When it comes to DIY stuff, we love to think of possibilities. We started Backyard Flare because we had a dream that every backyard could be fabulous. Every backyard should have a statement piece that sets it off. Basically, we believe that all backyards deserve to have a wow factor. Your backyard is part of the “ALL”. A DIY outdoor fireplace may be the answer.
Conversation and drinks around the DIY outdoor fireplace.
And that backyard build doesn’t always have to be expensive. It doesn’t have to cost an arm and leg, or your next born, to build. We know this because we came up with budget but elegant build methods for DIY outdoor fireplaces and outdoor kitchens.
How about you?
Ever wonder if you had what it took to build a DIY outdoor fireplace? Let us answer that question for you. We know you do have what it takes because most of our customers have never built with cinderblock and mortar and they’ve built beautiful structures. Use one of our easy-to-follow DIY construction plans and start building today. There’s no better time than the present.
This is our Cholla design built by a DIY homeowner
Ready for your DIY Outdoor Fireplace project?
If you are thinking that you want a fun, rewarding, and budget minded DIY project, look no further than Backyard Flare. We can help you with mentorship opportunities while you build. We will be there for you along the way with help, tips, answers, etc… Yep, you’re not alone in your quest for a gorgeous DIY backyard space. Go to www.backyardflare.com today and start your journey or get ahold of us using the contact found on the website. We’d love to hear from you. Thanks for reading and as we always say, “happy building”.
I was working on a custom fireplace design and DIY construction plan for a customer the other day. We had just spoken about her fireplace structure. She had asked me questions, one of which was “should I use a chimney flue”? I explained my experience with a chimney flue and the construction method of our designs, answering all her follow up questions. She was eager to learn which made me very happy. When we finished our conversation, the phone rang again, and I answered it.
On the other end of the phone was a man who wanted to build a DIY outdoor fireplace in his backyard. Would you believe he had the exact same question concerning the use of a chimney flue. I spoke with him for a while and answered all his questions. When I hung up, I really started to think back. There were lots phone calls and emails that hit on the specific topic of a chimney flue in our outdoor fireplaces.
Here We Go!
I thought that this same topic would be a good one for my next blog post because the interest is obviously out there. Now let me get started by saying that if you have ten masons in a room and you give them the same picture and dimensions of a fireplace, then say, “Go build it”, it will be built ten different ways. No two structures would be alike. Now I must continue with this and say that all ten fireplaces could very well be functional fireplaces and just because they are all built different doesn’t mean any of them are wrong. They’re just different. We are just one of those masons and ours is simply a different method of building and to some, a different train of thought. The use of a chimney flue is not wrong at all, but we know they aren’t necessary if the structure is built the way we build.
This is a DIY outdoor fireplace built using our plans without a chimney flue.
This is not to say that you absolutely can’t use a chimney flue with our designs, we just know that they aren’t always necessary. A lot of masons build using these clay pipes. Some are square, some are rectangle, and some are round. Some are 12” long and some are three feet long and there are several diameters too. First, I need to go back a bit and explain what a chimney flue is used for. It is literally the tube that lines a chimney and lots of people think they are a necessity.
We Design Without a Chimney Flue
You may be thinking, “how do I not need a flue to direct the smoke”. Our designs are constructed with the interior chimney dimensions being formed by block. In essence, our chimneys designs are all squares and rectangles. There are no round edges or round entryways to our chimney openings so square and rectangle blocks dictate the way everything is formed.
Even our fireplace with no chimney functions well.
Backyard Flare fireplace designs incorporate a large throat chimney, so the inside of the chimney does not get super-hot. Our cinder block fireplace designs have been heat tested and they are hotter in the Arizona summer than in the winter months with a fire burning. I can literally stand up on my fireplace after a fire has been burning for 15-20 minutes and stick my hand inside the chimney opening. I can hold my bare hand against the inside of the chimney from the top and it is warm, but not so hot that it is unbearable. This is the reason we can say that the inside of our chimneys aren’t even as hot as it is on a sunny Arizona day.
This is Backyard Flare’s first ever fireplace built in 2007. No chimney flue was used and it still works great with no breakdown of the chimney blocks.
Lots of people will say you need to build your chimney with a clay flue for purposes of heat, thus keeping the heat off the cinder block. I say, if your chimney opening is big enough, not restricting the smoke and heat, you don’t need a chimney flue. You can open a chimney up pretty big and not even affect the draft of the structure, so it’s basically up to you which build method you want to subscribe to.
How Are We Different?
Backyard Flare construction plans use the same basic build method above the firebox from design to design. These chimneys appear different from the outside too. We have never had a draft problem, so we know we have a tried and true method of building that does not require a chimney flue, thus reducing the cost of the final structure.
I hope his
post has helped you out and that it has answered a few questions. Let us know if you have any further questions
and we will make every attempt to get you an answer. Thanks for reading and if you are wanting to
build a DIY outdoor fireplace, visit www.backyardflare.com
for the best and most comprehensive DIY construction plans on the market. As I always say, happy building.
Hello all you DIYers and enthusiasts of backyard fireplace and transformation. I wanted to write a bit about one of our latest ventures, a corner Arizona outdoor fireplace with storage voids that I built at my in-law’s house in Arizona. The backyard isn’t huge, only about 30 feet deep from the back of the house to the back wall, so we decided to offset the fireplace in the corner to not block the mountain view.
Doesn’t Have to be Expensive!
The best
part of this whole build is that we really designed and built on a budget, building
as inexpensive as possible without substituting quality. In total, we spent just over $1,600, and that
included the poured concrete slab, lighting, and all finish work. It really is amazing at what you can build
and how cheap the overall cost can be when you enter the DIY world. So, let’s break it down.
The Backyard Fireplace Building Begins
Getting the slab poured is lots of fun. Use wire mesh or rebar in your concrete pour to add strength to the slab.Concrete is a dirty job but lots of fun at the same time.
We knew the footprint of the backyard fireplace so we worked with disturbing only that area. We excavated the site and prepared the ground for the concrete slab, using steel in the pour. Once the concrete cured for a few days, we began laying the block as per the construction plan, which showed literally where every block went. So easy! We established the entry point at the back of the structure for the low voltage lighting wire to come in and routed that wire through the structure.
We filled wooden jigs with concrete to create the arched lintels.
The storage
voids and firebox were arched and that was completed by building wood jigs,
supporting them in place, and pouring concrete into them to create the
lintels. The arches really made the
three openings come to life, so we are happy we made that decision.
Finish Work Decisions
Just an amazing night with family and friends.
When the rough
build was completed, we lined the firebox with firebrick in a stacked pattern to
change it up and covered the whole structure in smooth coat stucco. The stucco was then painted to match the
color of the house, so it tied everything in.
Almost all horizontal surfaces were covered in a gorgeous honey brown
flagstone that we chisel cut for a rustic edge.
The LED lighting was added to the front of the structure and inside each
storage void, where it was connected to the low voltage wire. We are so happy we made the decision to add
lights because it makes the whole structure come to life even when not in use.
Finished DIY outdoor backyard fireplace with painted stucco and brick patio
The patio spanning the front of our backyard fireplace was completed in a random pattern with colored concrete pavers. It sure made the whole sitting area complete, giving it a finished look. We have enjoyed the fireplace even through the summer with ambiance fires, so we’re not letting the warm nights slow us down. Sitting at a distance is the way we do it when it’s warm outside. Just make sure you and your guests have your drink of choice while you sit and relax.
Want to Build a Backyard Fireplace Too?
We hope you love our backyard fireplace and all of what we built as much as we do and that you are inspired to step into this as well. Backyard Flare, LLC is the leader in DIY outdoor fireplace construction plans. Whether you are an accomplished mason or someone who has NEVER worked with block and mortar, you can build our designs. Open the construction plan and begin building your own backyard fireplace. We are confident that you too can build a masterpiece, so get going on your design ideas.
Beautify your DIY outdoor fireplace with lighting.
There are many ways to install backyard lighting in your outdoor space. In this quick tutorial, we’d like to specifically go over our method of installing low voltage lighting in a outdoor fireplace structure. We are currently building an amazing DIY outdoor fireplace at my in-law’s house in Marana, Arizona, a suburb of Tucson, and it is turning out beautiful. To include that “extra something”, we made sure to add a little lighting to the fireplace, so it really shows off the structure at night. Backyard lighting makes the world of difference when added tastefully. Just a little goes a long way.
Bring Your Backyard To Life
Even when we aren’t enjoying the warmth of a fire, we want to be able to look out the window into the backyard and see the fireplace, and the lighting will really make that happen. The backyard lighting also gives off enough ambient light, so the backyard isn’t completely dark. We want to be able to go outside and walk around the backyard at night without having to turn on all the exterior patio lights.
Lowes? Yep…They’re Everywhere
Here at Backyard
Flare, we love to shop at Lowes Home Improvement because they have so much
variety in their departments. Follow
them on Instagram at @loweshomeimprovement for great pics and design
ideas. For the lighting on our
structure, we ventured to the outdoor lighting aisle and we picked up a Hampton
Bay 150W transformer, a 100-foot spool of low voltage lighting cord, and six Hampton
Bay LED lights. The total was about $125,
but you’ll see that it was worth every penny.
Backyard Lighting Installation
So, let’s get into the installation method. To understand low voltage lighting, it is important to know that it’s like powering a light bulb with a battery. A transformer will plug into a wall outlet, but the alternating current from the outlet will be converted in the transformer to direct current, like a battery. The 100-foot power cord is attached to the back of the transformer like you would attach speaker cord to a receiver, only a screw driver is used after the ends of the wires are stripped.
We routed the cord to the structure, and it entered on the back-left side. We ran it through the structure, cutting grooves into the tops of the cinder blocks for channels where necessary. The cord ran everywhere we wanted lights, and then it exited the back-right side of the fireplace.
Light Positioning
Run the power cord through the structure by cutting grooves into the block.
Once we
figured out exactly where we wanted the lights, we used a 3/8” masonry drill
bit and drilled holes big enough to pass the LED light connector through the
block. Inside the block, the lights’
push pin connectors were attached to the power cord and… we had light. The lights were attached to the front of the
structure using wall anchors in the block.
To install the wall anchors, we drilled more holes using a ¼” masonry
drill bit. It’s just like adding them to
drywall, but with a little bit more dust.
We made sure to add a light on the inside of each storage void too so the voids would be back-lit. It added a lot of appeal to the look of the structure and sure made a huge impact at night. The addition of light to an outdoor fireplace or kitchen is super simple and we know that you can do it. We sure hope this helped you out and that it eased your hesitation to add lighting to your structure or backyard. If you’re interested in building your own DIY outdoor fireplace or outdoor kitchen, visit us at Backyard Flare for the best and most comprehensive outdoor construction plans on the market.
Show Us What Your Lighting
We would
love to see some of your outdoor lighting.
Please send pics of your projects to dan@backyardflare.com. Thanks for reading, and I hope you learned
something here. Until next time, have
fun on your outdoor projects and happy building.
Dan Heston Backyard Flare, LLC Tucson, Arizona www.backyardflare.com www.diyoutdoorfireplaces.com 520-269-9740
Okay, so the weather is improving right? Well, at least in a lot of areas it is. It will be time for some outdoor attention at your house. Your backyard and even your front yard will be begging for some kindness, and there are a few things you can do to make it look fantastic. Here are three things you can do to add appeal to your outdoor space.
Let’s Get Busy
Clean up the clutter and dirt. I can’t stress this enough. Clutter and stuff laying around makes a space look messy. Whether the clutter is toys, yard tools, or just a pile of pool towels, picking it up and putting it away will make a huge impact. That’s where I always start. I address the easy stuff first. Now you’ll be able to address the horizontal surfaces of the backyard, the patio, a table top, etc. Get a wet rag and wipe off. Step one finished.
Trim your bushes and trees. I have a palm tree and a lemon tree in the back corners of my backyard. At times, the palm tree will have one or two hanging down and they will be starting to dry and turn brown. These low hanging nuisances are easily trimmed with a pole saw and it changes the look drastically. This palm stands like royalty behind my swimming pool waterfall, so when it looks trimmed and tidy, it makes a huge difference. The lemon tree blooms constantly here in Arizona, so we have to cut off branches that almost touch the ground under the weight of the fruit. We pick the lemons and then trim some of these low hanging branches, transforming the underside of the tree. Step two finished.
Pick your weeds. Here in Arizona and in many areas in the southwest, we have rocks in our backyards. I guess you can say we don’t really have yards as most would define them…grass. When the rainy season arrives, I swear my neighbor throws handfuls of weed seeds over the wall, while snickering like the Grinch. Then he waits until the weeds grow and laughs as I address the problem. By picking weeds, I get back to the clean and organized look of a rocked backyard space. It’s amazing how much better it looks. Step three finished.
Now Get Started
By doing
these three simple things, I get my backyard to a clean, organized, and
welcoming oasis, worthy of a party. The
beauty is that it doesn’t cost me anything other than a bit of sweat equity to
transform my backyard. Perform this
three-step ritual a few times a year and your backyard will continue to impress
all who venture there.
By doing these three simple things, I get my backyard to a clean, organized, and welcoming oasis, worthy of a party. The beauty is that it doesn’t cost me anything other than a bit of sweat equity to transform my backyard. Perform this three-step ritual a few times a year and your backyard will continue to impress all who venture there.
Hopefully You’re Inspired
We hope you will use these quick and easy steps to work on your outdoor backyard presence. Send us before and after pictures of your outdoor space, cluttered and then clean. We would love to share in a separate blog post how our readers are making their backyards an extension of their home lives. Send pics and your story to dan@backyardflare.com and thanks for reading and we hope to hear from you.
The other day my phone rang and it was a customer of Backyard Flare that had purchased a DIY construction plan for the Pima II design. This customer was looking for information about whether he needed to build the fireplace on a concrete pad or whether he could just build it on the dirt. This question comes in quite often so I wanted to address it again. Concrete pads are necessary for a masonry outdoor fireplace.
Where You Live is Important
Finished concrete is ready for block work
Think about all the places you have been and the ground you have walked on. There’s Arizona with ground so hard that it almost takes a jack hammer to dig down a couple inches. Then there’s Florida with gorgeous sandy beaches, but that sandy soil reaches inland too. You have the northeast states that have frost lines so deep, that it’s a wonder that it ever thaws out. And we can’t forget the northwest that gets a lot of rain that could create washout conditions.
There is our dilemma with phone calls relating to how thick or whether a concrete pad is necessary. Even here in Arizona, I always build my outdoor structures on concrete. This is for peace of mind so if there is any ground settling, the structure will hopefully be okay.
If a masonry built structure settles, and it has been built on a running bond (stair step) block pattern, the cracking will look like a stair step going up. The blocks will often separate at the seams, not crack. This is not the way you want your outdoor structure to end up, because you spent your hard labor to build it.
What should you do?
DIY outdoor fireplace on new poured concrete pad.
Do it right from the beginning and pour some concrete. Support that structure and keep it from settling and cracking. Now you say, that’s all fine and dandy, but how thick does the concrete need to be? There’s an issue with that portion of the concrete pad question in that there is no “one answer” to that question. There is no recommendation that we can give you because your geographic area and soil will dictate the answer.
Remember all the different soil types we cited a few paragraphs ago? There are so many variables that exist that will need to be addressed and recognized before a concrete pad thickness answer can be formulated. Our advice is to seek out some professionals in the concrete industry and ask. Go to Home Depot or Lowes and see if there is a person who used to pour concrete for a living that is working there in retirement. They are sometimes a wealth of information. Go to the internet and search for recommendations based on your soil type and geographic area. Again, lots of information.
Test Time
So, what have we learned? I always recommend a concrete pad for an outdoor masonry built fireplace or kitchen. There is no hard and fast recipe that applies to everyone that they should follow to pour the pad, so go find your local resources. They’re out there.
If you would like to discuss your backyard outdoor fireplace or kitchen and would like to learn more about the DIY world we love so much, visit Backyard Flare. We can help make it a reality, saving you thousands of dollars. Give your backyard a face-lift and beautify your outdoor space.
You can do it!!! I remember receiving a phone call from Shelley who said she lived in New Jersey. Shelley explained to me that she was single, in her sixties, and that she lived on a piece of property that had a small creek running through it down the hill from her backyard. Shelley explained that she really wanted an outdoor fireplace but that she was super apprehensive about doing it herself. Because of the limited knowledge she had about masonry construction, Shelley was concerned with her age and ability to do the physical labor. I asked her some questions about her ability to lift and explained what the project would require.
Shelley Said Yes to the Outdoor Fireplace
We talked it through, and by the end, Shelley was ready to take on the challenge. A DIY outdoor fireplace does not have to be intimidating or seem out of the realm of possibility if you have the right tools, preparation, and a good plan. A construction plan that is…something that will take the guess work out of the project. If you are physically able to lift a 60-pound bag of mortar, or if you have someone who can do it for you, that’s the first step. If you’re willing to step into a work site with an open mind, then you too can do what Shelley did.
Talk about charming. This backyard patio was transformed into a great sitting destination.
Shelley built her very own DIY outdoor fireplace and although it was small, it made a huge impact in her backyard and it is definitely a focal point. Do you agree, and do you think you want to join the DIY world? She had us do some special design work to make the fireplace what she wanted. We angled the chimney on all sides and designed the firebox to be low on the structure, which gave it a neat look.
It Was Fun According to Shelley
The fireplace sits on the edge of the patio with the treeline in the background.
After building the structure, Shelley said that she took her time and didn’t push hard to get it done quickly. She said that if she could do it in her sixties, then anyone could do it. This is a testament that most people have the capability to do more than they truly think. There is an inner construction worker in most of us. Give your insecurities to us and let us provide you with a DIY construction plan. If you follow it, you to will be able to build a beautiful outdoor fireplace just like Shelley did.
Shelley built her first fire and started making memories.
If you are wanting to learn more about the process of building a DIY outdoor fireplace, visit us online at Backyard Flare. We know that you can do it and that we can help. A construction plan may be exactly what you need to overcome the fear of building so you can DIY too. Thanks so much for reading and we hope to hear from you soon. Leave a comment and let us know if you think you’re up for a DIY project.
How Much $$$ Can Be Saved?
Backyard Renovation Pricing
Backyard Flare is dedicated to helping our customers. We want you to have as much information as possible before you step into a backyard addition. We want you to understand backyard renovation pricing. One question I get quite often from inquisitive DIYers is how much money can be saved by not using a contractor to build an outdoor fireplace. With this question, there is no “one” answer and the savings, albeit a guarantee, cannot be exactly quantified. There are costs that will be a surety, such as labor, but each contractor bills a little bit different. There is no exact savings amount, other than saying a lot, unless you have an itemized quote from a contractor that you then compare to what you will spend.
Now let’s break this down a step further. Most contractors do an excellent job and I believe you will get your fireplace built if you choose to go the route of a contractor to get it done. I can’t step on the back-breaking work that they perform day in and day out. It’s a tiring business for sure and they definitely deserve a pat on the back and some kudos.
Backyard Renovation Pricing
Having said that, you may be wondering about how contractors bill for jobs. If you have elicited the work of a contractor for anything in the past, you will notice that some will give you a written estimate and others will come over and throw a monetary figure at you after looking at the building area for a few minutes.
A written estimate is better for you, provided it is broken down into independent materials and labor costs. This will tell you roughly what they think the materials will cost with their slight mark up. Most contractors will make a few dollars on materials as well, with the understanding that they had to go load them, deliver them, and then unload them at your worksite. It’s a lot of work so it’s an okay upcharge, I guess.
Tactics and More Tactics
The contractors that throw out a price with no explanation of materials and labor make me smile. These contractors are betting that you will jump at the offer and that you won’t throw up any objection. Long and short, they don’t want you to know the breakdown of the profit they are making. It’s okay to haggle and negotiate too. Remember, this is your backyard, and they will be working for you. You dictate whether they leave each day with trash all over the place and you will be watching them while they finish the build.
These two quotation methods from contractors drastically differ but both are widely used. Some that don’t write the job estimate are good at what they do and will provide a breakdown if asked to. Just remember that you will probably be a bit shocked at how much contractors will charge for labor. It will make up the majority of the quote. It’s a good living for company owners, believe me on that one.
So What Do You Do?
So, you have an option. Either go with a contractor or elect to try to build the fireplace with your own two hands. This is where the music is queued, and we emerge at the top of a hill with a DIY construction plan. We swoop down to your backyard and hand it to you, and then we stand off to the side, waiting for questions while you build. The trailer for the movie seems so awesome, but deep down we know that the movie will probably never be made. I guess we’ll stick to creating the construction plans and to our design work.
We Think DIY is the Best Build Decision
Enough already… we have more explanation to get back to. When you build yourself, the labor that contractors charge won’t be an issue. There won’t be a subtraction from your bank account for labor as you’ll be the labor force behind the entire build. This shouldn’t scare you either. We have had a lot of customers who have done amazing at building their own fireplaces and they have never worked with mortar or block.
Jason’s DIY Pima II outdoor fireplace is built and ready to go.
One such customer, Jason, sent us pictures of his DIY Pima II outdoor fireplace to share. After sharing them on our Instagram page, we asked him some pricing questions about his DIY build. Jason replied, “I got quotes for $7k-$9k to build this exact plan and I built it for $1,600-$1,800. Two easy weekends with my dad. It was super easy with your step by step guide. I’m a banker by trade so I’ve never done concrete block work ever.”
We’re so happy that Jason had a great experience and that’s an amazing savings of at least $5,200. That’s a lot of money still in Jason’s bank account and the best part is it sounds like he really had a good time with his dad while building the fireplace. Backyard renovation pricing wasn’t a big deal to Jason because he opted to save the money and pay sweat equity instead.
We’re Here to Help
Jason’s DIY Pima II outdoor fireplace is so inviting with a gorgeous fire.
Think about that when you contemplate your options. Building your own DIY outdoor fireplace doesn’t have to be stressful or worrisome. We have what you need to walk you through the process of a DIY outdoor fireplace. Visit us at www.backyardflare.com for great design ideas and information. We can help you with a great layout and will work with you personally to ensure you have the information you need to comfortably move forward in the DIY construction world. Build with one of our DIY construction plans and let us worry about the logistics of the design. You simply have fun and marvel at what your hard work. Thank you so much for reading and as always… happy building.
Relaxing by the DIY gas fireplace during a dinner party.
The other day, my wife and I attended a dinner party at the home of a previous fireplace and pizza oven customer. We were able to spend some time outside enjoying the fireplace and just the awesomeness of the backyard. Homeowner Tom helped me build this structure, so this is technically a DIY build in a sense. Tom learned a lot and he was able to add lots of great value while we had a blast constructing his masterpiece.
Massive Structure Size
What an amazing and welcoming space in this backyard.
There is so much to his fireplace and pizza oven structure. To get started, the whole circular structure is a whopping 31 feet in diameter. It’s massive to say the least. It surrounds a seven-foot-wide natural gas fireplace. Inside the four-foot-wide firebox is an “H” pipe covered with bright red fire glass. The fire glass color is great because, if you look closely at the picture, it turns blueish purple when it heats up. Such a great look.
Fireplace is 7′ wide with the gas “H” pipe covered in red fire glass.
The front of the fireplace is covered with a great stone veneer and the remainder of the structure was stuccoed to match the texture on Tom’s house. The seating is all smoothed flagstone cut to match the curvature of the seat back wall. On the hearth, there are several low voltage lights that add that extra something. It looks amazing every night, whether there is a fire blazing away or not.
Pizza Anyone?
What an amazing backyard for parties and even some quiet time.
The left side of the structure holds the pizza oven built around a BrickWood Ovens DIY mold. It didn’t get any easier than that mold to build around and then wait until the mortar cured. The pizza oven is covered in stucco that is painted the same color as the rest of the structure.
To the left side of the pizza oven, we added a piece of polished granite, so Tom could roll out his pizza dough and prepare his pizzas. No need to run into the house every time, the counter is right there. Seeing how much Tom and his family has used the fireplace and pizza oven makes me smile that they are building lots of great memories. The parties with family and friends are a lot of fun and the quiet nights in front of the fire are special for them too.
Conversation and drinks around the DIY outdoor gas fireplace.
Check us Out
The view of the Tucson valley from this backyard is amazing.
If the idea of a fireplace and pizza oven sounds like something you would want to step into, there is a great place to go, Backyard Flare. You can look through the great design ideas and also figure out what you want in your backyard. Big or small, every fireplace structure looks great. We want you to begin living in your backyard again. What better way to start than by building your own fireplace and pizza oven?
If you have any questions about anything, please let me know. I am always excited to hear from a fellow DIYer, or someone wanting to learn. You can certainly do it yourself and beautify your backyard space. I can be reached at dan@backyardflare.com and as I always say, “Happy Building”.
Welcome back my fellow DIY’ers and welcome to this edition of, “That Awesome DIY Fireplace” where we introduce a DIY homeowner, tell you what state they reside in, and show you how awesome they were at building their own outdoor fireplace. This one is awesome to say the least.
John’s completed DIY Outdoor Fireplace in GA
Who is Our Contestant?
Let’s go to the southeast, beautiful Georgia to be precise, to introduce homeowner John. John had a bare space out his backdoor that needed a little sprucing up. After checking out the construction plans at www.backyardflare.com, John decided to build the Pima II outdoor fireplace, and he purchased the plans.
Getting Started
Getting ready to pour a concrete slab for the outdoor fireplace.
John had to clear a grassy area to get ready for the footprint slab to be poured. Once he mapped out the positioning of the fireplace, John excavated the area and did his ground prep. John built a wooden frame and added gravel and steel beneath the concrete. After pouring the concrete, he removed the wood, and he had his footprint slab ready for some mortar and block to be stacked.
Concrete slab is ready for cinder block.
John spent the next few days building the cinder block structure, following the construction plans to a tee. John paid attention to detail with the mortar gaps and even though he hadn’t done much block work, he built beautifully.
First row of cinder blocks are down.
Firebox was established for John’s DIY outdoor fireplace.
When John was getting the cinder block structure finished he began thinking about his finish material. John added his firebrick to the inside of the firebox without mortar gaps between them. He took the recommendation of Backyard Flare and used high heat construction adhesive to adhere the firebrick to the firebox walls.
The work site was super busy with lots going on. Veneer was like a jigsaw puzzle, finding the perfect piece for each spot.
Finishing the DIY Fireplace
John finished with his fireplace and he cleaned up the work site. Anticipation for the first fire!
John picked out a great veneer with a dark tone. The chimney and hearth portions were covered first, with the keystone added just above the firebox, centered. The seating material was adhered to the top of the hearth with matching grout, before the center section of the fireplace was covered with veneer. The mantel was stuccoed for texture and the top of the chimney was adorned with a very cool cap stone.
Adding the Small Touches
John added veneer to the whole structure giving it a really nice 360 degree look. It looks amazing from all angles.
Dark colored mulch was spread all the way around the fireplace and up to the edge of the very green grass. Two planters were added to the sides of the structure, which will probably have great looking flowers in them someday.
John’s first fire in his DIY outdoor fireplace. He is so proud that he did it himself.
John’s completed DIY Outdoor Fireplace in GA
John bought a very decorative fire grate and added a few logs to it in anticipation of his first burn. Oh, and what a beautiful sight it was when John started his first blaze. He was so excited to share these pictures because he wanted to show off his DIY labor and show that it was possible to build it yourself.
Want to Build A Fireplace of Your Own?
We sure hope you like John’s fireplace and that it inspires you to think about one of these fireplaces in your backyard as well. It’s really not out of reach to achieve a stunning outdoor living space. John believes that if he can do it, anyone can do it. If you have the DIY mindset, we can help you achieve greatness. We have assisted hundreds of homeowners who are weekend DIY’ers, realize their potential to build fireplaces just like John’s, so you can do it too. Visit Backyard Flare to learn more so you can begin your journey too.
Thanks so much for reading about another great DIY fireplace build. We’ll bring you more soon, and as always …happy building.
