The fireplace has always been a symbol of home and family life. In earlier times it was the central feature in every home, where the women of the house cooked the meals, the men gathered to discuss matters of grave consequence, the parents played with their children, and where everybody huddled around, curled under their blankets, during those cold winter months.

With the advent of central heating, radiators, and radiant heat panels, the fireplace has somewhat taken a back seat. But only somewhat. Most people, if they had the space in their homes, and the money in their wallets, still prefer a fireplace. A fireplace as the centerpiece of your living room, or your patio in the backyard, with a crackling fire to keep you cozy and warm is certainly more romantic than a radiator whirring in some obscure background.

Outdoor fireplaces have become quite popular especially in recent years. If you are one of those who do not like to limit the time they spend outdoors to summertime, or those who like to watch the night stars and the moon-lit landscape from the patio in even in wintertime, an outdoor fireplace is definitely for you.

There are many designs and styles of outdoor fireplaces. Once you decide you want one, you should select which suits your tastes best. From this design or style that you choose, you, or a hired professional, can proceed to map out the plans to construct your ticket to all-year-round warm and comfortable outdoor nights with you and your family, or with your friends.

While the design gives you the general idea of how your fireplace will look like when finished, the plan provides more specific details such as the steps and procedures involved, the materials to be used as well as the actual measurements, the exact location, and orientation of the fireplace. The plan should include a complete bill of materials, an estimate of the total cost of the project, the equipment and tools needed, and a timetable of the work.

In order to avoid accidental fire, local authorities often have building codes that regulate the construction of outdoor fireplaces. You will want to be sure that your plans conform to these safety laws. In the United States, fireplaces are a major cause of house fires.

Outdoor fireplaces are often made of stone or firebrick. Sometimes, they are also made of cast iron or aluminum alloy. Your plan should indicate which of these materials will be used. Remember that there are many kinds of stones of varying colors and surfaces that you could choose from. Whichever material you choose, it should complement those used for the house.

The blueprints should specify the exact location of the fireplace, indicating how many feet should it be from the house. Its orientation and elevation must also be included. You will want to be sure that your fireplace will blend well with the design and layout of the house and other structures surrounding it.

Ventilation should also be considered in the plans. This is dictated by the type of fuel you want to use, whether wood or gas. Most wood-fed fireplaces have a tall chimney so you need not worry about smoke from the fire. Gas, of course, does not burn like wood, so smoke is less of a concern. You will, however, have to provide ventilation options for the gas to dissipate.

Your outdoor fireplace will not only warm you during wintry weather. You can also plan for it to be your grill for your cookouts. There are some ready-made fireplace grills available but you can always have one custom-made for your fireplace. This way, you can enjoy your barbeques at any time of the year.

Remember than plans and blueprints are the bridges that link your design ideas and the concrete fireplace that will warm you and cook your grilled meat or fish. You will have think them out thoroughly and meticulously. Your fireplace will only be as good as the plans.