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An outdoor fireplace can add a whole new dimension to a home’s entertainment space, creating the ideal place to entertain guests almost any time of year. Enjoying a silent winter’s evening by the glow of an outdoor fireplace is, for some, the perfect way to embrace the outdoors all year round. Choosing the right material for this project means considering your budget, your home’s architecture and how much maintenance you’re willing to commit to over the years.

Choosing a Material: Stone, Brick and Other Options
Most outdoor fireplaces are constructed of either brick or natural stone as these are easy to find in both raw materials as well as a part of specialized kits. Most homeowners are also already somewhat familiar with these materials as they have been used for so long in homes throughout the country. Brick is commonly found in these types of projects and, for some homeowners, that’s reason enough to give it a pass. Although the look of brick is uniform, that doesn’t mean it’s entirely inflexible when it comes to style. More importantly, having a traditional outdoor fireplace is an ideal match for homes with crisp corners and a traditional feel. Brick is also more budget friendly than most, if not all, other options. Natural stone, on the other hand, does offer greater flexibility and a unique look, and it can come at a premium price.

Brickwork and natural stone are the most popular materials for an outdoor fireplace, but they aren’t the only options available. Stucco, concrete and other kinds of tiles can also be used to create an outdoor fireplace or they can be used as a façade over other materials. These options come with their own advantages and limitations. Tiles used as a façade over a concrete fireplace, for example, will need regular upkeep in addition to the routine fireplace maintenance.

These options, however, make it easier to customize the look of your fireplace to match with the color scheme or architectural feel of your home.

Homeowners should consider all of the options available. Making the choice based on a combination of your budget and the style you want can help to determine which offers the greatest value for money as well as long lasting appeal.

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