Common…
You know that you secretly have always thought about having an outdoor fireplace/fireplace outdoors (whatever you want to call it) when you see them in the movies and think to yourself.
It’s about time I thought about having one of those too.
Why?
You may well ask:
The Fireplace Outdoors
1 — Cozy Fires
2 — A Romantic Setting
3 — Warmth when the Electricity is Out
4 – Fire for Cooking
5 – Eco-Friendly Heating
6 – Cut Energy Costs
7 – Energy IndependenceUnless you have been living under a rock lately you might have missed that having a fireplace outdoors is currently one of the hottest home accessories trends today…
Yes, the outdoor fireplace in increasingly becoming more and more popular.
Maybe we are connecting to something primaeval that lurks within all of us of a time gone by when we lived and worked by the fireplace that makes us feel safe and content.
Whatever it is and I feel the same, there is a connection that cannot be denied with us and the fireplace that is even more emphasized with it is nighttime and that feeling of being secure the closer we are to the fire’s light and warmth.
They not only add an interesting addition to your backyards during all weathers really, after all…
They are fireplaces to keep you warm as well.
So why not add a little spice and go out and sit around the outdoor fireplace area and be inspired?
Do Outdoor Fireplaces Give Off Heat?
Yes, they do but that is not really why you would have an outdoor fireplace area is it?
It’s for the atmosphere and also cooking.
Glass can serve the purpose of radiating heat, which is more effective than blowers.
And you might not get as much heat as you would as indoor heaters but you will feel the fire’s heat as long as you don’t go and sit too far away from the fire.
Fire Places Outdoors: Do They Add Value To Your Home?
Anything outside in your garden or porch is going to add value to your place when it comes to entertaining.
People love to get outside and entertain other people.
They also entertain themselves with that feeling of being outside and being at one with the elements.
Being cooped up inside the house when you are in the warmer months is not all that fun when the outdoors is beckoning you to come out and just relax.
Not only is it a great seller, but it also introduces another aspect to the house that the buyer will love and that is expanding the inside of the house to the outside, making it feel even bigger.
Can You Use An Indoor Fireplace Outside?
Well, this is an interesting one… on the tip of your tongue was it, to ask this burning question?
The Electric Fireplace can be installed outdoors if they are rated for outdoors, just don’t go and put an indoor fire place outdoors without finding out if it is suitable for outdoors OK.
It would not be an overall good experience for you if you don’t check first.
All ‘Outdoor Rated Models’ can be used both indoors and also outdoors.
Just like the indoor electric fireplaces, outdoor-rated models also run on electricity, so remember a plug outlet!
Or a long extension cord…
It might sound funny for an electric fireplace to be used outdoors – after all,
you mainly think of the old wood-burning fireplace don’t when you think of outdoors.
Well…
The strides of technology these days…
How Much Is A Stone Outdoor Fireplace?
Ahhh the good old stone fireplace…
A fireplace outdoors…
Noting like it and one of the oldest designs.
A pre-fab fireplace usually will cost you somewhere around $1,500, although that number can vary depending on such factors like the size of the fireplace and the materials you use.
You could buy a ready-made to-go fireplace to install outdoors.
There are some really nice fireplaces you can buy…
If you’re a bit strapped for cash or you just want to build one yourself.
Then you need to look into the materials to build it or you can even get a fireplace kit that will give you all the materials and directions,(ahhh! directions on paper) to build it yourself.
Hope you’re good at reading instructions you don’t want your fireplaces looking like a deconstructed fire place or something…
Do I Need A Damper For An Outdoor Fireplace?
Outdoor fireplaces are built just like their indoor fireplace counterparts with the except that you don’t need a damper, you do need, however, to use a hydraulic-setting ‘non-water soluble refractory mortar’ meaning for those who do not know what this is, which is most probably nearly everyone…
A non-water soluble refractory mortar (sometimes also called hydraulic setting) is a dry blend, requiring only cold water to be added, it is usually shipped in a bag and sets up or cures much like your regular mortar mix.
And usually, the ‘clearance-to-combustibles’ means – the clearance is the distance that is considered to be safest between a heat-producing appliance, the vent pipe, vent, chimney, chimney liner, and connector or other hot surfaces, and those other combustible materials.
I know…
Big words.
But you’ll get the handle on it, such as learning anything new.
As we know Indoor Fireplaces are traditionally designed for heating up the area to keep us warm, while a fireplace outdoors is usually used for the ambience and also cooking.
Did you know that many are also designed to double up as wood-fired ovens that allow homeowners to cook meals such as casseroles and also wait for them?
Pizzas!
If you have not already seen those entire outdoor kitchens have evolved, as I have on those tv programs. And they have become elaborate.
So much so, that you might spend more time out on your patio cooking in these cooking areas than you do inside.
Especially if you’re from a warm climate, and they have all evolved from the fireplace.
Trust humans to go and create a sophisticated setup of metal outdoor cooking ovens to fridges. You really don’t have to go indoors for anything.
Fire Place Fuel Types
The four fireplace fuel options are:
- Wood
- Gas
- Propane
- Electric
As you can see, the main fuel types that keep your fire blazing are firewood and gas.
Propane and electric.
Yes…
Fireplace outdoor gas! they do go together outdoors as well as indoors.
It’s really up to you to choose the fuel type.
Of course…
You may already have a style in mind for your personal fireplace for the outdoors, but are you aware that you can choose between gas, propane electric or wood-burning fuel?
Wood Fuel
Now, if you decide to go with wood, you will get that traditional fire with the great woodsy scent, and shifting embers that never stand still.
And those crackling logs that make you want to stare into the fire for ages and ages till you might just want to go to sleep.
Or in some cases sort out your mind in so many ways.
It’s true that a raw fire while just looking at it, can promote deep thought that can be so beneficial to sorting out your priorities and troubles all in one foul sweep.
Well…
Not in one foul sweep.
But it can certainly help you clarify things in your mind.
Why does it do that?
I don’t know…
But emitting the feeling of calmness help bring things into perspective doesn’t it, so there lies part of the answer.
Am I getting too deep for you here?
Coming back to the fireplace outdoors article then.
Gas Fuel
Oh and with gas, I should also mention that not only do you get to keep the fire clean, but you also have the convenience that the fire can be easily started and adjusted by remote control.
Oh, how modern…
Natural gas actually has the advantage, coming in at one-sixth the cost of propane in some areas I may add.
Additionally, natural gas is often seen as more convenient than propane, so you will never need to go to the gas station to get a tank of the stuff.
Propane Fuel
Now Propane comes in tanks that can be attached to a grill or your fireplace, meaning your grill or fireplace can be moved around…
If you’re asking if propane is expensive to heat with?
Well, propane heat is more efficient and economical than electric heat.
In terms of efficiency though, propane has the advantage over gas by providing about 2,500 BTUs, as with the same volume of natural gas giving you around 1,000 BTUs.
You need to think about what is better for you.
Electricity
When it comes to your electric fire place they are simple and safe to operate:
Once you get them installed, with a flick of a switch…
Making sure you have plugged it in of course… (don’t forget that or it won’t work) you have a fully burning fireplace.
Not only that, but you can also add mantels, logs, and inserts to make the best electric fireplace heater you want.
You can also be happy to know that they don’t have to be vented, that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about, or professionally installed, or maybe… a do-it-yourself job.
So you can enjoy the smaller electric fireplaces from anywhere in your home, within reason of course…
From your lounge room, and your bathroom to even you’re kitchen and even your study.
Choose The Construction Type For The Fireplace Outdoors
If you choose to have your outdoor fireplace to be fueled by gas, then it will most likely be a stainless steel model.
I know… not the earthiness you might have wanted, but if you’re the type of modern person who is into all that steel then it will be a great choice for you.
Now, if you’re building an outdoor fireplace that burns wood (rubbing my hands together) then you have many options indeed.
Your outdoor fireplace could be made of such materials as concrete and if desired, veneered with stucco, or even brick.
And if you’re a real dab at doing your own thing, then did you know that clay can even be used to build your fireplace outdoors?
Just like you see in some of those ancient fireplaces from long ago, even before the good old stone fireplaces in the homes of yesteryear.
But there is a catch!
And that is the matter of a material that is prone to cracking, and yes…
Clay can be one of them.
So the most popular material that is used for outdoor fireplaces is mainly concrete and other such choices like aluminium, cast iron or steel.
How Much Does It Cost For An Outdoor Fireplace?
An outdoor fireplace will cost anywhere between $1,500 to $20,000.
On average, it will run you about $3,000 to have a fireplace built.
Pre-made kits and unfinished contractor models usually only run from $1,500 to $9,000.
Custom projects typically cost between $8,000 to $20,000 – some even hitting $50,000.
I know… I know…
The prices can get pretty hefty if you want to go all out for the ultimate fireplace.
But if you don’t want to show off to your neighbours who are looking over that fence in awe. You can go for the less expensive option.
The Fireplace outdoors is a must for some people and there are other people who just don’t know the magic of one till they get one installed out in their backyard.
There is one thing I do know…
And that is you will not regret taking that next step to having a fireplace outdoors right in your own backyard.
Not only is it mesmerizing to watch, but it will also be a place that you will want to go back to again and again.
Bringing you out more to your backyard is not only going to be good for you mentally, but it will also help you unwind from a day at the office.
Construction company, manager of the local funny club hotel, or whatever you’re working at right now.
Wherever you’re working the thought of a fireplace outdoors is bound to want you to come home sooner to just go outside and enjoy it if not cook your meal on it.