Gathering around the fire–whether you’re gathering around a campfire, a traditional indoor fireplace, or an outdoor fireplace–is a relaxing activity with lots of ambiance, especially for Canadians during the winter. If you’re considering bringing a way to enjoy a cozy fire in your backyard, you’re probably weighing your options: here’s what we have to say about the debate between a fireplace and a fire pit.
Design
One of the main components that sway the fireplace vs fire pit debate is the design of both features. Depending on the size of your backyard, you may be swayed one way or the other.
Outdoor Fireplace
An outdoor fireplace has a more traditional aesthetic that is pleasing to the eye with right angles, clean brickwork, and the ability to fit within a specific space. Fireplaces can be anywhere from three feet to ten feet high, allowing room to be installed in most backyards regardless of size.
Fire Pit
More often than not, a fire pit will take up more space than an outdoor fireplace. This is because it’s in need of more ventilation room. Plus, seating can be placed or built all the way around a firepit as opposed to at just one angle. A larger backyard is required for a fire pit, though.
Accommodations
When homeowners are deciding between a fireplace vs a firepit for their backyard, they often take into consideration how many friends and family members will be using it at a given time. They want to be able to accommodate them all.
Outdoor Fireplace
An outdoor fireplace can range in height and width from anywhere between three and ten feet. This allows for a good amount of surface area to place or build seating around the fireplace. While outdoor fireplaces only have one side that chairs can be placed around, it may accommodate fewer people than a fire pit, however, the seating around an outdoor fireplace can be made more comfortable as it requires less open-air ventilation than a fire pit.
Fire Pit
A fire pit is an open circle which means people can sit all around it. This allows for far more space for seats to be built or placed around it. If you have a large family, you may want to consider a fire pit. Just make sure to remember that a firepit requires more ventilation, so it can’t be placed near your porch. Thus, it is less usable in poor weather.
Price
You may now be saying to yourself, design and guest accommodation is all well and good, but what about price? Between a fireplace vs a fire pit, which one fits the budget better? Here’s what you should know.
Outdoor Fireplace
An outdoor fireplace is usually a little more pricey in its initial installation. This is because it costs a decent amount of money to build the fireplace with the necessary materials, masonry, and ventilation. However, a well-constructed outdoor fireplace–especially one covered by a pavilion or a porch–can last decades.
Fire Pit
If you’re looking for a fire feature in your backyard with a lower installation cost, a fire pit is a great place to start. It’s easy to install and usually much cheaper than an outdoor fireplace. However, it doesn’t typically last as long as a well-constructed fireplace.
Thinking of having a fire pit or an outdoor fireplace installed in your backyard?
Contact the experts at Team Harding to get started today!
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