decided where your outdoor brick fireplace will be located, it's time to determine whether it'll be a DIY install, or if you'll hire a contractor to custom build your outdoor brick fireplace. Factors including your budget, your level of DIY skill, and the complexity of the fireplace—in particular, whether it will burn wood, gas or propane—will likely come into play here. One option that appeals to many homeowners is the semi-customizable outdoor fireplace "kit." Available from many home improvement stores in a variety of design styles, outdoor fireplace kits often come with an unfinished façade that can then be finished by the homeowner with the material of their choosing—with choices ranging from stucco and stone to brick and metal. Another advantage of these modular units is that they are almost universally portable—which means that you'll have the flexibility to change the location of your outdoor fireplace over time if you so desire.