Outdoor Fireplace vs Gas Fire Pit: Choosing the Right Option for Broken Arrow
Two of the most popular outdoor heating and ambiance features in Broken Arrow are the masonry outdoor fireplace and the gas fire pit. Both extend outdoor living season into cooler months, both create a gathering focal point, and both add value to your property. But they serve different functions and suit different backyard configurations. Here’s how to decide which is right for you — or whether you want both.
Outdoor Masonry Fireplace: Architecture and Ambiance
A hand-built outdoor fireplace is the most architecturally significant outdoor feature VistaScapes builds. It creates a true focal point that anchors the outdoor space — visible from inside the house, dominant in the backyard’s visual composition, and functional as both a heat source and a conversation piece.
- Best for: Covered patios and outdoor rooms where a strong focal feature is desired; homeowners who want maximum ambiance and traditional fire experience; spaces where seating faces the fireplace (rather than surrounding it)
- Heat output: High radiant heat directed toward seating in front of the fireplace opening
- Fuel: Wood-burning (most common in Broken Arrow) or gas logs installed in a masonry firebox
- Cost range: $6,000–$15,000+ depending on size, stone type, and design complexity
- Construction: CMU block core, proper smoke chamber, flue tile system, spark arrestor, stone or brick veneer
Gas Fire Pit: Social and Versatile
A gas fire pit with a masonry surround creates a social gathering area where seating can be arranged on all sides of the flame. It’s lower profile than a fireplace and fits naturally in an open area of the yard, away from a covered structure.
- Best for: Open yard gathering areas; spaces where seating surrounds the fire on all sides; homeowners who want convenience (instant on/off) over the traditional fire experience
- Heat output: Moderate radiant heat distributed to all sides equally
- Fuel: Natural gas (if run to the location) or propane tank
- Cost range: $2,500–$6,000 for masonry surround with gas burner
- Construction: CMU or natural stone base, gas burner unit, fire glass or lava rock media, seating walls optional
The Best of Both: Fireplace + Fire Pit Combo
Many Broken Arrow homeowners with larger properties or multizoned backyards build both: a masonry fireplace as the anchor of the covered patio/outdoor kitchen area, and a separate fire pit with seating walls further in the yard for a secondary gathering zone. This combination gives you a high-ambiance covered space for everyday use and a more social open-air fire area for larger gatherings and evening events.
Talk Through Your Options with VistaScapes
Call VistaScapes at 918-779-1317 to discuss fireplace vs fire pit options for your Broken Arrow backyard. We’ll assess your space, discuss your entertaining patterns, and recommend the right feature — or combination of features — for your specific property.
