How to Build a Fireplace in the Backyard

Outdoor fireplaces can be a fine addition to your backyard in terms of both increasing your home’s value and making it look good. It has become increasingly common to find these in backyards across America, whether they’re the size of a polar bear or small enough to mistake for a bench. If you’re wanting to hop on board but don’t know where to start, we can help. This project is more difficult than your average do-it-yourself, but it’s not unattainable if you’re willing to put in the work! Doing the labor yourself can cut a lot of costs – plus you’ll get that great sense of satisfaction when you enjoy it later.

Let’s jump right into the steps:

1. Collect your materials and tools. Building a fireplace requires shovels, cement, cinderblocks, a plate compacter, veneer stone, cap rock, and a log burner.
2. Figure out where the fireplace will go. The ideal location for it is where it can be seen from the house and is also accessible and useful for the backyard deck. Make sure the ground is more or less level. Once you have the location, mark it, including the proposed dimensions of the fireplace.
3. Now it’s time to start digging. You’ll need to get a trench for the cement foundation. It’s important not to skimp on this step, as this will be your fireplace’s first defense against damage from structural instability. Not only do you not want your hard work to be wasted, but you also want people to be safe around the fireplace.
4. Once you have the trench, pound the ground with the plate compactor to prevent settling after your project is complete.
5. Pour in cement and let it cure for a full 24 hours. Ensure it’s formed a level area and is dry by the time you start in on the next step. Again, the foundation is important for the fireplace’s structural integrity.
6. Now it’s time to build. Place your cinderblocks or whatever material you decided on for the structure of the fireplace. Check each layer with a level to confirm that nothing odd is happening to your foundation. It’s better to address problems before the whole structure is built than after. Between each layer, spread mortar so the blocks adhere to one another. Once the structure’s built, let it sit overnight to settle.
7. Build up your stone veneer on the fireplace to make it look good. You can also use a brick one if that’s what you choose.
8. Place the cap rock on your fireplace.
9. Install the log burner.

Follow these 9 steps and you’ll have your very own fireplace to enjoy in your backyard. Remember that a project like this can add to your home’s equity as well as increase your own pleasure in being on your property. Start in on building one before it gets too hot.

If you need more details for any steps, watch the attached video.