The Different Options of Outdoor Fireplaces
If you love to spend time outdoors in your backyard even in the cooler months, there’s no better way to relax than in front of a roaring fireplace. Fireplaces aren’t just for indoors; there are many outdoor options to choose from that can turn a ho-hum evening into a fun and entertaining one. Twelve Oaks Landscape can provide you with just the right outdoor fireplace or fire pit for your family to enjoy in your outdoor living space. From custom built to pre-fab to kits, you have several options at your disposal when considering an outdoor fireplace or firepit.
Fireplace Kits
Outdoor fireplace kits are available in a range of design styles and types, from traditional wood-burning to gas and propane fired. At a fraction of the cost of a custom built fireplace, you still get the warmth and coziness of an outdoor fireplace, plus you can enjoy it sooner because it doesn’t need a complicated installation. You’ll save yourself some money with full kits, which range in price from $500 to $2,500, with add-on amenities available such as pizza ovens, lighting and higher-quality stone, says HGTV.
With kits, however, you don’t get authentic stone; rather, you get a stone “finish” over the base which ensures their portability if needed. Light fireplaces can pose a safety hazard, as they can tip over easily. Also, the size of the pit itself is limited and you may have a hard time loading wood into it. At the very least, you’ll have to load wood much more frequently than if you had a large, custom sized pit. You’ll also have to factor in assembly of the kit, which can take up precious time if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Pre-Fab Fireplaces
From wood burning to gas, pre-fab fireplaces are just that: pre-fabricated in the factory. They come virtually ready to install, so you can have access quickly to your new outdoor fireplace. They’re easy to control for temperature and they’re easier and cheaper to install than, say, a custom fireplace. Pre-fabs are a mid-range option in terms of price.
Pre-fab fireplaces can be more prone to leakage, thanks to damaged chimney chase covers or deteriorated sealants around the lining pipes. They’re not as sturdy as masonry fireplaces, so even small fires can result in damage.
Custom Built Fireplaces
Custom masonry fireplaces are great because you can incorporate virtually any design you want to fit into your backyard landscape. Round, rectangular, sunken, raised…the possibilities are endless. Usually featuring natural stone or concrete block, custom fireplaces can be finished with stucco, stone or brick veneer, decorative concrete, or even tile. The end result is a completely custom, one-of-a-kind masterpiece that no one else has, offering you a timeless addition to your backyard that serves as a conversation piece as well as a functional element.
That being said, you will likely have to hire a stone mason to perform this work, which leads to a higher price tag in terms of labor and materials. Custom fireplaces take the longest to create, so timelines can become a frustrating factor. Also, the price tag is large, with many custom fireplaces costing $10,000 and up depending on the size of the fireplace itself as well as how big the hearth is, along with the quality of materials used.
Safety is the main concern, no matter which kind of outdoor fireplace you choose. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), outside fireplaces or fire pits caused nearly 3,700 grass and brush fires each year and fire pit injuries nearly tripled between 2006 and 2012.
Call Twelve Oaks Landscape Co. at (256) 208-5634 to learn about our different fireplace options, from lower cost fire place kits to mid-range pre-fab fireplaces to higher cost and quality custom-built fireplaces. We are proud to sell and install Belgard’s Brighton Fireplace Series, a quality line of products that represents long-lasting value for your money.
