An outdoor fireplace is the centerpiece of a serious outdoor living space — more dramatic than a fire pit, built to anchor a patio, and designed to last decades. But "outdoor fireplace" covers a wide range of products, from fully custom masonry builds to prefabricated wood-burning kits to clean, instant-on gas units. This guide breaks down what to actually look for.
Step 1: Wood-Burning or Gas?
This is the first decision, and it shapes everything else about the project.
Wood-burning prefab fireplaces (our FireRock line) give you a real masonry structure with genuine fire — crackling wood, real heat, and a permanent architectural presence. They require a footing, veneer finish, and a proper chimney/flue system, so they're a bigger install, but the payoff is a true masonry fireplace at a fraction of a full custom build's cost.
Gas linear fireplaces, like the Fire Gear Kalea Bay, are built-in units that ignite instantly at the push of a button — no wood, no ash, no smoke. The Kalea Bay runs on either natural gas or propane, so it works whether you already have a gas line run to your patio or you'd rather run it off a propane tank. It's available in sizes from 36" to 72", giving you a sleek, modern linear flame that suits contemporary outdoor kitchens and patios especially well. Because it's a built-in unit rather than a full masonry structure, installation is typically simpler and faster than a wood-burning prefab build.
Browse: Wood-Burning Outdoor Fireplaces or Gas Outdoor Fireplaces.
Prefab Kit vs. Custom Masonry (Wood-Burning)
If you've decided on wood-burning, there's a second choice to make. A custom masonry fireplace, built brick-by-brick on-site by a mason, gives you total design flexibility but comes with a much higher cost and a construction timeline measured in weeks, not days.
A prefabricated (prefab) fireplace kit — like our FireRock line — ships as engineered, pre-cut components that a mason (or an experienced DIYer) assembles on-site, then finishes with a veneer of your choice. You get the same permanent, real-masonry look and performance, at a fraction of the cost and time of a full custom build. For most homeowners, this is the better value.
Choosing a Style: Standard vs. Arched (Wood-Burning)
Our FireRock prefab kits come in two silhouettes:
- Standard opening: A clean, squared firebox opening — versatile and works with almost any architectural style.
- Arched opening (Tuscan-style): A rounded, old-world arch that reads more traditional and pairs especially well with stone, stucco, or Mediterranean-influenced outdoor spaces.
Browse both: Standard Prefab Outdoor Fireplace and Arched Prefab Outdoor Fireplace.
Sizing Your Fireplace
FireRock wood-burning kits come in three firebox sizes — 30", 36", and 42" — measured by the width of the opening. The Kalea Bay gas linear fireplace runs larger, from 36" up to 72", since it's designed as a wide horizontal flame feature rather than a traditional firebox opening.
- 30"-36" wood-burning / 36"-48" gas linear: Fits smaller-to-standard patios without overwhelming the space.
- 42" wood-burning / 60"-72" gas linear: Built for larger outdoor living areas, especially those with a full outdoor kitchen or extended seating.
As a rule of thumb, the fireplace opening should feel proportional to the seating area in front of it — too small and it disappears visually from typical seating distance; too large and it can overheat a tight space.
What Installation Actually Involves
Wood-burning prefab: You'll need a proper footing/foundation rated for the fireplace's weight, refractory mortar to set the components (we carry FireRock adhesive mortar made specifically for this), an exterior veneer finish (stone, brick, or stucco) applied over the structural shell, and a chimney/flue system appropriate for wood-burning use.
Gas linear (Kalea Bay): Requires a gas line (natural gas) or propane tank connection and typically builds into a surrounding structure or outdoor kitchen frame — no chimney or flue needed. This generally makes it a faster, less structurally involved install than a wood-burning masonry unit.
Most customers work with a local mason or experienced contractor for wood-burning veneer and footing work, while the FireRock components themselves arrive engineered and ready to assemble. For the Kalea Bay, a licensed gas technician should handle the gas or propane hookup.
Placement Considerations
Because these are permanent structures, placement decisions matter more than with a portable fire pit. Think through sightlines from your main living areas, prevailing wind direction (especially important for wood-burning units, so smoke doesn't blow into seating or your home), and proximity to structures per your local fire code before you finalize a spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install a prefab fireplace myself?
The core wood-burning components are designed for contractor or experienced DIY installation, but the footing and veneer work typically benefit from a mason's experience — especially to meet local building code. Gas units like the Kalea Bay should always have the gas/propane connection handled by a licensed professional.
Do I need a permit?
In most municipalities, yes — a permanent outdoor fireplace, whether wood-burning or gas, is a structural and/or gas-line addition. Check with your local building department before purchasing.
Natural gas or propane — which should I choose for the Kalea Bay?
If you already have a gas line (or can have one run) to your patio, natural gas offers unlimited run time with no tank to monitor. If running a gas line isn't practical, propane gives you the same clean, instant-on flame with the flexibility of a tank instead.
How much should I budget?
FireRock wood-burning prefab kits typically start around $3,000-$3,800 before veneer and installation. Gas linear units like the Kalea Bay vary by size (36"-72") — check the product page for current pricing by size.
Ready to Shop?
Browse our Outdoor Wood Burning Fireplace collection or Outdoor Gas Fireplace collection, or explore our other guides on the Buying Guides hub.
