An outdoor fireplace can add life and warmth to any home; it is slowly becoming a popular trend and a nice way of promoting togetherness when family members can meet at the fireplace in the comfort of the outdoors in their very own home environment. Take a few friends and some basic tools and you will be on your way to adding life to your own yard. It just takes a little time and effort and soon you’ll have your own outdoor fireplace if you follow the instructions given below.
Tools required
- Shovel
Materials required
- Cement
- Gravel
- Concrete blocks
- Cinder blocks
Instructions
- Seek a location that is not too close to the house, barns or anything that could catch fire easily. Remove any types of plants or vines from the area where construction will take place. Outline the area which you want to use by determining the size of the fireplace you would like.
- Purchase a pre-fabricated fireplace at your local hardware/department store that has already been built with all the necessary safety precautions. This is normally the recommended step to take when making an outdoor fireplace.
- Mix concrete using cement and shovel with gravel, then pour concrete onto the area to build a platform or foundation for the fireplace.
- Install the fireplace onto the platform by following the instructions on the package provided by the manufacturer of the prefabricated fireplace.
- Build the chimney using blocks and cement to construct around the fireplace at the base. Make sure the chimney is tall enough so the surrounding areas of the foundation. You can also install a fireplace screen to prevent fire hazards then place firewood inside the hearth so it is ready for use.
- Lastly, you can place seats near the fireplace about three feet away where there is enough clearance between it and the fireplace.
Tips and Warning
- Make sure the fireplace is built on leveled ground, clear of trees, overhanging vines, and branches because these elements can be caught on fire by stray sparks There should also be no underground wires or cables.
- If you don’t want to use concrete to build the platform, cinder blocks can be used as well.
- Research and find out the restrictions and codes that could apply to your community concerning air quality and safety precautions. This will inform you of whether or not a permit may be necessary to build your own outdoor fireplace. the fireplace opening can be a little lower.