Should You Add an Outdoor Fireplace to Your Yard?

With many Utahans staying home during COVID, we have seen a number of people taking on some fun outdoor projects. One of which is building outdoor fireplaces. The addition of an outdoor fireplace is a great way to bring in some value and character to your home. If you are planning to build one this summer, here are some tips from our experts.

Don’t build it under the awning!

We want to make you aware of how many people have made this mistake, you’d be surprised! A lot of people will buy pre-built fireplaces and it causes problems with not only a smoke odor, it causes soot buildup on the awning, and people forget to clean them. The other issue we see is melting of the awning (based on the materials used to build the awning). Plan out a place on your patio where the fireplace can go without causing any unnecessary damage.

Check building codes

Before you can do any type of building, you will need to check with your local building codes. If you are building a large fireplace, you will need to make sure it meets certain requirements for safety concerns. As you plan code safety, plan for personal safety. Don’t have your new fireplace located by trees, tall grass, bushes, and shrubs. When it starts getting hot in July, vegetation starts drying out and it won’t be log for a small spark to cause a massive fire in the backyard.

Planning for weather

When you start creating the hard surface for the fireplace, you do need to make sure you have a strong foundation. Cold weather can cause your fireplace to crack. It is also important to consider what is happening in the winter months with the fireplace. Naturally, snow will fall on it and it needs to melt and drain away. Choose a dry space that does shed water well to make sure the snow and ice will not compromise your new fireplace.

Adding fuel to the fire

When you obtain your building codes, you will also find out what the municipal ordinances are pertaining to the type of fuel you can use. Wood burning is easy to obtain, but its not as convenient as a gas fireplace.

Fireplaces are a fun addition to the backyard and really give you a good reason to go outside and use your patio. For other backyard tips including quality patio furniture, contact KoolBreeze Inc. today!