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Outdoor Fireplace Design

Outdoor fireplaces can be a great enhancement to a patio or outdoor entertainment space.

Outdoor fireplaces are a wonderful focal point for laying out your patio design for entertaining. They create a natural gathering spot for family and friends and warm up chilly evenings. Fireplaces act as dividers of space by sectioning off seating areas for conversations, grill locations, a bar can be incorporated and dining. You can design your patio around your fireplace location and incorporate seating areas with tables, chairs and throw in a few plants to add another element of natural relaxation to the surroundings.



You will find that most outdoor fireplaces are similar to the ones you would find indoors, but outdoor fireplaces are designed and built to withstand the weather when exposed to the elements. This is an advantage to lighting up a fire when it is extremely windy or when less than desired weather occurs. Outdoor fireplaces are contained which is designed to maintain a constant, even and efficient flame, all while emitting heat. Since outdoor fireplaces need to be weatherproof, you will need to build (or have built) an enclosure for the fireplace insert. You can create a vertical wall-like structure, usually made from masonry, a chimney-like structure, and even a low box that is a little larger than the fireplace itself. Whichever structure you decide on, obviously it needs to be rot and waterproof to protect the integrity of the fireplace, the valves and ignitor.



Modern stainless steel gas fireplace inserts are highly efficient as they maintain a constant stream of gas and even burn to them. The advantage of choosing a propane or natural gas burner system is that it burns cleaner (which is mother nature friendly), there is no mess to clean up afterward and starting and stopping the flame is as easy as a flick of a switch.

The Warming Trends Crossfire Burner System is even more efficient than conventional gas systems because of the mixture of air to gas ratio which creates a taller dancing flame while burning half the fuel of a conventional burning system. Having a gas fireplace means you are going to have to run a propane or natural gas line to the enclosure. You can call a local plumbing contractor or HVAC specialist to come install the line for on average $8-15 per linear foot.