Anyone have an outdoor fireplace?

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aquabliss

aquabliss

Well-known member
I'm starting my backyard landscaping and we're putting in a rather large (12' long by 5'10" tall) fireplace in the backyard. 

Note that this is FirePLACE not FirePIT.

My contractor is saying that this will be a "ventless" fireplace so there will be no openings on the top or the sides for air to travel out.  He said it's not an issue at all since this is gas burning, there should be no sparks/embers/etc. just a flame.

This makes sense but still seems a bit odd that all that heat will just gather at the top of the fireplace with no place to escape or dissipate. 

He mentioned if I want a vent in the top he can put it, but for aesthetics he suggests not to do so.  I'd rather not do it if it won't be an issue, but wanted to see if anyone here has a fireplace like this without a vent and any regrets on not putting one.

The design will be a simple design, similar to this:
t8k7yw.jpg
 
Seems like the opening itself is big enough for the heat to escape without additional venting.
 
Hmmmm good point, maybe the opening is closed to the top where the opening stops.  For some reason I would think (inside) it would be open to the top but would not vent, trapping all the heat in the top to "bake". 
 
We were thinking of doing a similar fireplace on one opening side of our covered patio. May I know around how much they are charging you to put that outdoor fireplace in?
 
AQMD successfully passed legislation to amend all local building codes that all fireplaces could not vent smoke through the chimney flue. All wood burning fireplaces are outlawed except for those in existing homes. New fireplaces are sealed tight with glass with direct vent. They are absolutely useless other than a visual heater with some token flame and generate virtually no heat therefore no venting required.
 
Paris said:
We were thinking of doing a similar fireplace on one opening side of our covered patio. May I know around how much they are charging you to put that outdoor fireplace in?
Click to expand...

Crazy expensive but it's a really huge size fireplace.  I got quotes from $8k to $12k. My contractors price for the fireplace was about in the middle.  He's done a lot of them.

Not cheap but it's going to be the focal point of our backyard, when you look from the living room through the slider you'll look right at the fireplace.

In retrospect I probably should have done a modern firepit of similar length for probably half the price.
 
irvinehomeshopper said:
I hope you are not building one like this because it is beyond ugly!
Click to expand...

It will be similar but I'm not using these materials.  I actually like the simple style of a square rectangular box with a hearth beneath. 

I'll have an 8ft long flame inside the fireplace and yes it's mostly for visual purpose.  I don't expect to go outside to warm up.
 
aquabliss said:
I'm starting my backyard landscaping and we're putting in a rather large (12' long by 5'10" tall) fireplace in the backyard. 

Note that this is FirePLACE not FirePIT.

My contractor is saying that this will be a "ventless" fireplace so there will be no openings on the top or the sides for air to travel out.  He said it's not an issue at all since this is gas burning, there should be no sparks/embers/etc. just a flame.

This makes sense but still seems a bit odd that all that heat will just gather at the top of the fireplace with no place to escape or dissipate. 

He mentioned if I want a vent in the top he can put it, but for aesthetics he suggests not to do so.  I'd rather not do it if it won't be an issue, but wanted to see if anyone here has a fireplace like this without a vent and any regrets on not putting one.

The design will be a simple design, similar to this:
t8k7yw.jpg
Click to expand...

A fireplace that big reminds me of the Gates of Hell in Turkmenistan:http://s.imwx.com/dru/2013/10/71895918-5322-44a2-9674-10b1597539ae_650x366.jpg
 
aquabliss said:
Paris said:
We were thinking of doing a similar fireplace on one opening side of our covered patio. May I know around how much they are charging you to put that outdoor fireplace in?
Click to expand...

Crazy expensive but it's a really huge size fireplace.  I got quotes from $8k to $12k. My contractors price for the fireplace was about in the middle.  He's done a lot of them.

Not cheap but it's going to be the focal point of our backyard, when you look from the living room through the slider you'll look right at the fireplace.

In retrospect I probably should have done a modern firepit of similar length for probably half the price.
Click to expand...

So 10k, is that with city permit?
 
eyephone said:
aquabliss said:
Paris said:
We were thinking of doing a similar fireplace on one opening side of our covered patio. May I know around how much they are charging you to put that outdoor fireplace in?
Click to expand...

Crazy expensive but it's a really huge size fireplace.  I got quotes from $8k to $12k. My contractors price for the fireplace was about in the middle.  He's done a lot of them.

Not cheap but it's going to be the focal point of our backyard, when you look from the living room through the slider you'll look right at the fireplace.

In retrospect I probably should have done a modern firepit of similar length for probably half the price.
Click to expand...

So 10k, is that with city permit?
Click to expand...

A permit for what?  Cremation?  Because an incinerator that big could pass for Auschwitz.
 
WTTCHMN said:
eyephone said:
aquabliss said:
Paris said:
We were thinking of doing a similar fireplace on one opening side of our covered patio. May I know around how much they are charging you to put that outdoor fireplace in?
Click to expand...

Crazy expensive but it's a really huge size fireplace.  I got quotes from $8k to $12k. My contractors price for the fireplace was about in the middle.  He's done a lot of them.

Not cheap but it's going to be the focal point of our backyard, when you look from the living room through the slider you'll look right at the fireplace.

In retrospect I probably should have done a modern firepit of similar length for probably half the price.
Click to expand...

So 10k, is that with city permit?
Click to expand...

A permit for what?  Cremation?  Because an incinerator that big could pass for Auschwitz.
Click to expand...

Mechanical permit for the gas line?
 
aquabliss said:
Fireplace building started today.  I'll let you know in a couple weeks how it turned out.
Click to expand...

Exciting times, hope it turns out great.  If I remember correctly your lot size was about 5,200 sq ft.  What is your total cost for the back yard, shutters etc after move-in? less than 50k, 50 to 75K, >75K?
 
Irvine Dream said:
aquabliss said:
Fireplace building started today.  I'll let you know in a couple weeks how it turned out.
Click to expand...

Exciting times, hope it turns out great.  If I remember correctly your lot size was about 5,200 sq ft.  What is your total cost for the back yard, shutters etc after move-in? less than 50k, 50 to 75K, >75K?
Click to expand...

Lot size is 5950 sq ft. or thereabouts.  I can't comment on the total cost yet, but the yard is by far the largest expense. 
 
aquabliss said:
Irvine Dream said:
aquabliss said:
Fireplace building started today.  I'll let you know in a couple weeks how it turned out.
Click to expand...

Exciting times, hope it turns out great.  If I remember correctly your lot size was about 5,200 sq ft.  What is your total cost for the back yard, shutters etc after move-in? less than 50k, 50 to 75K, >75K?
Click to expand...

Lot size is 5950 sq ft. or thereabouts.  I can't comment on the total cost yet, but the yard is by far the largest expense.
Click to expand...

So your spending more money on the backyard versus the house upgrades? (Assuming the house you bought is new)
 
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