Outdoor living has been a popular trend for decades now with the designs getting more and more complex. These additional entertaining spaces can truly bring a home’s interior to the exterior and encourage more outside time. While our clients already had a well-used spot for enjoying their yard, they were looking to complete the space with a custom outdoor fireplace.
The existing backyard patio area was located on a small, tight lot and was separated into three uses – outdoor seating, hot tubbing and transitioning between the two. It was challenging to place this third space since there was not a lot of room to build out. We had to be especially careful where we put the back wall, ensuring we did not encroach on the lot lines and a drainage easement.
The goal was to create another entertaining space centered around a large custom outdoor fireplace. We built a raised patio enclosed with a seating wall (no guests falling off the patio, please) and placed the fireplace at one end. The firebox was made with concrete block; we then used a natural stone veneer to encapsulate it. We also added travertine, a natural stone akin to marble, for accent pieces.
Since the fireplace was set on top of the raised patio, it was important that the underlying structure be able to handle the weight. To create the patio bed, we built up the ground with layers of packed gravel. Even though soil can feel sturdy, it moves with freezing and thawing, is greatly affected by water, and breaks down over time. Gravel is much more resilient and therefore will hold up much better over time. We did not want the patio to sink – ever!
Our clients wanted a wood-burning custom outdoor fireplace, so we had to consider the presence of sparks and embers in our design. The fire had to be far enough from the decking to keep large sparks from affecting it and we made sure the landscaping was not hanging over the chimney. Fireplaces need draft to work correctly, so we designed the chimney to offer good flow – just like a chimney on a home. The end result was a fireplace that added to the overall ambiance of the space but also functioned well and safely.
Landscaping around the new space added the final touches.
Adding a custom outdoor fireplace is about much more than the fireplace. Placement, a solid base and appropriate airflow are needed to ensure a beautiful and functional outcome. If you are considering adding a new outdoor living space, send us an email or give us a call at (317) 997-4803.
