One of the best parts of a backyard is enjoying a cozy fire on calm, cool nights. There are many options for you to build an outdoor fireplace that complements your home and your landscaping style. Consider these six best materials to incorporate into an outdoor fireplace in Rochester Hills, MI.
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Natural Stone
Possibly the most common material for outdoor fireplaces, natural stone offers countless possibilities for the color, size, style, and shape of your outdoor fireplace. It will give your fireplace a textured and natural feel, balanced with a sophisticated and upscale look. A fireplace is a statement piece that pulls together the different aspects of your outdoor space, therefore the stone you choose for your fireplace should match or complement any stone that is on your house or incorporated into the other areas of your landscape. Mix and match large and small stones for a more naturally varied appeal, and experiment with unique designs for the overall shape of the fireplace.
Bricks
Use brick for your outdoor fireplace if you are looking to create a more traditional or historic setting, and especially as an extension of a home that incorporates brick into the exterior. It may take some extra time and effort to find a size and style that matches a more weathered existing brick exterior. The appearance of natural brick, while usually some shade of red, varies depending on the area where you live, as the mineral compounds of the clay that it’s made from is slightly different in different parts of the country. For the most fitting and natural appearance, try to find bricks that reflect the region where you live. Brick fireplaces are also most commonly wood-burning, and are typically built in a more linear style than the varied options of stone fireplaces.
Concrete
Concrete fireplaces are built to imbue a sense of modernism into your natural outdoor space. Unlike the rugged appeal of stone, or the weathered elegance of bricks, they are typically built in a more rectangular, linear style. While concrete is a safe substance to use, as it will not catch on fire, it is wise to be mindful of how it may crack during the freeze-thaw cycle. For this reason, it is best used in mind climates where the seasonal temperature changes are not very drastic. Concrete can also be used as the base or core material, which is then covered with a stone veneer.
Stucco
A stucco fireplace is the perfect fit for landscapes inspired by a southwestern, Spanish, or Mediterrenian atmosphere. Stucco is a material that does not burn, but is a good heat conductor, therefore it will help to create a warm and cozy environment for you to enjoy your backyard nightlife. Stucco can be colored in almost any hue you could want, making it easy to match to your existing exteriors, or allowing it to be a vibrant stand-out piece in your yard.
Clay
Sometimes, a smaller fire structure situated just off the edge of your patio is the perfect fit for your yard’s look and feel. Clay chimineas are elegant structures that bring a sense of old-world charm to your backyard. They come in a variety of sizes, offer colors ranging from almost white to tan, red or deep grey, and can be simply designed or intricately decorated. Being made from clay, they are extremely durable and can withstand large amounts of heat so that even this smaller structure can bring you warmth and enjoyment from early spring into the late fall.
Modern Metal
In addition to small clay structures, metal is a common material for fire pits, fire bowls, chimineas or tabletop fireplaces. Fire bowls and tabletop fireplaces are typically used with propane, whereas fire pits and chimineas are more typically used with wood. Be mindful of choosing a structure with strong, durable metal that will be able to withstand strong heat and the outdoor elements.
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