Outdoor Fireplace Options

An outdoor fireplace can be a great focal point for gathering and entertaining friends and family, as well as a valuable addition to any backyard, deck or outdoor living space. You'll have plenty of options when it comes to purchasing or choosing a design for an outdoor fireplace, and ultimately your choice will be driven mainly by the style aesthetic you're targeting, your budget, and your goals for creating a warm and welcoming outdoor space.

The first thing to consider when deciding on an outdoor fireplace purchase or design direction is whether your outdoor fireplace will be an immobile fixture or a portable element of your backyard design. A benefit of portable outdoor fireplaces is that they provide for almost unlimited flexibility in terms of their location (within the bounds of some common sense safety guidelines—for example, they should never be located too close to low hanging branches or bushes) in your backyard or on your deck. Additionally, portable fireplaces are now available in a wide array of different designs and finishes, so you should have no trouble finding one that's a fit for your outdoor living space.

If a portable outdoor fireplace seems too impermanent or you're just not convinced you'll need the flexibility to move your fireplace around the backyard, a permanent outdoor fireplace can be a great choice, and it also adds a luxurious feel to your backyard or deck. It should be noted that built-in or permanent outdoor fireplaces tend to require more extensive construction and are therefore generally require a more extensive budget than freestanding or portable outdoor fireplaces.

When it comes to choosing materials for a free-standing or built-in outdoor fireplace, you'll find that stone, stucco, tile and brick are most common—although metal outdoor fireplaces and wood burning stoves are also available. Design-wise, there are many options, and you may find that the style you land on is the one that best suits your backyard or deck's prevailing design aesthetic.

One important note about outdoor fireplaces, whether they're freestanding or built in, is that they must always be located away from any potentially flammable items like trees or shrubs, and you should always use a spark guard and flame resistant fire mat when your fireplace is in use (this is especially true if your fireplace is located near your home and/or on a wooden deck). 

Also, be sure to check with your local fire department regarding their outdoor fire codes before installing your outdoor fireplace.