Research
Decorative Concrete

Applications

Staining Concrete

Stamped Concrete

Concrete Overlays

Concrete Resurfacing

Concrete Polishing

Concrete Dyes

Colored Concrete

Indoor Concrete

Concrete Floors

Garage Floor Coatings

Concrete Countertops

Fireplaces, Sinks & Furniture

Basement Floors

Radiant Floor Heating

Outdoor Concrete

Concrete Patios

Concrete Driveways

Concrete Pool Decks

Outdoor Kitchens & Counters

Outdoor Fireplace

Concrete Walkways

Concrete Pavers

Concrete Walls

Repair & Maintenance

Foundation Repair

Concrete Crack Repair

Basement Wall Repair

Building with Concrete

Concrete Homes

Concrete Basements

Decorative Concrete

Outdoor Fireplace Design Criteria

Chimney Considerations

Find a Local Concrete Contractor

Wood burning outdoor fireplaces create a lot of smoke. Code requires that chimney height be 2 feet taller than adjacent structures like patio covers and homes, so plan accordingly.

Getting a fireplace to draw properly outdoors has its challenges. Indoors you control the air flow and fireplace chimneys draw easily due to buoyancy (action of the hot smoke rising in the flue because it weighs less than cool air). Outdoors the slightest wind can downdraft your fireplace and force smoke forward of the hearth. To reduce this, a "smoke shelf" must be designed into all wood burning fireplaces, your flue sizing must be calculated properly, and chimney height must be tall enough to encourage proper draw.

Hot Tip!
Do the math! Pay close attention to sizing charts that dictate proper proportion of firebox opening and flue size requirements.

Return to Outdoor Fireplaces