An outdoor fireplace is a great addition to any backyard as a welcoming focal point for your home. An outdoor fireplace is one of the latest popular trends for home renovations that combine comfort and warmth outside for many months. With an outdoor fireplace, you can enjoy the beauty of winter in your backyard nestled by the heat of your outdoor fireplace as a year-round destination. Of course, adding an overhead heater never hurts, along with the cozy blankets and a hot toddy. For many homeowners, an outdoor fireplace is a “must-have” addition to any outside living combination.
An outdoor fireplace can enhance the entire backyard’s look, making your patio more private and cozy while adding interest to your home and backyard scenery. An outdoor fireplace can combine the best form and function as another area of your home, encouraging you to spend more time outdoors while the flames crackle and your fire lights up the night. It can turn the area into a perfect location for nighttime entertainment where you gather around the outdoor hearth with friends and family.
Outdoor fireplaces are worth investing in because they can add value to your home if you ever decide to sell it. It can be a boon at sale time because not only are they attractive features that add character to your home and property, they can make your home stand apart from the others. They exude an ambiance that makes this investment worthwhile. According to the 2012 Marshall & Swift Residential handbook, outdoor gas fireplaces can add anywhere from $3,500 on average to $10,000 in home value depending on the size and scope of the renovation.
Optimal Outdoor Fireplace Location
Your first consideration in planning to build an outdoor fireplace is to determine the location. Consider locating it adjacent to your outside living area, such as a deck or patio, or by the hot tub. Another alternative is to set it further back in the yard as a separate seating area. Another factor that can influence your decision on the location is the size of your outdoor space.
Additionally, you will have to decide whether your fireplace is going to be wood burning, propane or natural gas. If you decide on wood burning or propane, you can more or less locate it anywhere on the property; however, if the fireplace is going to be fueled by natural gas, your choice is more limiting. Since the natural gas line is unusually fed directly from your home, the location for the fireplace will be determined by its proximity to the gas line. Gas fireplaces tend to cost more than wood-burning ones, and the farther from the house that the gas line must run, the more costly the installation will be for the fireplace.
The design of your outdoor hearth is another consideration, but adding an outdoor fireplace is an easier process because you don’t have to tear down existing walls in your house. With the help of a professional landscape company, you can turn empty and unused space into a beautiful outdoor focal point. A popular choice by many homeowners is the built-in style, which attaches the fireplace to an outside wall of the home. Another common choice is the freestanding style that can be located anywhere on the property. The sky is the limit regarding styles from modern to rustic, and a professional designer can help you choose the style that fits the look of your home.
Outdoor Fireplace Conclusions
For many snow enthusiasts, nothing can stop them from enjoying some outdoor fun in the winter and having an outdoor fireplace is just another dimension for their joy of the season. Whether it’s toasting marshmallows over the flames, cooking hot dogs on a stick or rejoicing the holiday season with a glass of wine or hot beverage with family and friends, an outdoor fireplace is a perfect place to celebrate.
With an outdoor fireplace, there is no reason to retreat to the indoors for the duration of the winter months and forfeit the pleasures of using your deck or patio. So, get out the blankets, light up the fire, bring on the hot chocolate and enjoy the beauty of a winter wonderland sitting by the warmth of the fire while listening to the crackling sounds of the dancing flames.
