If you’re looking to create a cozy backyard in which guests want to spend time, an outdoor fireplace is the easiest trick in the book. This detail can appear luxurious, but you can build one yourself if you have the time and patience. Outdoor fireplaces bring a sense of calm to your yard while creating a focal point that adds value to your home.
Why an Outdoor Fireplace is a Great Decision
A fireplace for your backyard is one investment you can make in your property that doesn’t have to break the bank. Yes, you can buy some large luxury outdoor fireplaces for thousands of dollars, but you can also find some for as low as $200. You can also DIY a lovely firepit that will increase your home’s resale value if you do it right.
How to Build an Outdoor Fireplace
Building an outdoor fireplace can be as simple as finding or purchasing large rocks and concrete to create a pit, or you can get much fancier and invest in some landscaping brick to create a professional, polished look. There are many great tutorials on how to build an outdoor fireplace online. Our favourite is this simple four-step process from A Beautiful Mess. But before you make any purchase, be sure to check the rules for fireplaces in your area — every district has different rules.
How Much Does an Outdoor Fireplace Cost?
The price of an outdoor fireplace can vary widely depending on your needs. For example, you can affordably build a DIY firepit for under $50 if you are up for doing the heavy lifting yourself. But if you’d rather purchase one, there are still many price points. For example, you can buy a small free-standing wood-burning firepit for around $200 — wood burning pits are an affordable option. But if you want a custom built-in that runs on propane, you could pay as much as $5000 — depending on how large of a choice you need.
What to Look For When Choosing an Outdoor Fireplace
There are a few key things to remember when purchasing a fireplace for your backyard or back deck. First and foremost, you should ensure the regulations in your city allow for outdoor fireplaces — and find any rules attached to those regulations.
Once you know outdoor fireplaces are allowed, you’ll want to decide just how user-friendly you want the fireplace to be. For example, a gas or propane fireplace will give you fire with the flip of a switch — it’s highly convenient but can come at a higher cost and loses some of the charm of the traditional wood-burning campfire pit. On the other hand, a wood-burning pit requires a bit more time and patience to get the fire burning.
You should also factor the fuel type into the price, affecting the long-term cost. Fuel that’s easy to access and affordable in your area is essential to keep in mind when deciding what kind of fireplace you will invest in. For example, investing in a wood-burning fireplace will make sense if you have continued access to free wood. On the other hand, if you have to purchase wood continually, you might find that propane is a better deal in the long run, even if the upfront cost is higher.
Finally, you’ll want to consider the size. How large is your backyard? How large or small is the space where you want to have the firepit? It’s a good rule of thumb to measure your yard or deck and map out where you want the pit to go to ensure it won’t be too large or too small for the area. Too small, and it will end up looking odd. Too large, and it will dominate the space.
5 of the Best Outdoor Fireplaces on the Market
Here are some of the top outdoor fireplaces currently available for this summer season:
Most Affordable Option
Endless Summer Steel Wood Burning Outdoor Fireplace
Best for Large Spaces
Quillen Wood Burning Outdoor Fireplace
Best for Propane
Cal Flame Propane Gas Outdoor Fireplace
Best for Small Spaces
Briarglen Fire Ball with Tree Branches
Best Fire Table
Endless Summer Gas Outdoor Black Fire Table
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, now you know how to build an outdoor fireplace and how to choose the correct outdoor fireplace for your home. This small investment can add significant resale value to your home while providing a summer outdoor space everyone wants to spend time in. Why go camping when you can bring the best part of camp life to your very own backyard?
