How To Build Outdoor Fireplace With Bricks

How to Build an Outdoor Fireplace with Bricks

Building an outdoor fireplace can be a fun and rewarding project that will add value to your home and provide you with years of enjoyment. Here are the essential steps you need to take to build a brick fireplace:

Materials:

- Bricks (firebricks for the firebox and regular bricks for the exterior) - Mortar (fireplace mortar for the firebox and regular mortar for the exterior) - Sand - Gravel - Rebar - Cement board - Chimney flue and cap - Flashing - Building tools (level, trowel, hammer, chisel, etc.)

Step 1: Plan and Prepare

Determine the size and location of your fireplace. Excavate the area for the base and fill it with gravel. Tamp down the gravel to create a level surface. Install a layer of sand over the gravel and level it.

Step 2: Build the Foundation

Lay a row of bricks on the sand to form the perimeter of the fireplace. Use a level to make sure the bricks are level. Fill the interior of the perimeter with sand and tamp it down.

Step 3: Build the Firebox

Use firebricks to construct the firebox. Lay a row of firebricks on the bottom of the firebox and mortar them together. Continue adding rows of firebricks until the firebox is the desired height.

Step 4: Build the Exterior Walls

Lay a row of bricks around the firebox to form the exterior walls. Use regular mortar to bond the bricks together. Continue adding rows of bricks until the walls are the desired height.

Step 5: Install the Chimney Flue

Place the chimney flue in the center of the firebox. Secure the flue to the firebricks with mortar.

Step 6: Install the Chimney Cap

Install the chimney cap on top of the flue. Secure the cap with mortar.

Step 7: Flash the Fireplace

Install flashing around the base of the chimney to prevent water from leaking into the fireplace.

Step 8: Build the Hearth

Lay a row of bricks in front of the fireplace to form the hearth. Use regular mortar to bond the bricks together.

Step 9: Finish the Fireplace

Apply a layer of mortar to the exterior of the fireplace and smooth it out. Let the mortar cure for several days before using the fireplace.

Safety Tips:

- Always wear gloves and safety glasses when working with bricks and mortar. - Never use treated wood for the fireplace. - Keep the fireplace away from flammable materials. - Never leave a fire unattended.