If you have decided that you not only want but actually need an outdoor fireplace in your yard or patio, the next thing you will have to think about is its design. The Internet as well as architectural and design magazines present hundreds, if not thousands, of examples of outdoor fireplace designs that can give you great ideas for your own.
When considering design, you start with whether you want a log- or gas-fuelled fireplace. The construction of a log-burning kind varies greatly from that which burns propane or natural gas. The former generates plenty of smoke and so may require a chimney which should be taller than adjacent structures. Also, even the slightest wind can cause a downdraft inside your chimney, thus forcing smoke out of the hearth. This requires a smoke shelf, proper flue sizing, and the appropriate chimney height.
As there is always the possibility of embers and sparks floating up into the air and landing on your structures, or you neighbors’, your design should include a spark arrestor. This could be in the form of a crosspipe or a wire mesh.
Locating your fireplace should also be given much thought. It should not block the view from your house, but at the same time it should not be in an obscure corner either. Consider privacy, focal points, and prevailing winds. Its location should be such that it does not ruin your garden or your view. Instead, it should blend well with its surroundings.
