Expand Your Home with an Outdoor Fireplace

An outdoor fireplace can be as simple as a fire pit or a chimenea you set up for parties, or it can be a permanent outdoor feature complete with hearth, chimney, and mantel. Which is the best option depends on your lifestyle, local building codes, and the size of your yard.

Fire Pits, Chimeneas, and Temporary Outdoor Fireplaces

A temporary outdoor fireplace often takes the form of a fire pit or chimenea, although newer outdoor fireplaces with round bottoms and tops and a wire firebox are also appearing in stores.

Temporary fire pits are usually copper or aluminum and stand on iron legs. A steel grate or cage can be placed over the fire for safety. After the fire has burned down and the pit has cooled, it can be relocated anywhere in the yard and stored elsewhere during the winter.

A chimenea is a Mexican pot belly fireplace. It's traditionally made out of clay and has a wide opening at the front, then a narrow chimney that extends upward. A chimenea can either sit on the ground or be placed on a stand. The fire remains contained within the belly while the smoke is channeled upward by the chimney. Sizes vary from three feet tall to well over seven feet tall. Like a fire pit, they can be relocated or removed for winter storage.

Fire cages are the newest arrival on the market. They resemble old-fashioned round barbecues, but sit lower to the ground. Between the base and the lid you'll find a metal cage inside which you place the wood. The cage contains the fire, but doesn't direct smoke as well as a chimenea. Some models are mounted on wheels for easier relocation. This is a great option if you have small children or pets, but still want a temporary outdoor fireplace.

Installing a Permanent Outdoor Fireplace

If you've enjoyed a temporary fireplace for a few seasons, you may be ready to install a permanent one. Before making that decision, make sure that you have sufficient room in your yard and that local fire and building codes permit it.

When it comes to permanent fireplaces, you have several options, including buying a fireplace kit or hiring a contractor. You can also choose between stone, metal, or masonry fireplaces. Masonry fireplaces are the most durable, but cost more to install because they usually require a contractor.

You can also choose the size of your fireplace and its design. It can range from a smaller metal fireplace to a large stone wall or corner unit with hearth seating, a decorative mantel, and a tall chimney. In many ways, installing a permanent outdoor fireplace is like adding a room to your home, so make your decision carefully because you'll have this fireplace for years to come.