Your backyard serves many purposes. Using your backyard as an extension of your homes living space allows you to have a place to entertain friends and family. Building an outdoor fireplace or fire pit provides you a place where people can sit and relax after a long work day. Outdoor fireplaces work well when used in conjunction with a covered or screened porch. Fire pits make great additions to patios and around swimming pools. Fire pits also work well beside lakes, rivers, and streams in natural settings.
When looking to design an outdoor fireplace or fire pit, consider what you will be using the area for. Will you be entertaining friends and family or seeking a more intimate seeking for you and your spouse?
Be sure that when designing your fire pit that you make it large enough so that all your guests can gather around without feeling cramped. Layout the area with the chairs to verify the size before you begin digging the footers.
For a more intimate arrangement you can choose furniture such as over-sized outdoor couches and chairs that seat two people comfortably and allow you to sit back and enjoy a bottle of wine by a warm fire.
Fireplaces built outdoors are much like those built indoors. The chimney has to be tall enough to clear any roof lines by the appropriate setbacks and provide a strong draw. You should consider consulting a professional contractor before beginning construction, but there are some kits that can be purchased that can be installed by someone with minimal carpentry skills.
Fire pits can be above or below the ground depending on your needs and location. Fire pits have a fire rated brick veneer over concrete block with a poured concrete with reinforced steel footing and a fire rated brick floor. You can install a gas fuel line for igniting a fire and a plumbing drain line for easy cleanup as options if you choose.
There are also a lot of attractive metal fire pits which can be purchased from your favorite home store. These fire pits should be placed on a brick paver or concrete patio away from flammable material like decks and not situated under any roof overhangs.
In Closing
Whether you choose to build an outdoor fireplace or fire pit, you can be sure that it will provide you with many nights of enjoyment year round.