Winter is here and what could be a better way to spend some chilly evenings on your patio by a toasty fire? You will need your patio contractor to help you with it, but you need to decide if you need a fire place or a fire pit. Here is everything you need to know about for selecting between an outdoor fireplace and a fire pit.

Outdoor Fire Pit

These things are what you must know about an outdoor fire pit.

Why Choose An Outdoor Pit?

More aesthetically Pleasing

A fire pit is just more pleasing to the eye than any other construction. A fire pit is usually open from all sides and has a circular or square shape. It can be fabricated into any shape your heart desires and it’s versatile when it comes to designs.

This is one of the reasons why people fall in love with the appearance of the fire pit because it’s just absolutely breathtaking.

Adds Value To Your House

If you didn’t know this already, a fire pit can be a two-for-one. It can not only keep you nice and toasty and fight off that winter chill, but it can also add value to your house once you go ahead and sell it.

Potential buyers will prefer your house because your house comes with a fire pit installed and they will try their best that the deal goes to them for which some of them will be willing to pay extra.

It’s Inexpensive

A fire pit is a generally easy construction if you compare it with an outdoor fireplace and this is why it doesn’t cost a lot either when get it installed in your backyard or any other outdoor space. The cost of a fire pit is anywhere between $700 to $1500 and that’s a steal as compared to other similar constructions.

You can also have any shape, design or addition added to the fire pit in the same price range and it will certainly look like a rustic thing of beauty.

Downsides Of Having An Outdoor Fire Pit

More Dangerous

A fire pit is an open space, surrounded by cinder blocks and wood veneer, so while the aesthetics are definitely to die for, you want to be careful around the actual open fire because that can be extremely dangerous. Moreover, in case it’s a windy day, the embers fly about randomly and are dangerous.

Open fires are a huge hazard and you want to be mindful of the fact that the fire needs to be controlled if it’s getting too hot or the wind is picking up speed. So, you must follow the safety practices to make sure the fire serves you without becoming dangerous.

You Need More Space

Since a fire pit is open and it also has all of its sides exposed, it’s going to give you warmth from every part the 360-degree border. However, to build a reasonably sized fire pit, you’re also going to need ample space for it.

If you have a small backyard, then you can’t make a fire pit work because it’s just going to be too big for your small space and everything will be thrown off balance. So, it’s better if you opt for something else if you have a smaller outdoor space.

Outdoor Fireplace

Why Choose An Outdoor Fireplace?

It’s Safer

A fireplace, whether it’s inside or out, is a lot safer than a fire pit. The base of the fireplace can be open and exposed, and it can also come with a shielding door that’s going to keep the small embers inside and there will be no worry about hazards or the place being lit up in flames when compared to a fire pit.

A lot of the time, a fireplace can also come with a glass enclosure so that you can see the fire, but it’s also going to stay confined in one place. However, outdoor fireplaces usually don’t have those.

A Variety Of Designs Are Available

If you think a fire pit is more versatile in design, then you can forget about the variety that fireplaces have to offer. Fireplaces can be made in a variety of designs and the mantle can be customized according to your liking and the material selection can also be decided.

There are plenty of designs in which a fireplace can grace the outdoor space. You will probably get confused by the sheer number of ideas that are available for your preference and you will find something that will resonate with your personality and your backyard. So, it’s better to get down to selecting the design right away because it can take you a while.

Perfect For Smaller Spaces

An outdoor fireplace is quite compact and quaint and you don’t need a lot of space to have it installed. This is an amazing idea because people have smaller backyards and they don’t want to give up on the pleasure of spending their evenings in that space, just because they can’t come up with a way to keep the place warm.

So, there’s no need for you to skip the idea altogether when you can go for a fireplace that is going to fit into your small space and make it even more cozy.

Downsides Of Having An Outdoor Fireplace

More Expensive Than A Fire Pit

A fireplace, as amazing as it is, can be a bit more on the expensive side when it comes to building and installing. It’s not as straightforward as a fire pit and there is a lot of construction involved as well, like the mantle and base being prepared, the chute of the chimney, and the flue lining of the chimney to keep the exhaust gasses at bay. All of these things combined are going to cost you much more than a fire pit.

Requires More Maintenance

A fireplace is a bit heavier on the maintenance side of things as compared to a fire pit. There is creosote build-up and soot deposition that needs to be cleaned every so often, otherwise the chimney can burst into flames and that’s a different level of fire hazard. So, if you want to commit to getting a fireplace for your outdoor space, then you better maintain it as well.

It’s Not As Hot

A fire pit is open from all sides, giving all of the guests equal warmth, but the same can’t be said about a fireplace. A fireplace is just going to give immediate warmth to the people sitting in front of it and the rest of the people on the sides will not nearly be as cozy.

So, it’s a bummer that a fireplace isn’t as fun as a fire pit. This is also what makes it a no-go for a lot of people for whom a 360 degrees warmth is a priority.

Conclusion

Fire pits and fireplaces have their own merits and demerits, but the final decision is ultimately up to you. This guide will make things easier for you. If you’re still confused and can’t make the decision whether an outdoor fireplace is right for you or a fire pit, you can take your queries to an outdoor fireplace builder Long Island. They will note your preferences and take a look at your backyard to give you a good suggestion.