An outdoor fireplace can completely transform your garden. In addition to adding an aesthetic element to your outdoor space, it promotes socialization. However, installing an outdoor fireplace can be quite costly, which is why many people look for ways to make the process cheaper. One of the best ways to cut down the costs of an outdoor fireplace is to assemble it yourself.
Outdoor fireplace construction can be daunting, but it does not have to be. If you love the idea of having a fireplace in your garden and want to install it yourself, but you do not know where to start, we are here to help. This article serves as a guide to help you build a fireplace and completely transform your outdoor living space.
What are the structural components of an outdoor fireplace?
It is a common misconception that fireplaces are structurally unique and complicated. In reality, indoor and outdoor fireplaces are made up of three main structural components.
An outdoor fireplace’s three main structural components are:
- The base: Usually made of concrete, the base is the structural core of the fireplace, as everything relies on it for stability. There are a few different options for an outdoor fireplace base. You can build it on top of your outdoor flooring, or, if you have the correct material, you can build the base into your existing flooring, creating more of a flush aesthetic.
- The firebox: This is where the fire is generated. Fireboxes are made with a stainless steel material and usually laid with bricks for safety reasons. This is the heart of your fireplace.
- The chimney or vents: These are needed to allow the fire to breathe. Wood-burning fireplaces require taller chimneys, whereas gas-burning fireplaces only need small vents to allow the smoke to escape.
Each of these components plays a key part in the functioning of an outdoor fireplace and must be correctly fitted for the fireplace to work.
Is it hard to clean an outdoor fireplace?
How much does it cost to build an outdoor fireplace?
The cost of building an outdoor fireplace depends on how big and elaborate you want your fireplace to be. On average, the cost can range anywhere between $ 200 for a small fire pit to up to $ 20,000 for a large custom fireplace.
Of course, if you want to get a professional to build a custom fireplace, it is going to be significantly more expensive than if you were to construct it yourself. The average cost of having a custom fireplace built is $ 14,000. On the other hand, if you feel confident enough to build the outdoor fireplace yourself with a fireplace kit, it will rarely cost you more than $ 5,000.
Factors that affect outdoor fireplace costs
How to build an outdoor fireplace step-by-step
Building your own fireplace is a great way to cut down on costs. The complexity of such a task depends on the type of fireplace you want to build and the construction process you choose to follow. However, there are generic steps which apply to almost every single fireplace.
1. Level your base
The first and most important steps when building your own fireplace is to make sure the base is leveled. Having an uneven base can be a safety hazard. To ensure the first base tiles that you have laid on the ground are completely leveled, you just have to use a spirit level.
Simply put the initial tiles down in the place that you want your fireplace to be and put the spirit level on top. If the liquid within the spirit level sits flat, then your tiles are in the correct position. If the liquid is sitting at an angle, you will need to adjust the flooring to ensure that it is completely flat.
2. Build up the sides and the back of the fireplace
Once the base is securely fitted and you are sure that it is on a leveled surface, you can start building the fireplace from the bottom up. If you are building a stone fireplace, all the components to make the fireplace come in the form of stone blocks or slabs that fit into each other, making the construction process easier than custom fireplace designs.
The first three elements that you need to put in place to start building your fireplace are the first two side blocks and the first back block. The blocks are all labeled to make the construction process as easy as possible. We recommend placing the two side blocks with their backs in line with the back of the base as this will provide you with a more polished look. The back piece then slots in between the two side pieces.
3. Start building across
The two side blocks that you have already placed onto your base have deep grooves built into them, which are designed to allow other blocks to fit into them. The other blocks that fit into them are the ones that go across the fireplace. Simply place a 42-inch block across the back two grooves, ensuring that they slot in perfectly, and two smaller 12-inch blocks in the front two grooves. You will need to hit the blocks into the grooves to ensure that they are tightly and securely placed within the blocks below them.
How to prepare your outdoor fireplace for the summer
4. Repeat the process
Now that you have the base layer and that first level ready, it is now time to start repeating steps 2 and 3. You must keep building up levels with blocks fitting into grooves on the side and placing new blocks with grooves on each side. You need to complete this process additional times. However, when you place the final two lengthwise blocks, you should not place any additional smaller groove blocks on top.
Construct the chimney
The chimney piece is made up of concrete blocks that stack on top of each other at the back of the fireplace and get smaller and smaller as they rise up. As in the rest of the fireplace construction process, you will use smaller blocks with grooves in them to support the weight of each new block, and they will all need to perfectly slot into each other. You will have six long-to-small concrete blocks to place on top of each other until you have completed the process.
Outdoor fireplace assembly guide
Shop for outdoor fireplaces
The process of building your own outdoor fireplace is not as complicated as it seems. Feu Ardent provides an assembly guide for all its outdoor fireplaces. Our modular concepts make it possible to offer you different outdoor fireplace models which are easy to assemble.
We provide you with an outdoor fireplace kit that contains everything you need to build your own fireplace. Once you’ve finished the assembly, you’ll be delighted with the results. Our wood-burning outdoor fireplaces are top-of-the-range and come without the huge price tag.
We offer outdoor fireplaces that cater to different tastes and needs, so you are sure to find something you love. Whether you have a small or big garden, we have the fireplace for you. All of our outdoor fireplaces are sleek and simple, making them easy to put together and keeping the cost down so that you stay within your budget. We also sell fireplace accessories so that you can cook and enjoy your outdoor fireplace to the fullest.
