How to Build a Free Standing Fireplace

During the winter months, many people would still like to enjoy the outdoors but are unable to due to the cold weather. There are ways, however, that you can still enjoy being outside and not be too cold. A free standing fireplace is the perfect way to have fun outdoors with friends and family and not be miserable due to the cold.

1. Choose an area in your backyard where you would like to build your fireplace. You will want to place it in an area that has a plenty of open space around it as well as above it. This is important because even a single ember from a fire can cause a fire that could burn your entire property.


2. Dig a pit where you want to place the fireplace. The most common size for a pit is 1 foot deep and around 40 inches in diameter. You should then place large rocks or bricks around the perimeter of the pit. In most cases, you should pour sand into the bottom of the pit as an extra safety precaution.


3. Build the fireplace using specific masonry materials. You can find a number of plans for freestanding fireplaces online with instructions on how to build them. When building the firebox, you should use either firebrick or mortar along with cinder blocks for the actual fireplace. A chimney should also be created to direct the smoke upwards. The chimney should be about 10 percent the total size of the fireplace opening. It is important that you and anyone else sit several yards back to protect yourself from the flames.