An outdoor fireplace is always a great addition to any home. It can provide you with warm cozy nights under the moon and the stars even during the cold months. You can have a lot fun cooking out with your family and friends. And of course, it adds value to your home.

If you decide you want to have your own fireplace in your backyard, and you opt for the fixed version, the next thing you will have to consider is its design and style. It can either be a stand-alone version, or one that is incorporated with another structure. You will also need to choose the type of fuel it will use, whether wood, gas, or propane. Identify, too, the exact location where you want your fireplace. The materials with which to build it should be chosen before any work starts. One final decision is whether you will build your fireplace yourself, or hire a contractor to do it for you.

If you go for the former, your next step is to draw up your plans, perhaps with the help of a professional, for the fireplace. An alternative is to purchase fireplace kits available in hardware stores. These kits contain all the needed materials along with a set of detailed instructions on how to put them together. Next, you will have to pay a visit to the local authorities. Most counties and municipalities have building codes regulating the construction of houses including fireplaces. Indeed, there are local authorities that actually ban outdoor wood-burning types. Verify if your plans conform to local ordinances, otherwise you will have to revise your plans.

Once you have complied with the legal requirements, you can proceed to build your fireplace. If you are building from dirt, you will need to do some ground-leveling. Remove all weeds or any other vegetation and cover the area with a compact layer of gravel, at least three inches thick.

On top of this, build the base with bricks, or, if you are using stones, the largest and flattest of them. Arrange the stones as close together as they could get, but if there are still gaps, use the smaller stones to fill them up. Cover the top of the base with furnace-rated mortar and, if there are any cracks be sure to seal them. If you intend to use your fireplace for cooking, use a level to ensure that food will not roll off the grill.

Using your fireproof mortar, you can now start building the walls. Stack your bricks or stones, ensuring that they are kept vertical with the help of a plumb bob. Once the walls reach four feet, go inside the walls to check for cracks. If you find any, fill and seal them with the fireproof mortar.

If you are building from a deck, be sure it can support the weight of the fireplace. And if it is made of combustible materials, install a fireproof barrier between the two. You can also add a hearth to protect the deck and a screen to keep embers from floating into the air and falling into it.

Two days after completing the job, you can begin using your brand new outdoor fireplace, and boast to your friends that you did it your way.