By Woody Smallwood, Frederick Facility Manager, Potomac Valley Brick
The crisp fall air, colorful fallen leaves and dark evenings offer a great opportunity to get break out the s’mores, get cozy and make memories with family and friends. And what better way to do that than by sitting by a bright, roaring fire in a firepit or outdoor fireplace. But when it comes to building one of these, where do you start?
The First Steps
Once you’ve decided a firepit or outdoor fireplace is for you, it’s time evaluate the available options to ensure the right fit for you, your family and your home. Prior to purchasing any material, you should consult your local fire code to see if firepits or outdoor fireplaces are allowed in your city or county and, if so, how far away they must be from any structure. Once you understand the laws, begin by assessing your space to determine the best location for the structure. Firepits and outdoor fireplaces should always be on a level surface so keep that in mind when choosing your spot.
Next, you’ll want to evaluate your overall budget. The cost of building a firepit can vary from a few hundred dollars to several thousand depending on the size, material and type you want to use. Several options exist including in-ground, permanent above-ground and even portable fire pits. An outdoor fireplace, on the other hand, is much more expensive to build, ranging from about $3,000 up to $10,000, depending on material, size and scope.
Choosing the Right Materials
The most popular material options for firepits and outdoor fireplaces are brick 
and stone. Both can withstand intense heat, so the choice really comes down to aesthetics. Stone gives a firepit or fireplace a more rustic, natural look but for a more traditional brick home, brick may be a better match for your exterior. You should also consider whether your firepit or fireplace will be incorporated into a patio and what look will best complement the existing materials. Concrete is another option that’s growing in popularity. However, this material tends to get hotter than stone or brick so it’s not as ideal for families with young children.
A lesser known option is volcanic pumice stone. Isokern by Earthcore sells firepits and outdoor fireplaces that are made from genuine volcanic pumice extracted from Iceland’s Mount Hekla volcano. This material is amazingly cool to the touch when it’s heated to high temperatures. Since pumice stone forms underneath volcanic molten lava, it remains cool to help let water and gasses escape. Isokern also sells wood burning pizza ovens if you want to up the ante on your outdoor entertaining space.
DIY vs. Professional Install
Many people enjoy DIY home projects. If you’re a real do-it-yourselfer you can build your firepit entirely from scratch by preparing the location and base, cutting the exterior stone or brick as needed, placing the materials around the pit by hand, lining the inside of the structure with firebrick and preparing the bottom with lava rock, sand or even dirt. An outdoor fireplace is a bit more challenging to fully DIY since it requires more tools, precision and manpower.
If you like the idea of a DIY firepit or fireplace but prefer a more planned out approach, several manufacturers offer customizable firepit or fireplace kits that provide all the materials you need. Nicolock offers some great options for both firepits and outdoor fireplaces. Their firepit kits are available in a variety of shapes and colors and include all the materials you need such as the stone, insert, coping and more (depending on the package you choose). For outdoor fireplaces, Nicolock offers similar kits that come complete with the stone wall, accent pieces and chimney.
If you’re not the DIY type, you can hire a contractor to build a firepit or outdoor fireplace at your home. But it’s important to factor in budget when making this decision. While it varies across the country, labor rates can get rather pricey, at times almost twice the cost of the materials. Some landscapers assess an hourly cost for this type of work but will likely bill the project as a flat rate to help with budgeting purposes.
A firepit or outdoor fireplace can create a memorable space for gatherings of friends and family and extend your time outdoors once summer ends. Whether you choose stone or brick, to DIY or hire a professional, a firepit or outdoor fireplace can help you make lasting memories on those cool, brisk autumn nights.
To see plans and installation drawings for various firepits and fireplaces from Earthcore, Nicolock and Superior Clay, please visit https://www.pvbrick.com/products to navigate to each manufacturer’s website.
