Okay, let’s get started. I’ve always wanted a nice outdoor fireplace, you know, the kind you see in magazines. So, I decided, why not build one myself? And I’m gonna share the whole messy, brick-by-brick process with you all.
Planning and Prep
First things first, I picked a spot in my backyard. Made sure it was far enough away from the house, trees, anything that could catch fire. Safety first, people!
Then came the not-so-fun part: checking local building codes. Turns out, there are rules about how big it can be, how far from property lines, the whole nine yards. Gotta make sure everything’s legit, so some research and some paperwork.
Next,I designed the fireplace. I went for a simple, classic rectangular shape. No fancy curves or anything, ’cause, honestly, I’m no expert * kept sketching with some paper until I got the look.
Gathering Supplies
Time to hit the home improvement store! Here’s the main stuff I grabbed:
- Bricks: Lots of ’em. I went with regular red clay bricks.
- Mortar mix: This is the “glue” that holds the bricks together.
- Firebricks: These are special bricks for the inside of the firebox, ’cause they can handle the heat.
- Gravel: For the foundation.
- Sand: Also for the foundation, and to mix with the mortar.
- Concrete blocks: Some folks might use these for the inner structure, but I stuck with mostly bricks.
- Tools: Trowel, level, shovel, wheelbarrow, brick hammer, that kind of thing.
Building the Foundation
This part was a bit back-breaking. I dug out a pit, a little bigger than the fireplace footprint, and about a foot deep. Then, I dumped in gravel, spread it around, and tamped it down really well. This makes a solid base so the fireplace doesn’t sink or crack later on.
On top of the gravel, I poured a layer of sand and leveled it out. This gives the bricks a nice, even surface to sit on.
Laying the Bricks
Here’s where the real fun (and frustration) began. I mixed up the mortar according to the instructions on the bag. It’s gotta be like peanut butter, not too runny, not too stiff.
Then, I started laying the bricks, one row at a time. I spread a layer of mortar on the foundation, set the first brick, tapped it into place with the trowel handle, and then did the same for the next brick. The key is to keep everything level and straight.I used my level constantly, checking both horizontally and vertically.
I built up the walls of the fireplace, leaving an opening at the front for the * the firebox itself, I used those firebricks.
The Chimney
Once the main part of the fireplace was up, I started on the chimney. It’s basically just a continuation of the walls, getting narrower as it goes up. I made sure to stagger the bricks, so the seams didn’t line up, for extra strength.
And make sure there’s enough space for smoke flowing up.
Finishing Touches
After all the bricks were laid, I let the mortar cure for a few days.Then, I went back and cleaned up any excess mortar with a brush and some water.
The First Fire!
Finally, the moment of truth! I built a small fire in the firebox, just to test it * guess what? It worked! The smoke went up the chimney, and I had a cozy little fire going.
Building a brick outdoor fireplace is a lot of work, but it’s totally doable. And the feeling of accomplishment when you’re sitting by your own handmade fireplace? Priceless.
