An outdoor fireplace is one of the most dramatic and value-adding features you can add to an Oklahoma backyard. Unlike a fire pit, an outdoor fireplace provides architectural structure, directional warmth, and a focal point that organizes the entire outdoor living space around it. VistaScapes Design & Build has built outdoor fireplaces throughout Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, and Tulsa — here are the design approaches our clients love most.
Outdoor Fireplace Styles for Oklahoma Properties
Traditional Masonry Fireplace
A full masonry outdoor fireplace — built on-site with brick, stone, or a combination — is the most substantial and architectural option. VistaScapes builds traditional masonry fireplaces with full firebox, firebrick lining, cast iron damper, flue, and chimney. The exterior can be finished with Oklahoma limestone, ledgestone veneer, smooth stucco, or manufactured stone. These fireplaces are permanent architectural features that add significant property value.
Prefabricated Wood-Burning Insert in a Custom Surround
A popular approach that combines the performance and safety of an engineered firebox insert with a fully custom masonry surround and mantel. The prefab insert (from brands like Superior or Majestic) is designed for outdoor use and tested for air flow and spark containment. The custom stone or stucco exterior gives the appearance of a full masonry build at a more accessible cost.
Gas Fireplace with Stone Surround
Gas outdoor fireplaces offer the ambiance of a fireplace without the work of managing a wood fire — no hauling logs, no ash cleanup, and no waiting for the fire to die before you leave. A linear gas burner in a custom stone or stucco surround creates a clean, contemporary fire feature that ignites with a switch or remote. Many clients pair these with stacked stone or board-formed concrete surrounds for a modern aesthetic.
Fireplace with Outdoor Television Alcove
An increasingly popular configuration: an outdoor fireplace with a weatherproof TV alcove positioned above the firebox, creating an outdoor entertainment wall. This mirrors the popular interior great room layout — TV above the fireplace — in a fully outdoor context. VistaScapes builds these with recessed TV niches, cable management, and proper clearance from the firebox heat zone.
Two-Sided Pass-Through Fireplace
For outdoor spaces with a covered porch on one side and an open patio on the other, a two-sided fireplace serves both areas simultaneously. This configuration is particularly effective for screened porches adjacent to open entertaining patios, where the fireplace acts as the dividing element between the two zones.
Placement Considerations for Oklahoma Outdoor Fireplaces
- Clearance from combustibles — local codes specify minimum distances from structures, fences, and overhead coverings
- Prevailing wind direction — position the firebox opening away from the prevailing wind to prevent smoke blowback into the seating area
- Sight lines from seating — the fireplace should be visible and accessible from the primary seating zone
- Foundation requirements — full masonry fireplaces require engineered footings
Outdoor Fireplace Costs in Broken Arrow
- Gas fireplace with stone surround — $8,000–$18,000
- Prefab wood-burning insert with custom surround — $12,000–$22,000
- Full custom masonry wood-burning fireplace — $18,000–$40,000
- Outdoor fireplace with TV alcove — add $2,000–$5,000 to base fireplace cost
Call VistaScapes Design & Build at (918) 779-1317 to schedule a free outdoor fireplace design consultation. We serve Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, Owasso, and the greater Tulsa area.
