An outdoor fireplace is a great way to turn your patio into an elegant extension of your living room. With so many attractive designs and styles to choose from, there is definitely one that will suit your taste and your home. What is perhaps more important are the nights you will be spending around the fire, even during the cold autumn and winter months huddled around it, with your family and friends watching the moon and the stars.

Outdoor fireplaces can either be portable or fixed. Portable types can be made of aluminum, copper, stainless steel, or cast-iron. Fixed fireplaces can be isolated from the rest of your building structures or attached to it. The most common materials used are bricks, clay, or stone. These may be combined with any of the materials used in the portable types for the hearth and protective screen.

Stones are the most popular choice for outdoor fireplaces because they are long-lasting and non-combustible. They do not overheat and thus prevent fire hazards. They are easy to install and clean, and they can withstand harsh weather conditions, needing only an occasional, perhaps every couple of years, coating with a stone sealant to protect them from water and other liquids.

Different types of stones can be used for your outdoors fireplace. The most common are natural stone, sandstone, slate, limestone, marble, or granite. They can also be made of cast stone or stucco. Marble and granite are rather expensive but the former offers plenty of design capabilities, while the latter virtually needs no maintenance.

You can use these stones by themselves, in combination with each, or even with other materials. There are designs that use slate in between bigger granite slabs, while others use wood or metals with any of the stones that produce unique and remarkable results.

Whichever type of stone you choose, be sure that your outdoor fireplace is in a safe area. Be especially careful if you choose to integrate it with your building. It is best to consult a professional if this is the design you want. If you want a fireplace that stands alone, be sure it is far enough from your existing buildings, and that there are no tree branches or utility lines hanging above it. You do not want accidents to ruin your nights around your fireplace.