An outdoor gas fireplace is an excellent way to upgrade a backyard or patio space, offering a truly luxurious experience that can transform your home. Like all gas fireplaces, they can provide the ambiance and atmosphere of a real flame in a form that's more convenient and easy to use than a traditional wood fireplace. If you're building a new home or adding to/renovating an existing one, you may be considering upgrading your outdoor relaxation area with a gas fireplace.
Those looking to install an outdoor gas fireplace on their patio will need to decide between doing it themselves or hiring a contractor. If you've got some DIY skills, it's likely you could do the majority of the installation yourself. To help you decide, we've put together this handy guide. While the details will depend on the exact model of gas fireplace you're installing, this post will cover some common threads and offer some tips to consider while planning the project.
Should You Install an Outdoor Gas Fireplace Yourself?
The answer will depend on your level of DIY skill. If you're considering it, you should expect to need the following skills:
- Planning the installation will require adhering to the manufacturer's recommended clearances as well as any local building codes, so knowledge of those is vital.
- An outdoor gas fireplace installation may require significant framing work, using metal studs or other non-flammable materials to protect your home.
- Many outdoor gas fireplaces include electrical components such as an electronic ignition or LED accent lighting that will require a connection to your home's electrical system, so you'd need some level of skill in that area.
- An outdoor gas fireplace must obviously be connected to a natural gas or propane supply. We always recommend this step be handled by a licensed gas plumber.
- The finishing work to make the fireplace and surrounding area attractive may require working with masonry, stucco or other materials.
If you have all of the above skills, you're entirely qualified to install an outdoor gas fireplace on your own, but if you're lacking in one or more, you may need to work with a professional to ensure the quality and safety of your new fireplace.
Easy-to-Install Outdoor Gas Fireplaces
Not all outdoor gas fireplaces are equally challenging when it comes to installation. Some models offer a considerably simpler installation process. If you're wanting to do the install yourself but don't want to deal with all the complexities listed above, you may be interested in one of these options:
Ready-to-Finish Outdoor Gas Fireplaces
These gas fireplaces come pre-framed in an enclosure, making them easier to install. You'll still need to account for things like electrical connections, gas supply and finishing, but they eliminate much of the framing work required by a traditional gas fireplace. One such example is this great ready-to-finish outdoor gas fireplace by The Outdoor GreatRoom Company. It offers all the quality and appeal of a great fireplace, while offering a significantly simpler installation experience. If you select the battery-powered spark ignition option, there's no need for an electric connection. In addition, the 40-inch propane model can be fueled by a standard 20-pound tank, meaning it can be installed without a fuel line.
Prefabricated Outdoor Gas Fireplaces
You can also take simplification a step further by purchasing a prefab gas fireplace. These models make the installation very easy by providing you with an all-in-one package that is designed to be as easy as possible to install. Aside from possible fuel or electrical considerations, the only thing you'll need to do on your own is the finishing work to get the fireplace to suit your preferred decor. For an idea of what this could look like, check out this prefabricated gas fireplace from American Fyre Designs. It's a complete unit that includes the enclosure, log set and burner and like the model listed above, it can also be powered by a standard propane tank. One customer review indicates they were able to complete the assembly in just 30 minutes!
Tips for Installing Your Outdoor Gas Fireplace
While we can't go into a great deal of detail given the variety of outdoor gas fireplaces on the market, we hope the info listed above provides some help in determining whether you can install your own outdoor gas fireplace. If you're still unsure or you have additional questions not covered here, you may want to reach out to our team to get more detail. Give us a call at 877-374-2070 Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm Central Time to speak with one of our experts. They'll be able to point you toward the right outdoor gas fireplace for your home or help guide you through the installation of your Fireplaces Direct purchase.