Outdoor Fireplaces vs. Outdoor Fire Pits: Things to Consider

Adding a fire pit or fireplace to your outdoor living space is a fantastic way to create a focal point and help ensure you get year-round use out of your backyard. So, the question isn’t whether or not you need an outdoor fire feature—it’s choosing between a fireplace and a fire pit. The good news is that we’re here to help make your decision easier. This post will cover the benefits of both fire pit and outdoor fireplace installation in Wausau, WI.

Function

The first thing to consider is how you’ll use your outdoor fire feature. Do you plan on roasting marshmallows and telling ghost stories, or do you simply want a place to relax after a long day of work? If you’re going to roast marshmallows, we advise going with a fire pit. A large fire pit with built-in seating provides a great place for everyone to gather and make tasty s’mores. An outdoor fireplace offers a more intimate setting to cuddle up with a loved one, so it’s not the best for large groups.

Design

We usually install outdoor fireplaces on the edge of a patio. They’re not so much a gathering place, but more of an accent feature. Fire pits, on the other hand, are typically in the middle of a patio—they’re where everyone wants to huddle around. When it comes to fire pit installation in Wausau, WI, we recommend installing built-in seating to ensure everyone has a place to sit!

Budget

Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces both increase a home’s value and have ROIs of up to 80 percent, so they’re both great investments! However, the initial cost to install them is not the same. Depending on the style of fire pit and whether you opt for built-in seating, a fire pit may cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. Since they’re surrounded by brick or stone and require more extensive installation, fireplaces can run into the tens of thousands of dollars.

Heat

Because the flame isn’t contained, a fire pit can’t hold heat as long as a fireplace. Additionally, the smoke from a wood-burning outdoor fire pit in Wausau, WI could be bothersome for some people. On the flipside, fireplaces hold heat for a long time, and the chimney allows any smoke to drift upwards. That said, both fireplaces and fire pits allow everyone to stay nice and warm, even on those chilly evenings.

Safety

Since they both have hot flames, fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are inherently dangerous. Fireplaces are enclosed on three sides, so they’re less hazardous than their fire pit counterparts. If you have young children running around and you want a fire pit, we advise getting a propane fire pit with a glass windshield that will protect them from the flames.

Whether you’re leaning towards a fire pit or an outdoor fireplace in Wausau, WI, choose Marcell’s Specialties Inc. to install it. Contact us today to receive up to $100 off the cost of your next installation!

Categorised in: Fire Pits, Fireplaces

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