How to Choose the Right Outdoor Fireplace

How to Choose the Right Outdoor Fireplace

Just like a living room becomes warmer (both figuratively and literally) with the addition of a fireplace, the same can be said for your outdoor living space. Adding a fireplace keeps you warm on colder nights, and it’s a great place to gather when you have guests. No matter the type of fireplace, it adds a cozy vibe to your landscape, but there are some pros and cons to consider for the two most popular types: gas and wood.

Should You Get a Gas Fireplace?

Pros for Gas

• Their cleaning needs are more low maintenance. While a wood fireplace will produce a lot of ash and soot, a gas fireplace is clean-burning. They do still require cleaning, but it’s not as intensive.
• They don’t release smoke, which also means you don’t have to worry about it blowing back on you and your guests.
• They can be started with the push of a button. Gas fireplaces are hooked up to a gas line or tank, which allows the flames to start automatically.

Cons for Gas

• They need a gas line or tank hook up. Plus, even if it’s outside, you will still need to get the line checked out yearly in case there’s a leak.
• They lack the ambiance of a wood fireplace. Gas fireplaces do not have the smell or crackling sounds of a wood fireplace. For some, that’s a true deciding factor to make their outdoor living a cozy space.
• They don’t get as hot as a wood fireplace, which could be difficult if you like to roast or cook over a fire.

Should You Get a Wood Fireplace?

Pros for Wood

• They typically burn hotter than a gas flame, which makes them ideal for warming up the space on a colder night. Plus, you can cook over the flames a little easier.
• The ambiance is hard to beat. Wood fireplaces have a smell and sound that are hard to replicate on other types of fire features.
• If there’s a blackout, you can still enjoy gathering around a wood fire.

Cons for Wood

• They require more work to start up. Once it’s burning, you’ll also need to keep adding logs.
• They require a large stock of wood if you plan to use it often. This can get expensive, especially since you need specially treated wood for everyone’s safety.
• They need routine cleaning. The ash will need to be cleared out once in a while, and a yearly deep cleaning is necessary for creosote build-up.

Outdoor Innovations has been in business since 2007 and excels at large-scale projects like pool construction, outdoor living areas, paver patios, and more. Contact us to learn more.