Help with outdoor fireplace design

blk94f150 · 02-12-2012, 09:12 PM

I'm planning to build an outdoor fireplace in the next year and I have some questions.

The main structure will be concrete block with fire brick for the fire box. We want the exterior to be stone with a dry stacked look. Not sure if we'll be using something pretty regular like a landscaping stone or not. Anyway, I was wondering how to affix them to the block structure? Just mortar on the backside. I live in an area that goes through freeze/thaw cycles so I'm worried about ice forming in the joints and cracking everything.

Also, should I build a foundation below the frost line or just do a 4 inch pad? It will be built off of a paver patio so a little movement isn't the end of the world.

wrooster · 02-14-2012, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blk94f150

I'm planning to build an outdoor fireplace in the next year and I have some questions.

For some firepit ideas, check out the Project Showcase forum. It seems like every tenth thread is a firepit, so scroll through the pages or run a forum search on "firepit":
http://www.diychatroom.com/f49/

For example, you'll turn up this drystack design:

Old outdoor fireplace rehab'd to a firepit...

Wrooster

sdsester · 02-22-2012, 12:10 PM

Are you building a fire pit or a fireplace. If a fireplace, what is going to be behind it? Or is it to be freestanding?

Can you do a quick sketch of the footprint? I use Sweet Home 3D for such things and it is free and open source. Others on this site like SketchUp. Even a quick pencil sketch with anticipated dimensions and position relative to structures would help.

jomama45 · 02-26-2012, 01:18 PM

How the "stone" is affixed to the block depends on exactly what material you're using. Cultured or natural thin veneer can indeed be applied with plain mortar, possibly with a little bonding agent.

As for frost protection, there's no guarantee it will last w/o frost-protected footings, but it would help to know where you're located........

jacksander · 02-29-2012, 09:08 AM

I also want to add a little color to by backyard, that is why I want to build a fire pit and maybe a pizza oven. You should check this guides I've found on the internet, maybe you'll add a brick dome.

pizza oven photos

outdoor pizza oven

small pizza oven

Maybe they aren't what you're looking for, but I think it's better to see some examples before deciding your final design.

reachout · 10-01-2012, 10:48 PM

Let me know if my website about stone fire pit can help. Please check out my website at: ----------

02-12-2012, 09:12 PM	#1
blk94f150 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 15	Help with outdoor fireplace design I'm planning to build an outdoor fireplace in the next year and I have some questions. The main structure will be concrete block with fire brick for the fire box. We want the exterior to be stone with a dry stacked look. Not sure if we'll be using something pretty regular like a landscaping stone or not. Anyway, I was wondering how to affix them to the block structure? Just mortar on the backside. I live in an area that goes through freeze/thaw cycles so I'm worried about ice forming in the joints and cracking everything. Also, should I build a foundation below the frost line or just do a 4 inch pad? It will be built off of a paver patio so a little movement isn't the end of the world.

02-22-2012, 12:10 PM	#3
sdsester Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 8,919	Help with outdoor fireplace design Are you building a fire pit or a fireplace. If a fireplace, what is going to be behind it? Or is it to be freestanding? Can you do a quick sketch of the footprint? I use Sweet Home 3D for such things and it is free and open source. Others on this site like SketchUp. Even a quick pencil sketch with anticipated dimensions and position relative to structures would help. Last edited by sdsester; 02-22-2012 at 12:12 PM.

02-26-2012, 01:18 PM	#4
jomama45 Concrete & Masonry Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,317	Help with outdoor fireplace design How the "stone" is affixed to the block depends on exactly what material you're using. Cultured or natural thin veneer can indeed be applied with plain mortar, possibly with a little bonding agent. As for frost protection, there's no guarantee it will last w/o frost-protected footings, but it would help to know where you're located........

02-29-2012, 09:08 AM	#5
jacksander Newbie Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 4	Help with outdoor fireplace design I also want to add a little color to by backyard, that is why I want to build a fire pit and maybe a pizza oven. You should check this guides I've found on the internet, maybe you'll add a brick dome. pizza oven photos outdoor pizza oven small pizza oven Maybe they aren't what you're looking for, but I think it's better to see some examples before deciding your final design.

10-01-2012, 10:48 PM	#6
reachout Newbie Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 4	Help with outdoor fireplace design Let me know if my website about stone fire pit can help. Please check out my website at: ---------- Last edited by Gary in WA; 10-01-2012 at 11:05 PM. Reason: Web link belongs under your signature line.

Help with outdoor fireplace design