An outdoor fireplace turns a plain patio into the spot everyone gravitates toward once the sun drops. It extends your living space into the open air, adds a warm focal point for gatherings, and gives a backyard the same sense of “room” that a hearth brings indoors. If you’re weighing one for your home, the choices come down to fuel, style, and how you’ll actually use the space.
We’ve helped a lot of homeowners design these, and the same questions come up every time: gas or wood, freestanding or built-in, and how to make it the centerpiece of the yard. This guide walks through all of it so you can choose with confidence.
Choosing the Right Type of Outdoor Fireplace
Before anything else, picture how you want to use the fire. That single decision shapes the fuel, the size, and the placement.
The main outdoor fireplace styles break down like this:
• Built-in masonry fireplace — a permanent, custom feature in stone or brick that becomes a true architectural anchor for the patio.
• Pre-engineered fireplace — a manufactured unit with a predictable footprint and a faster, more straightforward setup than full custom masonry.
• Freestanding fireplace — a self-contained unit that stands on its own and can be placed with more flexibility.
• Outdoor fireplace insert — a firebox built specifically for outdoor conditions, designed to sit within a surround.
If you want a dramatic, one-of-a-kind statement, custom masonry delivers. If a defined scope and a cleaner path matter more, a pre-engineered unit lands you there with less complexity. Browse the range in our outdoor fireplaces collection.
Gas vs. Wood vs. Electric: Which Fuel Wins?
There’s no universally “best” option — only the best fit for how you’ll actually use the space.
|
Fuel |
Experience |
Best For |
|
Gas (natural gas or propane) |
Instant on/off, no mess |
Frequent, low-effort use |
|
Wood-burning |
Real crackle and aroma |
Purists who enjoy the ritual |
|
Electric |
Plug-in glow, simplest setup |
Covered patios and porches |
Gas (Natural Gas or Propane)
This is what we install most often. Flip a switch, get instant flame, walk away when you’re done — no hauling logs, no ash. A gas setup suits anyone who wants warmth and ambiance without a chore. If you don’t have a natural gas line, propane delivers the same convenience from a tank.
Wood-Burning
Nothing replicates the snap and smell of real wood. The trade-off is effort — sourcing and storing logs, tending the fire, and clearing ash afterward. It’s worth it for purists who treat fire-building as part of the experience. Our outdoor wood-burning fireplaces are built for true outdoor exposure, not repurposed indoor units.
Electric
The simplest option, and the right call for fully covered porches where an open flame isn’t practical. You get glowing ambiance and supplemental warmth from a standard outlet, though it won’t throw the heat a real flame does on a cold night.
Does an Outdoor Fireplace Add Value to Your Home?
The payoff is part financial, part emotional. Homeowners gave outdoor fire features a Joy Score of 9.7 out of 10 in the National Association of REALTORS® Remodeling Impact Report, among the highest scores in the entire study — a reflection of how much people love these spaces once they’re built.
Beyond resale, there’s the daily payoff. An outdoor fireplace stretches your usable season, gives you a reason to spend evenings outside, and becomes the natural gathering point whenever you entertain. Paired with a patio, it transforms how the whole yard functions.
What About an Outdoor Fireplace Insert?
Here’s a common mix-up worth clearing up. An exterior fireplace insert or outdoor fireplace gas insert is a sealed firebox engineered specifically for outdoor conditions — UV-stable finishes, drainage, and corrosion-resistant components built to handle weather.
Don’t install an indoor insert outside. Indoor units aren’t rated for moisture, temperature swings, or wind, and using one outdoors voids the warranty and creates a real hazard. If you’re replacing a tired outdoor unit, choose a purpose-built outdoor gas fireplace insert rather than retrofitting an indoor model.
Short on space? An outdoor gas fire table delivers flame and gathering appeal with a far smaller footprint — browse our fire tables and fire pits if a full fireplace is more than your patio needs.
Safety Basics for Outdoor Fireplaces
Outdoor doesn’t mean worry-free. A few fundamentals keep your fire feature safe to enjoy.
• Keep clearances around the fire. Position the fireplace well away from siding, fences, pergolas, low branches, and overhanging eaves so nothing combustible sits too close to the heat.
• Build on a noncombustible base. Hearths and the area directly around the firebox should be noncombustible materials like concrete or masonry.
• Mind carbon monoxide in enclosed areas. Even outdoors, never operate a fireplace in an enclosed or poorly ventilated space. The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association recommends a carbon monoxide alarm wherever gas hearth products are used near enclosed living areas, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission advises testing alarms regularly.
• Let professionals handle the setup. Connecting a gas line and confirming safe, proper venting is work for factory-trained technicians, who get it right the first time and protect your warranty. Our installation and service team handles every step.
How to Choose: A Quick Checklist
Run through these before you buy:
1. Use pattern — frequent and low-effort points to gas; occasional and atmospheric leans wood.
2. Fuel access — natural gas line on the property, or room for a propane tank?
3. Space — full fireplace, compact insert, or a fire table?
4. Covered vs. open — covered patios narrow your options and may point toward electric.
5. Style — pre-engineered for a defined scope, or custom masonry for a statement piece.
6. Placement — where will the fire anchor the space and keep traffic flowing comfortably?
Designing Around Your Outdoor Fireplace
The fireplace should feel like a built-in part of the yard, not an afterthought. A few ideas that consistently work:
• Anchor a seating area. Arrange lounge furniture to face the fire so it becomes the natural center of conversation.
• Carry materials through. Echo the fireplace’s stone or finish in nearby planters, walls, or the patio surface to tie the space together.
• Layer in lighting. Soft surrounding lighting keeps the area inviting and usable once the fire dies down.
• Plan for storage. For wood-burning units, built-in log storage keeps fuel handy and looks intentional.
Still weighing options? The fastest way to decide is to see a few units in person and picture them in your space. Our team can walk you through styles and help match a fireplace to your patio — start with our outdoor fireplaces collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of outdoor fireplace is best? It depends on how you’ll use it. Custom masonry makes a dramatic permanent statement, pre-engineered units offer a more defined and straightforward path, freestanding units add placement flexibility, and inserts suit a built surround. Match the type to your style and how often you’ll use it.
Can I use an indoor fireplace insert outdoors? No. Indoor inserts aren’t rated for moisture, wind, or temperature swings. Always choose an exterior fireplace insert built specifically for outdoor use to stay safe and keep your warranty valid.
Is gas or wood better for an outdoor fireplace? Gas offers convenient, instant, low-maintenance fire, ideal for frequent use. Wood delivers authentic crackle and aroma but requires sourcing logs and clearing ash. Choose based on whether convenience or the wood-fire ritual matters more to you.
Are outdoor fireplaces worth it? For most homeowners, yes. Outdoor fire features earned a 9.7 out of 10 Joy Score from homeowners in the NAR Remodeling Impact Report, extend your usable outdoor season, and become a natural gathering point for entertaining.
Who should install an outdoor gas fireplace? Factory-trained technicians should handle the installation. Connecting a gas line and confirming safe, proper venting must be done correctly for safety and to keep your manufacturer’s warranty valid.