The garden fireplace is a real eye-catcher on the terrace and in the garden. In addition, it not only has a decorative effect and makes the outdoor area appear more comfortable. You can also spend lovely family evenings on cooler evenings by the fireplace and enjoy the flickering fire. It is also suitable for grilling. However, if you would like to build a high-quality garden fireplace yourself, there are a few things to consider that we would like to tell you today. Use our tips to create the perfect garden barbecue fireplace and enjoy the time in your garden.
What is a garden fireplace?
The fireplace is a solid element that, unlike the garden stove, is not portable and cannot be moved and is built in brick. This makes the fireplace more weatherproof so that it can easily be left outdoors even in the cold seasons. You can build such a garden fireplace yourself, but ready-made models are now also available.
Build it yourself or buy it ready-made? Advantages and disadvantages
However, a finished model has the disadvantage that you cannot customize the fireplace. The cheaper versions in particular are not particularly attractive in terms of their appearance. Of course, a homemade garden fireplace seems much more appealing. You can choose your own design and materials to create the look and style you want.
Another advantage that the fireplace has over a stove is that it can be equipped with additional shelves and compartments to guarantee storage space for firewood or to temporarily put dishes away. So if you want to build a garden fireplace yourself, you should consider such factors and weigh up how they could benefit you.
You can also build a fireplace with ready-made kits from the hardware store. The selection of designs and models is significantly larger here, but the price also increases. So if you have a limited budget but still want to design the patio fireplace entirely according to your wishes, you should get to work yourself.
A big advantage that the garden fireplace has is that it has a chimney through which the annoying smoke is always directed upwards. You are probably familiar with the problem with ordinary grills and open fireplaces when the wind blows the smoke towards guests. This cannot happen when you design a fireplace.
Determine the correct size
Plan the right size for your fireplace. This depends primarily on the space you have available in the garden, on the terrace or another seating area that you would like to equip with a fireplace. Nevertheless, you should not choose a size that is too small if you want to build the garden fireplace yourself. Ultimately, you may want to use it for grilling, so the grill surface should meet your needs.
Fireplace open on both sides or with a back wall?
You also have the option of building a fireplace that doesn't just have one open side. This variant is certainly very attractive, especially since the fire can be enjoyed from two sides. This is a nice idea for a room divider outside if, for example, the dining and seating areas should be visually separated. However, there are also some disadvantages if you build this type of garden fireplace yourself.
If you install a back wall instead, you guarantee that fewer embers can fall out of the fireplace when grilling or heating, because the fireplace is more protected from the wind. Sudden gusts of wind also make it more difficult to blow cooled ash around. Significantly more heat is lost with a double-sided fireplace. Consider these things when designing a fireplace.
Is a permit necessary?
Some communities require a permit before building a fireplace. You can find out whether this is the case in your case by contacting the building authority. This is an important step in planning before you build the garden fireplace yourself. Otherwise, you may be fined and you may even have to demolish the fireplace without permission.
The right location
In order for the patio or garden fireplace to be stable, a safe surface must first be found. The floor must not be wobbly or combustible. A wooden floor is therefore unsuitable. If necessary, build a new foundation to ensure a solid base before designing the fireplace. Also take into account the area around the fireplace. Eventually, sparks fly from nearby flammable objectscould set fire.
Other buildings or even large structures should not be located above the chimney. Despite the quite long path through the chimney, the air is still very hot. Branches can dry out and your tree will be ruined. Buildings become discolored due to the black smoke. So as you can see, you need to allow for enough space if you want to design a fireplace.
Which direction to face?
In addition to the surface, the direction should also be taken into account when designing the fireplace. If the wind blows particularly frequently from a certain direction, you can adjust accordingly. After all, you don't want the smoke or the smell of food to get into the house through the open window and the neighbors shouldn't feel disturbed by smoke either. In addition, frequent wind can also disrupt the grilling itself, and sparks and ash can blow around if the fireplace is placed in an inconvenient position.
The height of the chimney
To ensure that the fireplace is not only pretty to look at, but also comfortable to use, you need to choose the right height. So think about what height the fireplace opening suits you best. This is especially important if you want to use the fireplace for grilling. If you just want to build a garden fireplace yourself for heating, you can also choose a lower height.
The material
Not only concrete is suitable for building a garden or terrace fireplace. If you want to give the fireplace a particularly authentic look, it is best to choose materials for walling, such as brick, clinker or real stone. If you build a garden fireplace yourself out of stone, it will have a special charm. Brickwork is then done with special mortar that can withstand the heat.
If you want to build a garden fireplace yourself, you will also need some support rods that serve as a basis for straight surfaces and are best made of iron. You can also find out more about the choice of materials at the hardware store. In general, you can get a lot of tips there that can ultimately be very helpful to you. If you are building a grill yourself, don't forget to add recesses when building the side walls, into which any grill grates can be pushed.
Suitable materials for the roof of the chimney are copper, stainless steel and concrete. That's purely a matter of taste. It is important that the size corresponds to that of the fireplace and that it can be set up correctly. Of course, you can also design the roof for the chimney and simply brick it up like the rest of the chimney.
Open fireplace or fireplace insert?
You can also design the garden fireplace open or in a decorative form with a fireplace insert that is equipped with a lockable glass door. Which option is better depends on what you want to use the fireplace for and also on the budget you have. If the fireplace is lockable, you can also consider a multi-sided design such as the tunnel or panoramic fireplace.
Instructions for constructionhere.
