Should You Build an Outdoor Fireplace in Your Backyard?

While designing a custom outdoor patio for our clients Ryan and Amanda, we discovered that Ryan had his heart set on building an outdoor fireplace. “He envisioned it being right in the center of the patio when you looked out the back windows,” said Jerrimy Farris, co-founder of Texas Direct Roofing & Construction.

Most contractors would have assumed that Ryan wanted it for the visual appeal because of where he imagined it being located, but we dug one layer deeper. Jerrimy asked Ryan why he wanted the fireplace. “He told me he didn’t want to build a patio if he couldn’t use it in the winter,” according to Jerrimy.

If you’re thinking about building a custom outdoor living space, pergola, or covered patio, should you build an outdoor fire feature? We hope this handy guide will help you answer that question.

The Benefits of an Outdoor Fireplace

If you’re considering building gas fireplace or wood-burning fireplace in your outdoor space, some of these benefits are going to be obvious to you, but it’s worth listing out the reasons someone might consider it.

1. An Outdoor Fireplace is beautiful. The grand size and finishes of fireplaces give them a distinct and attractive look. The create an amazing outdoor experience.
2. It provides a central gathering spot. Friends and family will want to gather around the warmth of the fire to chat.
3. You can use it to mount accessories. The face of a brick fireplace or stone fireplace can be used to mount an outdoor TV, speakers, or decor.
4. A fireplace can provide privacy. If positioned correctly, a fireplace can hide unattractive things in the background or provide privacy from neighbors.

The Downsides of an Outdoor Fireplace

Building an outdoor fireplace is not a no-brainer for every patio. Many customers will decide to move forward with creating one, but there are several reasons you may choose to reconsider.

1. Space considerations. You may not want to build a fireplace if your patio doesn’t have a lot of square feet of space, or you need all the floor space for seating. You may also have to plan for wood storage.
2. Limited Budget. Outdoor fireplaces cost more than some alternatives, so many customers are limited by their project budget.
3. You need a lot of heat. If you want to use your patio space when it’s frigid outside, some alternatives to fireplaces provide more warmth.

Alternatives to Outdoor Fireplaces

Let’s circle back to our customers Ryan and Amanda. After we walked them through the points above, they decided an outdoor fireplace was not the best choice. Since Ryan was adamant about using the whole patio space in the winter, we encouraged him to install Infratech Infrared Heaters. They mount flush into the ceiling, so they’re not obtrusive, and the amount of heat they produce can be dialed in, depending on the temperature outside.

“The infrared heaters were absolutely the right choice, at the end of the day,” Ryan told us. He’s even turned them on so he would exercise on his patio during ice storms. “They can be used on low when it’s not super cold, or I can crank them up when it’s freezing, and they cover the entire patio with heat,” Ryan said.

A set of two 61″ heaters will, on average, cost about one-third less than a fully built outdoor fireplace. It’s true that they don’t have the same ambiance as a fireplace, but they get the job done. “They put off a really cool orange glow, though,” Ryan said. “I get comments and compliments on them every time they’re on.”

Outdoor Fireplace Versus Infrared Heaters

It’s possible this guide helped you decide which way to proceed, but if you’re still unsure, that’s alright. We’d love to send a design consultant out to you to help walk you through outdoor fireplace designs, show you some of our example backyard living spaces, and discuss which option will be the best fit for you. At the end of the day, it’s your patio space, and it should fit your lifestyle.