How To Build An Outdoor Fireplace?

Step 1: What purpose do you want your fireplace to serve? The reasons for building an outdoor fireplace are many, and yours could be one among those or something different as well. Whatever be the reasons, you need to consider some aspects before you plunge into the task.
Setting: An outdoor fireplace is an excellent location to conduct small gatherings or even large parties. Depending on your necessity, you have to construct the fireplace in such a way that it suits your needs. For small get-togethers, consider building an open hearth. A fireplace with two open ends accommodates more people and is ideal for large parties. If you want a campfire setting, a fire pit is the best.
Objective: An intricate design can result in a fireplace that serves as a barbecue or oven. But it involves lots of technicalities. Electrical attachments such as lighting or audio/visual cables can be added and concealed behind the fireplace. You need to consider these options.

Step 2: How do you want your fireplace to look like? You can consider building the outdoor fireplace to make it look similar to the stonework of your house. However, it is not compulsory. You can go for something entirely quirky or something which stands out as a center of attraction. You can go for a traditional appearance by using bricks. Stacked stone will offer a contemporary look. Stucco is also the right choice if you do not want a stone exterior.

Step 3: The next step is to determine the size of the hearth. The size of your outdoor fireplace should be following its surroundings. The fireplace should not be so big that it overshadows the house. At the same time, it should look like a dwarf next to your home. Therefore, take care of proportion while building the fireplace. Do not forget to leave plenty of space in front of it for gatherings. 

Step 4: What kind of fireplace do you want? Do you want the natural feel of a wood-burning fireplace or a simple gas fireplace?
To build a wood-burning fireplace, you need a building permit from the municipal government. You need to make the fireplace according to the specifications provided by the government. After building the fireplace, the government will check the constructed fireplace and permit you to use it. 

To install a gas fireplace, you need to hire a contractor. Gas fireplaces do not provide the natural feel of fire. But, they are much cleaner, produce little or no ash or smoke. All you need to do is hire a gas supplier or a licensed gas contractor to connect the fireplace to the gas line safely. Do not forget to check the local codes for gas piping specifications. Instead of regular steel or galvanized material, you may require black iron pipes.

This is the fun part where you get to select, decide, and design your fireplace. 

Step 1: The first step when it comes to selecting a design is to choose a fireplace kit. Fireplace kits are easy to assemble and are quite efficient. There are a variety of styles in all price ranges. It does not matter what your budget is. You can afford a fireplace kit of your choice. If you have a smaller budget, there are plenty of inexpensive kits available. If your budget is bigger, you can buy expensive ones.

Tip: It is recommended to construct an outdoor fireplace with the help of a kit. Most kits have complete instruction manuals, a variety of designs, and the best thing is that they can be built in a few days. They also come with detailed specifications.

Step 2: If you do not want to invest in a kit, you can consider building the whole thing on your own, especially if you have prior experience. You can find online DIY plans and make changes to suit your needs. You can use cinder blocks or other cheap, inexpensive, but strong material to form the skeleton of your fireplace. Then you have to cover the skeleton with veneer stone after the cinder block is laid. 

While choosing a design, keep the three most essential things in mind: 
Base: The ideal base for a fireplace is a concrete base. Your fireplace needs to have a thick and robust base. 
Firebox: You can either build your firebox or buy it. The firebox is where the fire burns. You can purchase a firebox of varying material depending on your choice, from stainless steel to bricks. 
Vent: A gas-lit fireplace needs vents to release the fumes of combustion. A wood-burning fireplace requires a chimney. It has a spark arrestor. 

Step 1: Begin with building the foundation. Dig a trench and shore up the foundation by using a plate compactor. Mix the cement and pour it for the foundation. Allow the cement to set. Leave it undisturbed for 24 hours or longer. 
You must check with the local authorities about how deep the foundation has to be. In some areas, it is only 6 inches deep. Whereas in other areas, it is as low as 1 foot. 

Note: Do not get confused between concrete and mortar. Although they may seem to be similar, they are not. Always use concrete to lay a foundation. Use mortar only for binding concrete or cinder blocks.
 
Step 2: Once the foundation is set, you can start laying concrete or cinder blocks and bind them with mortar. Stick to the plan, no matter what. Make sure that each row of blocks is level. You can use a level so that the concrete or cinder blocks are placed in a balanced manner. Spread mortar not only between each row but also between each of the individual cinder blocks. 

Step 3: The next important step is to lay out the fire brick inside the firebox. It is necessary to carefully mix mortar and create a good pattern while laying the fire bricks. 
First of all, you need to select an inlay pattern according to which you will set your fire brick. 

You can create a running bond pattern. From the center of the firebox, trace a line to the face. Place fire bricks on the left and the right side of the line. Leave approximately 1/4 inch of space in between the bricks and flush against the face of the firebox.

Then lay another brick precisely in the middle and above the two bricks. Again lay down two fire bricks above the middle brick in the same way as placed earlier. Fix the structure with a high-temperature mortar.  While laying down the bricks, do not hesitate to cut them to make them fit in the corners and edges. You won’t have to cut the central bricks.

Step 4: Using a jointer and a brush, remove the air bubbles (if any) from the fire brick mortar. With the help of a jointer, pack in the mortar in each seam. Use a clean brush to dust away from the excess mortar. Let your firebox dry for at least 24 hours.

Step 5: If you are building a wood-burning fireplace, then you have to make a chimney. The chimney must be constructed carefully, keeping true to the specifications if it has to work. A flue of specific dimensions and a smoke shelf to minimize down-draft is mandatory for a chimney. 
Measure the area of the fireplace by measuring the width and height of the fireplace opening.
In case the chimney is less than 15 ft tall, its cross-section must be 1/8 of the area of the fireplace opening. 
If the chimney is taller than 15 ft, its cross-section will be 1/10 the area of the opening of the fireplace. 

Step 6: The next requirement of a wood-burning fireplace is a spark arrestor which traps embers from the fireplace.

Step 7: Another important part of building an outdoor fireplace is to install the hearthstone. Hearthstone refers to the fireplace opening, which is the focal point of the fireplace. Remember that the hearthstone must be at least 3 meters away from other structures or even overhanging patio roofs. 

To install the hearthstone, first of all, choose a hearthstone made of fireproof material, which is at least 4 inches thick. Suppose if the fire opening is more than 6 square feet, the hearthstone should extend at least 20 inches on the front and 12 inches on either side. Size your hearthstone in this proportion. Make three 3/4 inch each strip of mortar and place them at a distance of 1 inch from each other. It is using a rubber mallet, set down the hearthstone, and make sure that it is level.

Step 8: Choose a stone style for the veneer. Stick the stones on the cinder blocks by applying mortar to the back of the stones. Using spacers, separate the stones and fill the gap in between the stones with mortar. 
After laying all the stones properly, allow them to sit for at least 24 hours to harden.

Step 9: If you have built a gas burning fireplace, you need to connect it to the gas line. You can hire a licensed gas contractor to do it. 
If you want to do it by yourself, then be careful. First of all, turn off the gas. Connect the threads of the mainline to the flexible lines by using a plumber’s putty. 
Make sure that the connection is tight with the help of a wrench. 
Tip: You can check the connection by applying dishwashing soap on it. If bubbles appear after turning on the gas, the connection needs to be refit. 

Step 10: Congrats! You have successfully finished your DIY project. Now, it’s time to invite your friends and family over to your house and show them your beautiful creation.