Providing the ideal place for family and friends to gather, an outdoor fireplace is very popular with many homeowners. Similar to indoor fireplaces in many aspects, outdoor models however are generally easier to install do to the simple fact, location. Being outside there are generally fewer obstructions and clearance restriction issues to deal with, allowing you greater flexibility on the style of fireplace you want to install.

Before you purchase an outdoor fireplace I highly recommend that you check with local planning and building officials to ensure that it conforms to local building and fire codes. Some of the issues you should consider include: How difficult is it to feed the fuel source to your fireplace? What type of fuel does your fireplace operate on; propane, natural gas, electricity or wood? What is the proximity to other buildings? What is the proximity to other power sources such as overhead lines? All these are important questions that you will need to have answered before you start installing your fireplace.

To better help you decide on what type of style you want for a fireplace consider sketching out a design for where you want your fireplace to be installed. By this I mean what will your fireplace be installed in, do you want a simple box with three sides or a more elaborate design, one that includes ledges, shelves and lighting. Be a little creative and you will have an entertainment area that your neighbors will be envious of.

A large variety of materials can be found to help customize the look of the exterior of your fireplace. The most commonly used product to decorate outdoor fireplaces is the old standby, brick; it provides timeless style that will help enhance the value and marketability of your home. Other materials include real rock which is generally more expensive and harder to find than the more popular fake rock. I suggest you use the internet and search out a number of exterior stone/brick manufacturers to help generate some ideas on what you want your fireplace to look like.

A common a relatively inexpensive outdoor fireplace is the chiminea which is usually made from cast iron or ceramic. This simple yet attractive design is also very popular as a stand alone piece of furniture, providing a warm southwestern feel to your home. Chiminea's come in wide variety of sizes and styles and can be found in local hardware stores, home outfitting stores as well as online.

Copyright (c) 2009 Randy Heslip