Outdoor Fireplaces

Why on earth would anyone need a fireplace outdoors?

From the simple chimnea to the full on custom stonework piece at the end of the deck, an outdoor fireplace lends warmth to those chilly nights and instant romance and glamour to any occasion. More formal than a fire pit, they are the grown-ups' version of the campfire.

Picture the crisp early fall night outside with your friends, the lake lapping in the not-too-far-off distance, sipping coffee and hot chocolate after dinner. Imagine what an outdoor fireplace would add to the scene. The warm glow, the familiar smell, the gentle heat - how much better does life get than that?

First off, you need to make sure they are not against any local bylaws. Since fireplaces are not designed for cooking, they are classed as an "open air burning appliance." In some areas, these are just not permitted.

As with an indoor fireplace, there are risks from sparks and people coming into contact with the hot surfaces. (And yes, that latter risk is there from stoves, woodstoves, and toasters, but for some reason, laws are more likely to frown on this risk outside.)

Ask yourself, "how much do I want to spend on this fireplace?" You can purchase a simple chimnea or firebox from about $50. On the high end, you can spend thousands having a mason build you a custom river rock mason fireplace with surround.

Do you want to burn wood or have the convenience of a propane-based fire? If you are thinking of propane, you might also consider the option of buying a deck heater. It lacks the cachet of a fireplace, but gas fireplaces do not throw as much heat as wood. A high quality deck heater will cost around $1200.

Finally, we implore you not to burn anything in an outdoor fireplace that you wouldn't burn indoors. That means no leaves, grass, plastics, painted wood, etc. Many of the regulations and bylaws encountered during the research for this page expressly forbid these practices, which leads us to believe there are enough people doing it to warrant legislation.