Fire Pit vs. Outdoor Fireplace : Choosing the Best Fit for your Backyard

As far as hardscape backyard design goes, adding a fire feature to your outdoor living space can add some of the most drama and versatility. Both outdoor fire pits and fireplaces can add extra warmth and light to make for the perfect nighttime events that extend through summer and on into the colder months. The question is, which one should you choose? To answer that, it is important to understand the similarities and differences between the two backyard fire features so that you can determine which one will serve you and your landscaping design purposes the best.

Similarities

Backyard fire pits and fireplaces both share a similar aesthetic and functionality. Both provide warmth and light and invite feelings of relaxation with their romantic, cosy aesthetic.  In terms of maintenance and safety, both require similar amounts of cleaning to make sure they stay in good shape. And both of course require supervision when little kids are around (a fireplace or fire pit screen might help keep little fingers from turning the fire soot into a makeshift sandbox). 

Differences

Outdoor fireplaces are a permanent hardscaping design feature. Built with a chimney and a smoke ventilation firebox, they can either be attached to your home or built into your custom deck or patio. Homeowners with large backyards often choose a fireplace over a fire pit because they can service bigger crowds and incorporate other amenities like fireplace tools. Because they are higher off the ground, they also tend to be a bit easier to keep kids safe around and therefore become the obvious choice for families wanting to do a residential hardscaping installation. 

On the other hand, outdoor fire pits tend to be much smaller than outdoor fireplaces. They make for more intimate and casual gatherings and are perfect for roasting marshmallows or just relaxing for an evening chat. They are also lower to the ground, meaning that they won’t obstruct the view to the rest of your yard, while a fireplace might (although if you are looking for more backyard privacy, this might actually be an added bonus). Keep in mind that the depth and width of a fire pit is completely customizable.

Therefore choosing between these two hardscaping ideas depends on whether you have a larger backyard, little children, a need for added outdoor privacy or a desire to serve large crowds. Either way, a adding a fire feature to your backyard can add so much more usability to your outdoor space. Call us at Bella Vista landscape to talk about your landscaping ideas! You can also check out our gallery to get more ideas on landscaping installation projects.