Original research
Outdoor fireplace ideas: 100 designs, sorted by fuel and footprint
Choose the fuel first. Wood or gas decides the chimney, the permit, the neighbors and the trade.
Find a Landscaping Company What it costs
Written by HyreYard Research Desk Research and fact checking
The short answer
Pick the fuel before the style: a wood-burning outdoor fireplace needs a tall flue, room for smoke to clear and a check of local burn rules, while a gas fireplace needs a gas line run and tested by a licensed installer. After fuel, footprint decides the rest.
A masonry fireplace weighs enough to need its own footing; a steel or prefab unit can sit on a sound patio; a chiminea or tabletop burner needs neither.
The 100 ideas below are grouped by that choice. Each entry says what the design is, which yard it suits, what it stands on, who builds and connects it, and the line to write into the scope.
EPA guidance on recreational fires notes they can be a meaningful source of fine-particle pollution, which is why many towns restrict wood burning on poor-air days. Check yours before choosing wood.
Footings and gas lines are the parts that cannot be changed cheaply later, so settle them first.
Outdoor fireplace types compared
| Design | Best for | Upkeep | Relative cost (HyreYard judgment) | Trade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiminea | Small patios, renters | Ash removal | Lowest | None |
| Tabletop gas burner | Balconies, tight spaces | Tank swaps | Lowest | None (portable tank) |
| Prefab steel fireplace | Modern yards | Rust care | Lower to moderate | Installer; gas fitter if gas |
| Masonry kit fireplace | Mid-size patios | Flue and ash care | Moderate | Mason or hardscaper |
| Site-built stone or brick hearth | Large patios, traditional homes | Flue inspection, repointing | Higher | Mason |
| Linear gas fireplace in a wall | Contemporary designs | Burner service | Higher | Mason, gas fitter, electrician |
| Fireplace under a covered patio | All-season use | Flue and roof checks | Higher | Mason, carpenter, gas fitter |
Relative cost is a HyreYard judgment, not a quote. For money, see the cost guides. The table shows a representative sample of the 100 ideas below.
Portable and small-footprint fire
1. Clay or cast-iron chiminea
A chiminea is a freestanding bowl with a short chimney that lifts smoke above seated heads. Ranking guides suggest a chiminea for exposed or windy spots because the semi-enclosed design shelters the flame. A chiminea suits renters and small patios. Clay cracks if it gets wet then heated fast, so cover it.
In the scope: no build; set it on a non-combustible surface away from overhangs and fences.
2. Tabletop or bowl gas burner on a tank
A tabletop burner runs on a small propane cylinder or a hidden tank. The burner suits balconies and tight patios where a flue is impossible. Some buildings and HOAs ban open flame on balconies; read the rules first.
In the scope: none; follow the maker’s instructions for tank connection and clearance.
3. Freestanding steel or Corten fireplace
A prefab steel fireplace is a factory firebox and flue, often in weathering steel, set on a patio. One ranking gallery shows a custom Corten piece anchoring a Toronto yard. Steel suits modern landscapes. Weathering steel sheds rust runoff that stains pale pavers.
An installer sets it on a level pad; if gas-fired, a licensed gas fitter connects it. In the scope: model, pad or footing, clearance to combustibles per the listing, and runoff plan.
Wood-burning masonry fireplaces
4. Masonry kit fireplace
A masonry kit is pre-cut block and a refractory firebox assembled on site. Kits suit mid-size patios and owners who want masonry without a fully custom design. Kits are heavy and need a footing, not just pavers.
A mason or hardscaper assembles it on a concrete footing and veneers it. In the scope: kit name, footing dimensions, veneer, cap, and spark arrestor.
5. Site-built stone hearth with a tall chimney
A site-built stone fireplace is fully custom masonry with a firebox lined in fire-rated brick. Stone and brick suit colonial and farmhouse homes, a pairing ranking galleries note. A taller chimney draws better and carries smoke higher.
A mason builds it; a permit is often required. In the scope: footing, firebox lining, flue size and height, hearth extension, and cap.
6. Fireplace with firewood cubbies
Firewood cubbies are recesses in the fireplace wing walls that store split wood dry and close. Cubbies suit wood burners who want logs to hand. Dry wood burns cleaner; EPA guidance says seasoned, dry wood burns hotter and with less smoke.
The mason builds them into the masonry. In the scope: cubby size and drainage at the base.
7. Fireplace with a built-in pizza oven
A combination unit puts an oven chamber beside or above the firebox. The combination suits cooks who would otherwise build two masonry pieces. One flue may serve both; ask how.
A mason builds it. In the scope: oven lining, shared or separate flue, and footing sized for both.
Gas fireplaces
8. Linear gas fireplace in a feature wall
A linear gas fireplace is a long, low burner set into a stucco, tile or stone wall. Linear units suit contemporary yards and owners who want flame with no wood or ash. They are switched on and off rather than lit and tended.
A mason builds the wall; a licensed gas fitter runs, connects and pressure-tests the line; an electrician handles electronic ignition. In the scope: burner model and its outdoor listing, gas line size, shutoff location, ignition type, and permit.
9. Gas logs in a traditional masonry box
Gas logs are ceramic logs over a burner set in a conventional firebox. Gas logs suit owners who want the traditional look without hauling wood or managing smoke. Use logs listed for outdoor use.
The mason builds the box; the gas fitter installs the burner. In the scope: log set and burner listing, damper or vent requirements per the maker, and gas line.
10. Converting wood to gas later
Planning a later conversion means sleeving a gas line to the firebox during the masonry build. The sleeve suits owners unsure which fuel they will prefer. Adding a line afterward means cutting through finished hardscape.
In the scope: an empty conduit or capped line placed by a licensed gas fitter, and its location on the plan.
Placement and setting
11. Fireplace under a covered patio
A covered fireplace sits under a roof or pergola so the space works in rain. Cover suits all-season use. The chimney must clear the roof and the roof framing must keep its distance from the flue; get those specs from the fireplace listing or the mason.
A mason, carpenter and, for gas, a gas fitter are involved; a permit is likely. See pergola. In the scope: flue height above roof and clearance to framing.
12. Fireplace as the end of a garden axis
Placing the fireplace at the far end of a path or lawn makes it the focal point seen from the house. The axis suits deep, narrow yards. Distance from the house also keeps smoke away from windows.
A landscape designer sets the layout; see landscape design. In the scope: distance from house, prevailing wind, and lighting to the path.
Safety, smoke and licensing
HyreYard gives no instructions for connecting gas. Gas piping and appliances fall under the fuel gas code your town adopts (NFPA 54), and states license installers. For wood, EPA Burn Wise guidance says to burn only dry, seasoned wood, never burn trash or yard waste, and skip fires on air-quality alert days. Wildfire-prone areas may restrict fire features outright; see our defensible space rules. Call 811 before footing excavation.
What the fireplace quote should list
Wood or gas, and for any prefab or gas unit the model and its outdoor listing, so clearances come from the maker rather than a guess.
Dimensions and depth of the concrete footing for masonry, or confirmation that a light unit can sit on the existing patio.
Firebox lining material, flue size and height, cap and spark arrestor.
Distance to the house, fences, trees and any roof or pergola, with the source of each figure.
Who runs the gas line and who wires ignition or lighting, with license numbers. These are not hardscape crew tasks.
Which permits are needed and who pulls them. See choosing a landscaping company for checking a contractor.
Non-combustible hearth extension in front of the opening, and the patio area for seating at a comfortable distance.
Masonry fireplace styles
13. Fieldstone fireplace
Rounded fieldstone laid in irregular courses gives a rustic, cabin-style fireplace that suits wooded lots, mountain homes and yards with natural stone already in walls or outcrops. Build note: A mason veneers the stone over a block core on a concrete footing, and the firebox is lined with fire-rated brick behind the stone face.
14. Ledgestone stacked fireplace
Thin stacked ledgestone gives strong horizontal shadow lines, suiting modern rustic homes and fireplaces lit by grazing lights that pick out the texture at night. Build note: The veneer goes over a block core with metal lath and mortar per the stone maker, and dry-stack styles need adhesive mortar rated for exterior use.
15. Limestone fireplace
Smooth cut limestone gives a refined, pale fireplace that suits formal and French-inspired gardens with clipped hedges and gravel. Build note: Limestone is porous and stains, so seal it and design the cap and chimney so soot and rain runoff do not streak the face.
16. Brick fireplace with arched opening
A brick fireplace with an arched opening suits traditional and colonial homes and frames the fire as the patio’s focal point. Build note: Arches need a temporary form and a mason experienced with arch work, and the firebox behind the arch is lined with fire-rated brick on a footing.
17. Whitewashed brick fireplace
Whitewashed or limewashed brick softens a masonry fireplace to a pale, aged look that suits farmhouse and cottage yards. Build note: Use a breathable limewash made for masonry rather than paint, which can trap moisture and peel in freeze-thaw climates.
18. Stucco fireplace
A stucco-finished fireplace with a rounded chimney suits Spanish, Mission and Mediterranean homes and can be tinted to match the house walls. Build note: Stucco goes over a block core with weep screed at the base, and the area around the opening needs heat-rated materials.
19. Board-formed concrete fireplace
Concrete cast in rough wood forms shows board grain on its face, giving a sculptural fireplace that suits modern and mid-century homes. Build note: Engineered formwork and reinforcement are needed, so a concrete contractor experienced with architectural pours builds it on a footing.
20. Smooth concrete fireplace
A smooth plaster or troweled concrete fireplace with a simple rectangular opening suits minimalist designs and modern stucco homes. Build note: Plan control joints to hide cracking, and line the firebox with refractory material rather than relying on the finish surface.
21. Tile-clad fireplace
Frost-rated tile cladding adds color, pattern or a glossy finish to a masonry fireplace, suiting Mediterranean and eclectic gardens. Build note: Tile near the opening must tolerate heat, and the backer must be cement board or masonry with exterior-rated thinset.
22. Stone with timber mantel
A stone fireplace topped with a heavy timber mantel suits mountain and lodge styles and gives a shelf for lanterns. Build note: Keep the timber beyond the clearance from the opening that the mason or firebox listing specifies, and seal it against weather.
23. Stone with stone mantel
A single stone slab used as the mantel avoids combustible trim near the fire, suiting fireplaces with shallow overhangs or wood-burning use. Build note: The slab is heavy, so it needs corbels or embedment into the masonry, set by the mason during the build.
24. Double-sided fireplace
A see-through fireplace open on two sides warms two seating areas or a patio and a garden room at once, suiting large spaces. Build note: Two openings change how the fireplace draws smoke, so an experienced mason designs the flue size and height for the pair.
25. Corner fireplace
A fireplace set in the corner of a patio saves floor space and faces seating on a diagonal, suiting square patios and small yards. Build note: The footing sits at the corner, and the chimney placement must clear any adjacent walls, fences or roof edges.
26. Fireplace with raised hearth
A raised hearth lifts the fire toward eye level and doubles as extra seating, suiting fireplaces where guests gather standing or perched. Build note: The hearth extends in front of the opening in non-combustible material, and its cap should be sloped slightly to shed rain.
27. Fireplace with flush hearth
A flush hearth level with the patio keeps clean lines for modern designs and avoids a trip step. Build note: The non-combustible extension still runs in front of the opening at grade, in a contrasting material so people see where it begins.
28. Fireplace with wing walls
Wing walls extending from both sides of the chimney frame a seating area and give wind protection, suiting exposed patios. Build note: The wing walls need their own footings tied to the fireplace footing, so the whole structure settles together.
29. Fireplace with built-in benches
Masonry benches built into the fireplace wings create permanent seating facing the fire, suiting compact patios. Build note: Benches share the fireplace footing and need a smooth, sloped cap, plus enough distance from the opening to stay comfortable.
30. Tall chimney with stone cap
A tall chimney finished with a stone cap reads as a focal point from across the yard and carries smoke above seated heads. Build note: Height affects how well the fireplace draws, so the mason sets flue size and height together; the cap needs a drip edge.
31. Short-profile fireplace
A low-profile fireplace keeps views open over the top, suiting yards with a lake, valley or garden view behind. Build note: Short flues tend to smoke, so a gas burner is often the better fuel for a low fireplace; have a licensed fitter connect it.
32. Fireplace with a hood instead of chimney
A steel hood suspended or built over an open hearth replaces a masonry chimney, suiting contemporary designs and sculptural fire features. Build note: A fabricator designs the hood, and clearances to any overhead structure follow the hood and burner listing.
Prefab and modular fireplaces
33. Precast concrete fireplace kit
A precast concrete kit assembles from interlocking pieces in a fraction of the time of a site-built fireplace, suiting mid-size patios. Build note: The kit still needs a footing sized for its weight, and the veneer is added afterward by a mason or hardscaper.
34. Steel firebox with stone veneer
A factory-built steel firebox finished with stone veneer combines a tested firebox design with a masonry look, suiting owners who want listed clearances. Build note: Follow the firebox listing for clearances, framing and chimney, and have a mason apply veneer over a non-combustible frame.
35. Modular block fireplace
Modular block fireplace kits use the same block as segmental retaining walls, giving a matched look in yards with block walls. Build note: The kit instructions set the base, assembly order and firebox insert, and the base sits on a compacted aggregate pad or footing.
36. Refractory panel firebox
Refractory panels assembled into a firebox inside a custom surround give a heat-proof core, suiting fully custom designs. Build note: The mason follows the panel maker’s instructions for mortar and expansion, and the surround is built in non-combustible material.
37. Freestanding steel wood stove outdoors
An outdoor-rated steel wood stove with a chimney pipe gives contained, efficient fire for small patios and covered porches where listed. Build note: The stove must be rated for outdoor use, set on a non-combustible base, and kept the listed distance from structure.
38. Cast-iron chiminea
A cast-iron chiminea is heavier and longer lasting than clay, suiting windy patios where a light chiminea could tip. Build note: Set it on a non-combustible surface such as pavers, away from overhangs, and expect surface rust without a high-heat finish.
39. Copper chiminea
A copper chiminea weathers to a green patina and suits traditional gardens and pool decks where it becomes a decorative object. Build note: Keep it away from combustibles and overhangs, and set it on a stone or paver base.
40. Tabletop ethanol fireplace
A small tabletop ethanol burner gives a contained flame on a table without gas lines or wood, suiting balconies where rules allow it. Build note: Follow the maker’s fuel and refill instructions, never refill while hot, and keep it out of wind.
41. Portable propane fireplace
A portable propane fireplace moves between patio spots or seasons, suiting renters and owners not ready to commit to a fixed location. Build note: Follow the maker’s tank connection and clearance instructions, and store the tank outdoors upright.
42. Electric outdoor fireplace
An outdoor-rated electric fireplace gives a flame effect and some heat without fuel or smoke, suiting covered patios and areas with burn restrictions. Build note: It needs a GFCI-protected outdoor circuit installed by a licensed electrician, and the unit must be rated for the location.
Gas fireplace designs
43. Gas fireplace with glass media
Fire glass over a gas burner gives a modern, sparkling bed of color, suiting contemporary patios and linear fireplaces. Build note: The burner and media must be listed for outdoor use together, and a licensed gas fitter installs and tests the line.
44. Gas fireplace with lava rock
Lava rock over a gas burner gives a natural, rugged look and spreads heat evenly, suiting rustic and desert styles. Build note: Use rock and burner combinations the maker approves, installed by a licensed gas fitter.
45. Gas fireplace with electronic ignition
Electronic ignition lets the fireplace start from a switch or remote without matches, suiting owners who want flame at a touch. Build note: Ignition wiring is licensed electrician work and the gas connection licensed fitter work; both are listed with the burner.
46. Gas fireplace with wind guard
A tempered glass wind guard around a gas burner keeps the flame steady on breezy patios and hilltop yards. Build note: The guard must be listed for use with that burner and leave the airflow the maker specifies.
47. Gas fireplace with automatic shutoff
A burner with a flame-sensing safety system shuts off the gas if the flame goes out, suiting families and windy sites. Build note: Specify the safety system with the licensed fitter when choosing the burner; it cannot be added to every unit later.
48. Gas fireplace on propane tank
A buried or screened propane tank feeds a gas fireplace where there is no natural gas service, suiting rural properties. Build note: Tank placement, distances and the supply line are installed by a licensed propane technician under local rules.
49. Gas fireplace on natural gas line
A natural gas line feeding the fireplace removes tank refills and gives steady supply, suiting homes already on gas. Build note: A licensed fitter sizes the line for every appliance on it and pressure-tests before covering the trench.
50. Linear gas fireplace in a planter wall
A long gas burner set into a raised planter wall combines fire and planting along a patio edge, suiting modern yards. Build note: Keep plants the listed distance from the burner and choose plants that tolerate heat; a licensed fitter connects the gas.
51. Gas fireplace with water feature
A wall combining a gas fire bowl and a water spill gives contrast and sound, suiting entertainment patios. Build note: The pump needs a licensed electrician and the burner a licensed fitter, with water kept away from the burner controls.
52. Gas fireplace in a pool wall
A gas fireplace built into a pool-side wall reflects in the water at night, suiting pool yards designed for evening use. Build note: Pool barrier, electrical and gas codes all apply, so licensed trades coordinate placement and clearances.
Placement and layout ideas
53. Fireplace on the patio edge
A fireplace placed at the edge of the patio faces seating inward and keeps smoke away from the house, suiting rectangular patios. Build note: The footing may sit just outside the paver field, so plan it before the patio base is laid.
54. Fireplace in the middle of a patio
A double-sided fireplace in the middle of a large patio divides it into two rooms, such as dining and lounging. Build note: The two openings change draft, so the mason sizes the flue for both, and the center footing goes in before paving.
55. Fireplace against a property wall
A fireplace built against a boundary wall saves space in narrow yards and uses the wall as a backdrop. Build note: Check setbacks for chimneys and structures near property lines, and keep the fireplace’s own footing separate from a neighbor’s wall.
56. Fireplace on a deck
A fireplace on a deck brings fire to a raised living area, suiting homes where the deck is the main outdoor room. Build note: A deck designer confirms the framing can carry the load, and the fireplace sits on a non-combustible base listed for decks.
57. Fireplace on a lower terrace
A fireplace on a lower terrace keeps smoke below house windows and creates a destination, suiting sloped yards. Build note: Steps and lighting lead down to it, and the terrace needs drainage so water does not pool at the hearth.
58. Fireplace facing a lawn
A fireplace facing open lawn suits events where guests stand and mingle rather than sit in a fixed group. Build note: Pave a generous area in front of the hearth so sparks do not land on turf, and keep the lawn mown short nearby.
59. Fireplace near the hot tub
A fireplace near a hot tub warms bathers stepping out on cold nights, suiting yards used through winter. Build note: Electrical clearances around the tub and fire clearances around the hearth both apply; licensed trades set them.
60. Fireplace beside the outdoor kitchen
A fireplace beside the outdoor kitchen shares a pad, gas supply and lighting, suiting yards building both together. Build note: The gas line is sized for all appliances at once by a licensed fitter, and the two structures need their own clearances.
61. Fireplace in a side yard nook
A small fireplace tucked into a side yard nook creates a private retreat away from the main patio, suiting narrow lots. Build note: Check setback rules for chimneys and keep smoke from blowing into neighbors’ windows.
62. Fireplace framed by trees
A fireplace sited between mature trees uses them as a backdrop, suiting wooded lots. Build note: Keep branches well above and away from the chimney, and avoid cutting roots inside the critical root zone when digging the footing.
Seating and comfort
63. Built-in curved bench
A curved masonry bench facing the fire gathers guests in a semicircle, suiting fireplaces placed at the end of a lawn or patio. Build note: The bench needs a footing or compacted base and a smooth cap, set at a comfortable distance from the opening.
64. Sunken seating area
Seating stepped down in front of the fire shelters guests from wind and focuses attention on the flame, suiting exposed sites. Build note: Drainage at the low point is critical, so the sunken area needs a drain or permeable base.
65. Outdoor sofa zone
A paved zone sized for outdoor sofas sits at a comfortable distance from the fire, suiting patios used for long evenings. Build note: Size the zone with the patio size planner and keep seating out of the hearth clearance area.
66. Gravel fire courtyard
A gravel courtyard in front of a fireplace gives a non-combustible, draining surface for loose chairs, suiting informal yards. Build note: Compact a base under the gravel, edge it with steel or stone, and choose crushed stone that packs firm under chair legs.
67. Fireplace with built-in pizza shelf
A shallow shelf at the side of the firebox lets cooks warm bread or rest pans by the fire, suiting fireplaces used for casual cooking. Build note: The mason builds the shelf from refractory material into the firebox design; it is not added later.
68. Fireplace with log-loading door
A side door into a deep firebox lets wood be loaded without reaching over the fire, suiting large wood-burning fireplaces. Build note: The door must be a steel unit rated for the heat, and the mason frames it into the firebox wall.
Roof, shade and screening
69. Pergola with fireplace
A pergola framing the fireplace area defines the outdoor room and gives filtered shade by day, suiting open patios. Build note: The chimney must rise well clear of the pergola beams, and posts need footings set away from the firebox.
70. Covered pavilion with fireplace
A roofed pavilion with a fireplace allows fires in rain and creates a true outdoor room, suiting all-season use. Build note: A permit is likely, and flue clearances to the roof framing follow the firebox listing or the mason’s design.
71. Privacy screen behind fireplace
A masonry or metal screen wall behind the fireplace blocks neighbors’ views and reflects heat back toward seating, suiting overlooked suburban yards where privacy matters as much as warmth. Build note: Use non-combustible material near the chimney, give the wall its own footing, and keep it the clearance from the flue that the mason specifies.
72. Hedge backdrop
A tall hedge planted behind a fireplace gives a green backdrop and wind shelter, suiting naturalistic gardens. Build note: Leave clearance between the hedge and chimney for heat and sparks, and choose a less resinous species.
73. Fireplace on a gravel side terrace
A small fireplace set on its own gravel terrace off the main patio gives a separate fire area, suiting yards that want a quiet retreat. Build note: The fireplace footing goes in first, then a compacted gravel terrace with edging around it.
74. Louvered roof with fireplace
A louvered roof over the fireplace seating opens to clear smoke and closes against rain, suiting changeable climates. Build note: Motorized louvers need a licensed electrician, and the chimney must still clear the closed roof.
Wood-burning practices
75. Firewood storage shed
A covered log store keeps firewood dry and seasoned near the fireplace, suiting wood burners; EPA guidance favors dry, seasoned wood for a cleaner burn. Build note: Build it on a raised base with airflow and keep it a safe distance from the firebox.
76. Spark arrestor cap
A spark arrestor mesh at the top of the chimney reduces embers leaving the fireplace, suiting wooded and wildfire-prone areas. Build note: Specify the arrestor on the chimney cap, and check whether local fire rules require one.
77. Ash pit door
An ash pit door below the firebox lets ash drop into a cleanout chamber, suiting fireplaces used often. Build note: The ash pit is built into the masonry during construction, with an exterior cleanout door.
78. Fireplace with outdoor-rated screen doors
Outdoor-rated mesh doors on a wood fireplace contain sparks while leaving the flame visible, suiting yards near dry planting. Build note: The doors must fit the opening and be rated for the heat; the mason frames the opening to their size.
79. Glass doors on a wood fireplace
Glass doors on a wood fireplace contain sparks and smoke when the fire burns down, suiting patios near the house. Build note: Use doors listed for that firebox and opening size, installed by the mason or firebox installer.
80. Fireplace with side vents for draft
Fireplaces in exposed sites sometimes need design changes to draw well, such as a taller flue, suiting windy hilltops. Build note: Ask the mason how the design addresses local wind, and get the flue height in writing.
81. Fireplace sited for prevailing wind
Siting the fireplace so prevailing wind carries smoke away from seating and the house makes every fire more pleasant, suiting any yard. Build note: Watch the wind for a season or check with the designer before setting the footing.
Style ideas
82. Modern minimalist fireplace
Clean planes, a linear gas burner and a flush hearth give a modern minimalist fireplace suited to contemporary homes. Build note: The burner is installed by a licensed gas fitter, and the cladding is set on a non-combustible frame.
83. Rustic lodge fireplace
Large fieldstones, a heavy timber mantel and a tall chimney give a lodge-style fireplace suited to mountain properties, ski homes and wooded lots with big trees. Build note: Timber clearances from the opening are set by the mason, and the footing must be sized for the weight of large stone.
84. Mediterranean fireplace
Stucco with tile accents, a rounded chimney and an arched opening give a Mediterranean fireplace suited to Spanish and Tuscan homes with terracotta roofs. Build note: Use frost-rated tile in cold climates, heat-rated materials around the opening, and a block core on a concrete footing.
85. Fireplace with a cooking crane
A swinging iron crane fixed inside the firebox holds a pot over the fire, suiting farmhouse yards and open-fire cooking. Build note: The crane anchors into the masonry during the build, rated for the weight of a full pot.
86. Desert fireplace
Adobe-style stucco with rounded edges and a beehive-shaped firebox gives a desert fireplace suited to Southwestern and Pueblo-revival homes in dry climates. Build note: Stucco goes over a block core on a footing, and the firebox interior is lined with fire-rated brick rather than stucco.
87. Fireplace with built-in wood box under hearth
A recess beneath the hearth stores split wood at the fire, suiting yards without room for a separate log store. Build note: The recess needs drainage and airflow, and the mason keeps it out of the hearth’s heat path.
88. Craftsman fireplace
Clinker brick mixed with river stone gives a Craftsman fireplace suited to bungalows and Arts and Crafts gardens with deep porches and natural materials. Build note: A mason blends the brick and stone over a block core on a footing, with a fire-rated brick firebox inside.
89. Industrial fireplace
Steel cladding and concrete give an industrial fireplace suited to urban lofts and modern yards. Build note: Steel needs a high-heat coating near the opening, and a fabricator builds the cladding on a non-combustible frame.
Small-space and budget fireplaces
90. Wall-mounted outdoor gas heater-fireplace
A slim wall-mounted unit gives visible flame and heat on a narrow patio where a full fireplace will not fit. Build note: Mounting, venting and gas connection follow the maker’s listing and stay with a licensed installer.
91. Fireplace insert in a garden wall
A small firebox set into an existing garden or retaining wall adds fire without a freestanding structure, suiting yards with sound masonry walls. Build note: A mason confirms the wall can carry the firebox and adds a proper flue; retaining walls holding soil may not be suitable.
92. Clay pizza-oven-and-fire combo
A small clay oven doubles as a warming fire on cool evenings, suiting compact yards where cooks want both. Build note: Set it on a non-combustible stand on a level, compacted base and cover it from rain.
93. Steel fire box on legs
A freestanding steel firebox on legs gives fireplace-style fire without masonry, suiting renters and owners who may move. Build note: Place it on pavers or stone away from structures and overhangs, per the maker’s clearances.
94. Gravel fireplace pad
A gravel pad under a portable fireplace gives a non-combustible area at low cost, suiting lawns without a patio. Build note: Compact a base, edge the gravel, and extend it beyond the fireplace on all sides.
95. Phased masonry fireplace
Pouring the footing and building the firebox first, with veneer and cap added later, spreads a masonry fireplace over seasons. Build note: The footing and flue design must be final from the start, and the bare block needs protection over winter.
Fire and wildfire safety
96. Defensible-space fireplace siting
Locating a fireplace well away from wooden fences, sheds, decks and dense shrubs suits wildfire-prone areas where embers can travel on the wind. Build note: Read the defensible space rules for your area before choosing a site, and surround the fireplace with non-combustible paving or gravel.
97. Non-combustible hardscape ring
A ring of pavers or stone around the hearth keeps sparks off lawn and mulch, suiting wood-burning fireplaces in any yard. Build note: Extend paving beyond the hearth on all open sides and avoid mulch beds near the opening.
98. Ember-resistant plant choices nearby
Low, well-watered plants around the fireplace reduce fuel close to the fire, suiting wildfire-prone areas and dry summer climates. Build note: Avoid resinous shrubs such as junipers beside the hearth, keep plants irrigated through dry spells, and leave a non-combustible strip next to the masonry.
99. Fireplace with lighting in the wing walls
Low-voltage lights set into the fireplace wing walls light the seating area without glare, suiting fireplaces used after dark. Build note: Use plug-in low-voltage kits or a licensed electrician, with fixtures kept away from heat.
100. Gas shutoff signage
A clearly labeled, accessible gas shutoff near a gas fireplace lets anyone turn off the supply in an emergency, suiting every gas installation. Build note: The licensed fitter places and labels the valve where it can be reached without leaning over the fire.
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HyreYard Research Desk
Primary-source research, data analysis and fact checking
We are a research desk, not a landscaping company. We read the statute, the municipal code, the water-district rule or the federal soil file ourselves, and we publish the figure with the document it came from and the date we retrieved it.
Where a number cannot be traced to a primary source, we publish the shorter page and say what we could not verify. This desk is new.
The counts below are what we can already stand behind, and every one of them is counted from the studies on this site.
- 255
- source documents cited, each linked
- 112
- government (.gov) domains among them
- 258
- citations carrying a retrieval date
- 10
- research studies published
How this desk works
- Primary sources only. A rule comes from the statute, ordinance, board or agency that issued it, cited by section, with the URL and the retrieval date. We do not cite a blog that cites a code.
- Coverage is a number. A table titled to fifty states has fifty sourced rows. A table of cities is titled to the cities we actually read. Gaps are published as gaps.
- Company counts stay inside seven states. Texas, Arizona, Washington, California, Oregon, Florida and North Carolina. Texas is the largest roster on the weakest evidence, a self-reported NAICS sales-tax permit, because Texas licenses no landscaper. National claims rest on federal or state agency data, never on our counts.
- Fact, calculation, analysis and recommendation stay labeled. "According to…" is a source. "HyreYard analyzed… and calculated…" is ours. "This suggests…" is interpretation. We do not present our reading as something the source stated.
- We do not landscape, irrigate, plant, cut trees or pull permits, and we take no payment for placement, ranking or a favorable mention. Nobody buys a position on this site.
Authorship on this site is organizational: the analysis belongs to the desk rather than to a named individual, and we do not publish credentials we do not hold. Our editorial policy sets out how we source, date and correct what we publish.