- 1). Identify the features most important to you to guide your choice of a general shape. The need for warmth suggests a raised, campfire-style fire pit around which several people can sit. Incorporate a cooking grate and rotisserie if you'll use the fireplace for grilling. A wide rim around the outside doubles as a place to rest drinks and food. Consider an outdoor fireplace that resembles a traditional indoor one if you'll mostly use it for ambiance and decoration. A hearth adds seating.
- 2). Decide between a wood-burning fireplace and one that burns gas. Wood gives more heat and has natural-fire ambiance, but one styled like an indoor fireplace requires a chimney. In addition, some municipalities ban wood fires because they're polluting or withhold building permits because of safety issues. Gas is safer than wood and it gives off no smoke. It also radiates less heat, however, and has a flame quality that some find less enjoyable than the flame from a wood fire.
- 3). Choose a location. Pick an area and orientation where the fireplace will preserve nice views and allow you to see children's play areas. Consider making the fireplace a focal point if it'll be part of an outdoor living room or kitchen. Other ideas are to use it as a wind barrier or to offer privacy to the people who'll enjoy it.
- 4). Draw a scale plan of your yard to use as a guide for the size of your fireplace. Include all your yard's features, including gardens, sheds, trees, pool, decks and patios.
- 5). Scale your stone fireplace to compliment the size of your yard and structures in your yard. Shape the fireplace to match architectural elements of your home, like roof angles, arches and other interesting features. Use materials and colors that match your home, too.
- 6). Shop for professionally designed building plans if you have your heart set on building your own masonry fireplace. A properly designed firebox and chimney are required to prevent excessive smoke.
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