Nothing extends the Oklahoma outdoor season quite like a fire feature. Whether it’s a built-in outdoor fireplace or a fire pit, the warmth and ambiance these features provide transform cool spring and fall evenings into outdoor living season. At VistaScapes Design & Build, we integrate both fireplaces and fire pits into outdoor kitchen and patio builds throughout Broken Arrow, Tulsa, and the surrounding metro — and we help every client choose the right option for their space, lifestyle, and budget.
Outdoor Fireplaces — The Focal Point Option
An outdoor fireplace is a built masonry or prefabricated structure with a firebox, mantel, and chimney. It creates an elegant, room-like focal point for the outdoor living space and provides directional warmth — the heat is focused forward, toward seating arranged in front of the fireplace.
Pros of outdoor fireplaces:
- Dramatic focal point that anchors the outdoor living area
- Directional warmth toward a defined seating arrangement
- Better smoke management — chimney draws smoke away from guests
- Higher perceived value and curb appeal
- Can double as a decorative element even when not in use
- Can include a TV mount above the mantel for outdoor entertainment
Cons of outdoor fireplaces:
- Higher cost than fire pits — $5,000–$20,000+ for a quality built fireplace
- Requires more space than a fire pit
- Fixed seating arrangement — guests gather on one side
- More complex construction with permitting requirements in some cities
Fire Pits — The Social Option
A fire pit is a central feature around which guests gather on all sides. Gas fire pits use a burner and fire glass or lava rock media; wood-burning fire pits use a steel or masonry ring. Fire pits create a more casual, social atmosphere where everyone faces each other around the fire.
Pros of fire pits:
- Lower cost than built outdoor fireplaces
- 360° social seating — everyone gathers around the fire equally
- More versatile placement options
- Gas fire pits are extremely low maintenance
- Smaller footprint — works in tighter spaces
Cons of fire pits:
- Wood-burning pits create smoke that shifts direction with wind — can bother guests
- Less warmth per square foot of seating than a fireplace
- Less visual impact than a full outdoor fireplace
- Gas fire pits require a gas line (cost and complexity)
Our Recommendation for Oklahoma
For clients with a defined outdoor living room layout and a larger budget, a built outdoor fireplace is our recommendation. It creates the most striking focal point, manages smoke better, and provides a clear design anchor for the space. For clients with tighter budgets, smaller spaces, or who prefer a more casual gathering vibe, a gas fire pit is an excellent, lower-cost alternative that delivers tremendous ambiance.
Many of our most stunning projects combine both — a built fireplace as the main feature of a covered patio with a separate gas fire pit in an adjacent open seating area. The two features serve different moods and occasions.
Call 918-779-1317 or contact VistaScapes online to discuss adding a fire feature to your backyard. We serve Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Bixby, Jenks, Owasso, and all surrounding communities.
