Outdoor fireplaces can be a truly breathtaking addition to any home, giving a garden a decorative and functional center point at the same time. Building an outdoor fireplace, however, requires sensible evaluations even before starting construction, especially if you intend to start from scratch. If you want to build a fireplace that will last a lifetime, follow the next steps.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Plan the Basics
Step 1. Assess the purpose of your outdoor fireplace
The reasons that could push you to build a fireplace may be different but, depending on the needs of each one, it is important to take into consideration different elements to bring your project to a conclusion.
- Environment: fireplaces can change the atmosphere of an environment. An open fireplace can create an intimate atmosphere for small groups of friends. If you're planning on hosting a party in style, you might want to build a fireplace with two open ends to accommodate more people. An underground brazier will allow everyone present to have a good point of view and will give the environment the atmosphere of a camping fire.
- Functionality: You can build a fireplace that also serves as a pizza oven or barbecue, but these projects are much more complex.
Step 2. Evaluate the model of the hearth
Many owners combine the stonework of the fireplace with that of their home, even if it is not mandatory. Bricks will allow you to create a more traditional facade, while manually stacked stones will give it a more contemporary look. If you prefer to give up a stone exterior, stucco is also a popular option.
Step 3. Determine the size of the fireplace
It must be proportionate to the surrounding environment. Try to understand if you want it to represent the main point of the courtyard, or simply an addition to an already complete environment.
Try to design the fireplace with proportions in mind. You don't want its dimensions to completely overwhelm those of your home, but neither do you want the hearth to be too small compared to it
Step 4. Decide if you want to build a wood or gas fireplace
What kind of fireplace suits your home best? Most fireplaces run on either wood or gas, and each offers some advantages and disadvantages:
- Wood-burning fireplaces offer a more natural atmosphere, sound and smell that gas units simply cannot imitate. A traditional fireplace, however, will produce a significant amount of smoke, and therefore must have a flue that meets specific characteristics.
- One of the main evaluations in support of a gas fireplace is the possibility of connecting the firebox to an existing system. Gas fireplaces offer several advantages over wood-burning fireplaces: they do not produce ash or embers, they do not require a chimney and are rarely subject to building permits. However, they don't give off as much heat and don't have the rustic charm of a wood-burning unit.
Step 5. If you are planning to build a wood-burning fireplace, obtain the necessary permits
Often a simple communication to your municipality will suffice. Contact your local administration to ask how best to proceed. You will be able to start building after receiving the necessary permits.
Step 6. If you are planning to build a gas fireplace, locate your system
You can also ask for help from the gas management company, which will help you identify the line closest to the chimney.
Method 2 of 3: Choose a Template
Step 1. Choose an assembly kit for greater efficiency
There are really all kinds of them, from the simplest structures to the most ornamental pieces, complete with everything you need. The main advantage of the kits is that you can choose from many different styles depending on your budget. Do you have little money available? No problem, you will surely find a kit that is right for you. Can you afford to spend with great fanfare? Congratulations, you have no limits of any kind.
Step 2. Make your personal project
Do you want to experience the thrill of planning, or are you a bricklayer? Why settle for a pre-made kit when you can build the perfect model you have in mind, without having to compromise? Most DIY projects use concrete blocks or other sturdy and inexpensive materials as the internal structure; this structure is then covered with stones or other coatings. Evaluate the three main elements of your outdoor fireplace when designing your model:
- Base: A reinforced concrete base is the best possible solution. Custom fireplaces are typically heavier than pre-made ones, which means your base will need to be stronger and stronger than normal.
- Brazier: it will be the space that will actually host the fire and must therefore be composed of refractory bricks. However, you can purchase a prefabricated brazier (usually made of stainless steel or other bricks) if you don't want to build it yourself.
- Chimney or Ventilation Duct: A wood-burning fireplace will require a chimney and a spark arrestor grate, while a gas fireplace will only need a ventilation duct.
Step 3. Consider adding other features to the fireplace
It does not have to be a simple fireplace, on the contrary: if you are building an outdoor fireplace, it can be useful to customize it with other functions or aesthetic finishes. Consider:
- Integrated Seats: Warming up to the warmth of the hearth is a real luxury, so why not build wall seats as an extension of the hearth itself? They look great and instantly add charm to any fireplace.
- Wood container: a very practical addition to a wood-burning fireplace, which will make its accumulation and use much easier and painless.
Method 3 of 3: Building the Fireplace
Step 1. Pour the concrete for the foundation
Build them by first digging a trench in the ground and using a compactor to prop it up. Mix and pour the cement and let it sit for at least 24 hours, if not more.
- Check with local authorities for any limitations or requirements regarding foundation depth. Some spots will require concrete foundations only about 12cm deep, while others will need to be up to 30cm deep.
- Note: concrete and mortar, although similar, are different fixing agents and must be used differently. Concrete is used for foundations if necessary, while mortar is used to bond concrete blocks and concrete bricks.
Step 2. Spread the mortar over the foundation and start arranging your concrete or concrete blocks
Follow the construction project carefully, making sure all blocks are at the same level.
- When creating the base, be sure to use a level to ensure balanced placement of the concrete or concrete blocks.
- If you're building with cinder blocks, spread the mortar over each layer as well as between the individual cinder blocks.
Step 3. If necessary, place the refractory bricks inside the brazier
It is very important to be very careful in this process: you will have to arrange them in a pattern that is pleasing to the eye, but mixing them with the correct mortar.
- Follow an inlay pattern for arranging the fire bricks. An alternating arrangement will do just fine for an outdoor fireplace. Find the center of the bowl and draw a solid line to the center of the front.
- Place a fireproof brick to the left and right of the parting line, touching the front of the bowl, leaving about half an inch of space between the two. Immediately place another brick on top of the previous ones, the center of which must be positioned exactly on the dividing line of the bricks below. Above the third brick, place two more in the same position as the two placed first.
- Mix the mortar with high temperature resistant mortar. In this way, the mortar that holds the refractory bricks together will not be damaged by high temperatures.
- Arranging the bricks, cut them as needed at the corners and edges. While you should be able to do this without cutting the center pieces of the bowl, the corners and edges will force you to resize individual bricks.
Step 4. Remove any bubbles from the refractory brick mortar with a chisel and brush
Place the mortar in the crevices using a chisel. Then remove any excess mortar with a clean brush, leaving the fireplace to dry for at least 24 hours.
Step 5. Build or add a chimney for the wood-burning fireplaces
The flue must correspond to the legal specifications, in order to ensure the correct passage of the smoke coming from the brazier. It must have a recess inside that reduces the flow of smoke downwards, as well as a duct of the necessary capacity. Furthermore, it will generally have to be at least half a meter higher than the adjacent structures.
Step 6. Add a spark arrester
Like flues, spark arrestors are also a prerogative of wood-burning fireplaces. In fact, they prevent the embers from escaping from the hearth.
Step 7. Mount the outer grille
This is the opening tab of the chimney, which will allow you to have access to the brazier. It is the point of the fireplace that most of all will attract attention, so mounting it correctly is essential.
- Place the mortar in strips about 2 cm deep, 2.5 cm away from each other.
- Place the grid in place and use a mallet and level to check that it is properly seated. It will be fine even if the grill is not recessed in the brazier. Such positioning, in fact, will make it even more difficult for any sparks to escape.
Step 8. Choose a type of stone for the exterior cladding
Apply the mortar to the back of the stones and attach them to the concrete blocks. Use a spacer to separate the stones, filling the gaps between them with more mortar.
- At right angles of the fireplace, avoid joining the stones in the same way from top to bottom. Try to slightly modify the pattern. Place the first stone against a corner, then approach another one about a couple of centimeters, in order to join them. With the next two stones, alternate the joining mode: pop the first stone out, then place the second stone against the wall. This will create a pleasing pattern along the corners of the fireplace.
- Once applied, let the mortar sit for at least 24 hours to harden. If possible, let the fireplace sit for several days before trying to use it.
Step 9. Connect your gas fireplace to the system
If you are building such a fireplace, be prepared to get gas to the hearth to make it work.
- Turn off the gas.
- Use plumbing putty on the wires of the main line to connect it to the flexible lines.
- Screw the connection with a wrench until it is tight. Check the tightness of the connection by pouring dish soap over it.
- Open the gas. If bubbles form, you will need to double check the connection.
Step 10. That's it
You have successfully added value to your home while renovating your yard. Enjoy your new outdoor fireplace!
Advice
- Consider building your fireplace from a kit. This will greatly simplify the construction process. Many kits include a modular design, include a detailed instruction manual, and can be built in a few days. In addition, you will be sure that it complies with the legal specifications relating to the flue and brazier. However, you will need to buy the finishing stones separately.
- Consider building a patio around the fireplace, especially if you plan to use it for cooking.
