Adding a fireplace or fire pit to your outdoor space adds warmth and ambience and gives you the option to use the space all year round, not just in the warmer months.

There are lots of options for adding heating to your outdoor areas, but if you can make it work, an outdoor fireplace is the ideal solution. Outdoor Fireplaces are available in both gas and wood models, and while they do require proper installation, the payback in terms of the overall look, what it adds to your al fresco area in terms of design and ambience, as well as the added value it brings to your home, makes it well and truly worth it. Plus – they are great to warm up in front of.

Read on to learn about the outdoor heating options available, some of the advantages and disadvantages of each and some inspirational installation and design ideas.

Outdoor Fireplace Inspiration

When you are looking at outdoor fireplace options, one of your first choices is choosing between whether you would prefer a wood or gas fireplace. Let’s talk about wood fireplaces first. There is really nothing better than a roaring wood fire – the smell, the crackle & hiss of the fire, being able to toast marshmallows, sitting around an open fire outdoors creates special memories.

Achieving this though does take a little more effort – you'll either need a proper built-in chimney to sit your firebox into; or depending on the model you choose there are zero clearance units available that only require a timber frame and fueling. This will ensure that there is no chance of creating a fire hazard. Of course, a real wood fire also means that you’ll need to source firewood, need to light the fire, and clean up afterwards. But truly – there is nothing better.

Outdoor Gas Fires

So if you love the look of the open fire and flames flickering, but are a little less sold on the idea of lighting your own fire, then a gas fireplace is perfect for you. Gas fireplaces give you nearly the entire ambience of an open wood fire – soft light, flickering flames, but they are super convenient.

A gas fire can be flicked on with the click of a button, they heat up fast, and there’s no mess to clean up. Of course they are perfect for bringing people together, and add ambience and a focal point to your outdoor space. Plus they are slightly more straightforward to install – units like the Horizon Patio Gas Fire don’t require flu or a chimney for installation, although they will need to be built into a surround.

Outdoor Gas Fire Pits

If you’re looking for an outdoor heating option that doesn’t involve as much installation or construction as a wood or gas fireplace, and has the option of being moved around more readily, then a gas fire pit might be better for you. These gas fire pits allow you to build it into where ever suits - you can get creative and build it into a unit on wheels or a table.

Gas fire pits are super convenient – both to install and to use. Gas Fire pits can either be connected directly to your natural gas supply by a qualified gas plumber or you can run off bottled LPG.

Gas Fire pits can be used in an undercover al fresco area without any fueling. They don’t give off smoke and are easy to turn on and off, giving instant warmth and ambience to a space, and you don’t need to worry about keeping wood dry.

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