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So you're looking for a project that will add beauty and value to your home? How about building an outdoor fireplace? Outdoor fireplaces are a great home feature that give you a fun place to gather with friends and family. Anyone can just dig a hole in the ground and throw some logs into it but instead of that, why not learn how to build outdoor fireplace which is much more luxurious?
First things first. Just like they say in the realty market location location location! You want your outdoor fireplace away from anything overhead that might catch on fire - sheds, barns trees, anything like that. In addition you'll want to consult your building and fire codes to be sure you're doing it right and within the law.
This can be a bit of an involved project so proper site planning is key
At a minimum you'll need the following tools:
Trowels
Shovel
Masonry hammer
Masonry saw
Dust mask
Wheel barrow
Rubber mallet
Level
Wooden plank
Plumb line
The supplies are pretty easy:
Fireproof bricks
Mortar
Gravel
Metal grate
Map out a footprint of where you want your new outdoor fireplace
After you've found the perfect spot you want to dig a shallow hole slightly larger than the sides of the fireplace
Once the hole is dug pour a small layer of gravel on the bottom and level it
It's now time to start building.
You want to lay your base layer of bricks along one wall first. Place bricks side by side the entire length of the first wall you want to build. Apply a thin layer of mortar between each brick using the trowel so they stick together. Make sure to use your level to ensure the wall is straight the entire run too.
After that it just gets easier and easier. Use your masonry saw and cut a brick in half.
Put a layer of mortar on the top of the first row of bricks and place the brick you cut in half flush on top of the bottom layer. This lets you stagger the joints all the way up and improves the strength of the outdoor fireplace.
Place a full brick next to the half brick with mortar in between them and now you've got your second row started. Just trowel in the mortar as needed. As you place each new brick on the wall use the rubber mallet to gently tap it down. Make sure to use your level and plumb bob to keep the wall perfectly straight.
All you have to do now is build the wall as high as you want and then repeat on the other sides. Joining the corners together with mortar. Once you have built the outdoor fireplace high enough for your grill you want to stop and create a space to insert the grill.
An easy way to do this is to leave a series of three small spaces on each side where you can push pieces of iron all the way across from one side of the fireplace to the other. On top of these three pieces of iron you can set a grill so you can cook in your fireplace.
From here, continue building up and up with the bricks until you make the fireplace as high as you would like it to be.
Learning how to build outdoor fireplace is a fun project that will pay off with many a relaxing evening basking in the warmth and glow of a cozy outdoor fire.
My Links : - Cheap Fireplace Store - Easter Egg Coloring - Easter Decoration
