If you’re considering adding an outdoor fireplace to your Broken Arrow or Tulsa property, you have more choices than you might realize. Not all outdoor fireplaces are built the same — they differ in fuel type, construction method, size, and what they can be paired with. This guide from VistaScapes Design & Build walks you through the main types of outdoor fireplaces so you can make an informed decision. Questions? Call 918-779-1317.
By Fuel Type
Wood-Burning Outdoor Fireplaces
Wood-burning outdoor fireplaces deliver the most authentic fire experience — real logs, natural crackle, wood smoke, and the ability to cook over live fire. They require a proper masonry firebox, smoke chamber, flue system, and spark arrestor cap at the chimney top. Wood-burning fireplaces need a dry firewood supply and periodic ash cleanup. They are the most labor-intensive option to use but produce an experience that gas simply cannot replicate.
Gas Outdoor Fireplaces
Gas outdoor fireplaces connect to a natural gas line or propane tank and produce a controlled, consistent flame at the flip of a switch. They require no wood or cleanup, produce minimal smoke, and can be used immediately whenever you want. Gas fireplaces can be installed in the same masonry structure as a wood-burning fireplace — the difference is the burner system rather than the construction. They are ideal for homeowners who want frequent, convenient use.
By Construction Method
Custom Masonry Outdoor Fireplaces
A custom masonry outdoor fireplace is built on-site from the ground up using brick, natural stone, concrete block, or a combination. This is the most durable and architecturally impressive option. VistaScapes builds custom masonry fireplaces with a proper poured concrete footing, correctly proportioned firebox, mortared flue tiles for wood-burning models, and exterior finishes in natural stone, brick, or stucco. Custom masonry fireplaces are permanent structures designed to last 30 or more years.
Prefab Steel Insert Fireplaces
Prefab fireplaces use a factory-built steel firebox insert that is then surrounded by a masonry or stucco enclosure. The steel insert is certified for safe use and provides consistent performance, while the surrounding masonry gives the fireplace its custom appearance. Prefab inserts are less expensive than fully custom masonry fireboxes and simplify the engineering of the firebox and flue. VistaScapes can build a stunning custom-looking outdoor fireplace using a quality prefab insert.
By Design Style
Traditional Outdoor Fireplaces
Traditional outdoor fireplaces feature a classic hearth-and-mantel design with natural stone or brick facing, a prominent firebox opening, and a full chimney rising overhead. This style suits homes with traditional architectural details — craftsman, colonial, or ranch-style homes throughout Broken Arrow and Tulsa often look best with a traditional outdoor fireplace.
Contemporary Outdoor Fireplaces
Contemporary outdoor fireplaces use clean lines, stucco or smooth concrete finishes, and often a gas burner with a linear or see-through flame. The chimney may be minimal or hidden. This style suits modern architecture and homeowners who want a sleek, design-forward fireplace that doesn’t dominate the outdoor space with traditional masonry bulk.
Outdoor Fireplaces with TV Niche
Many Oklahoma homeowners want to combine an outdoor fireplace with an outdoor television niche — a recessed space above or beside the firebox sized to hold a flat-screen TV. VistaScapes builds fireplace and TV niche combinations regularly. The niche is framed into the masonry structure and the TV is mounted flush for a clean, built-in look. This is one of the most popular outdoor fireplace configurations for entertaining spaces in Broken Arrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
VistaScapes Design & Build has built outdoor fireplaces throughout Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Jenks, Owasso, and northeastern Oklahoma. Call 918-779-1317 to discuss which type of outdoor fireplace is right for your property.
