Saturday, July 11, 2009

How to Build an Outdoor Fireplace

An outdoor fireplace can make your backyard even more functional by providing an area for summer barbeques and autumn fires. While constructing a brick fireplace is beyond the skill set of most homeowners, installing a prefabricated outdoor fireplace on a permanent
foundation is within the realm of most do it yourself enthusiasts.Before building your outdoor fireplace it is important research any applicable codes or restrictions that may limit your construction plans. There may be minimum distance that must be observed between your outdoor fireplace and any homes or other structures. Most cities will also require you to obtain a building permit prior to construction.For safety's sake, purchase a prefabricated outdoor fireplace that will sit on a permanent foundation. This will eliminate the risk of a chimney fire from an improperly constructed outdoor fireplace. Purchasing a prefabricated outdoor fireplace may also make obtaining a building permit at city hall easier. Look at the manufacturer's instructions for the recommended foundation size. In general, you'll want to pour a concrete slab foundation that is 4 to 6 inches thick and that is also 8 to 10 inches wider than the footprint of the outdoor fireplace. A wider foundation will further protect against inadvertent damage from the fire.To pour the foundation, level off a section of ground to accommodate a concrete pad. Build a four sided frame out of 2"x4" or 2"x6" lumber that is the desired depth and size of the finished foundation. Oil the inside of the frame for easy removal and place it over the area that you have cleared for the outdoor fireplace.Mix concrete according to the manufacturer's instructions. Be sure to choose a concrete that is rated to withstand heat. When mixing concrete, keep in mind that the ratio of water and concrete is important: too much water will cause the concrete to crumble prematurely. Pour the mixed concrete into the frame. Use a scrap piece of lumber to level off the concrete at top of the frame.How to Build an Outdoor Fireplace


View this post on my blog: http://madeinhome.info/how-to-build-an-outdoor-fireplace

0 comments:

Post a Comment

About this blog

Site Sponsors