Outdoor Fireplaces, Fire Pits & Fire Features

Fireplaces & Fire Pits

Both outdoor fireplaces and fire pits can enhance your outdoor living space, but they offer different benefits and have distinct characteristics. Here’s a comparison to help you decide which might be better for your needs:

Fireplaces

1. Aesthetic Appeal: Outdoor fireplaces often have a more elegant and refined appearance, which can enhance the overall look of your outdoor space. They can be designed to match the architectural style of your home.

2. Heat Output: Fireplaces generally provide more consistent and effective heat compared to fire pits, making them suitable for cooler evenings and extending your outdoor enjoyment into colder months.

3. Wind Protection: The structure of a fireplace provides better protection from wind, directing the heat and smoke upwards and away from your seating area.

4. Smoke Control: With a chimney or flue, outdoor fireplaces typically manage smoke better, reducing smoke exposure for those around the fire.

5. Safety: Fireplaces are generally safer in terms of controlling the fire and preventing sparks from flying out, which can be particularly important if you have children or pets.

6. Additional Features: Some outdoor fireplaces come with built-in features such as pizza ovens, shelves, or even seating areas, offering more versatility.

Fire Pits

1. Cost-Effective: Fire pits are usually more affordable than outdoor fireplaces, both in terms of initial cost and installation.

2. Social Interaction: Fire pits often create a more communal and informal atmosphere, with seating arranged around the pit allowing for easier conversation and interaction.

3. Portability: Some fire pits are portable or come in modular designs, allowing you to move them around or even take them with you if you move.

4. Variety: Fire pits come in various styles, materials, and fuel types (wood, gas, propane), offering a wide range of choices to fit your preferences and budget.

5. Simplicity: Fire pits generally have a simpler design and are easier to set up and maintain compared to outdoor fireplaces.

6. Flexibility: If you enjoy DIY projects, building a custom fire pit can be a fun and rewarding project that allows for personalization and creativity.

If you prioritize aesthetics, heat output, and smoke control, an outdoor fireplace might be the better choice. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, social, and versatile, a fire pit could be the way to go. Consider your space, budget, and how you plan to use the fire feature to make the best decision for your outdoor area.

Fire Features

In landscape design, a fire feature is any installation or element that incorporates fire to enhance the outdoor living experience. These features can serve both functional and aesthetic purposes, creating a focal point in your garden or patio and offering warmth, light, and ambiance. Besides fireplaces and fire pits, some other common types of fire features include: fire bowls, fire tables, fire walls, fire features in water elements, fire columns, and torches.

After comparing top Phoenix landscaping design & build companies, we decided to go with OLC. My project was very complex involving a complete re-design of our back yard. This included a new installation of a pool baja shelf, custom fire feature, new pool tile & surface, new pool decking tile, and installation of a massive outside living area that included a lounge area, gas BBQ, Green Egg, sink and refrigeration. Their attention to quality was impressive across every aspect of the project. I'm an extremely detalied person and OLC was accommodating letting me be an active part of the process. Curt, Reid and the crew provided consistent communication along the way - especially when any problems surfaced. They exceeded our expectations and we couldn't be happier with the final result. We absolutely love our back yard!

Outside Living Concepts, Curt, was fantastic. Excellent communication & more importantly a great product at the end. Couldn't be happier definitely would use them again!

I recently had the pleasure of working with Outside Living Concepts for a landscaping project, and I couldn’t be more impressed. From the initial consultation to the final touches, their professionalism and dedication were evident. The team arrived on time each day and worked swiftly, completing the job ahead of schedule. The quality of their work was impeccable—my yard looks fantastic! What truly stood out was their outstanding customer service. They were always responsive, attentive to my requests, and provided valuable suggestions to enhance the project. Their commitment to maintaining a clean worksite was also noteworthy, leaving no mess behind. Overall, Outside Living Concepts exceeded my expectations in every way. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable and skilled landscaping team.

We hired Outside Living Concepts (OLC) twice! First was three years ago to design and complete our new home's front and back yard. Boy did they nail it! A few months ago, we met with designer, Corbin Keiper, who was patient and kind and listened to our ideas and made them a reality. Corbin was great about suggestions and why he suggested something and in most cases we went with his suggestion which complimented our plans. The employees hired by OLC were prompt, hard workers and always friendly. We love our new covered BBQ, smoker area and pizza oven area. We will definitely hire OLC for our third project...whenever we figure out what that is 🙂

We contracted with Outside Living Concepts (OLC) in December 2023 after receiving pricing from 6 contractors. What set OLC apart from the competition was their design and willingness to work with us. Reid Havens was our contact throughout the entire project. Whenever we had a question, Reid answered immediately. He came to the site multiple times to check on the progress and quality of work. We know many contractors will give you a low estimate to get their foot in the door, then charge you extra for everything. That was NOT our experience. The final price we paid was the original price quoted. The quality of the work is outstanding! As my wife said, it’s everything we hoped it would be. We have received rave reviews from our friends and neighbors who have seen our new outdoor kitchen. Do yourself a favor and give Outside Living Concepts an opportunity to quote your project.