Houston Outdoor Fireplaces
- Thousands of satisfied customers
- Local and family owned
- +15 years in business
- Licensed and insured
- Always FREE Quotes
Licensed & Insured Built-In Outdoor Fireplace Construction in Houston, TX
Your outdoor space should be comfortable, safe, and stunning year-round. If smoke blowback, heat damage, or a dated patio is holding you back, we build code-compliant, long‑lasting fireplaces that perform in Houston’s wind and humidity. We design, permit, and construct with proven masonry methods and gas appliance standards, so your fireplace lights easily and drafts cleanly.
With 15+ years of design‑build experience and 2,000+ local projects, we handle complex conditions - covered patios, TV niches, and expansive clay soils - with the right engineering and materials. Our licensed team manages permits, gas line trenching, and inspections, then finishes in stone, brick, or stucco to match your home. For Built-In Outdoor Fireplace Construction Houston TX, contact us for a free on‑site consultation and estimate today.
Why Our Built‑In Outdoor Fireplace Construction Delivers Comfort, Safety, and Lasting Value
You want a fireplace that looks amazing, starts every time, and never puts your family or home at risk. Hiring professional outdoor fireplace builders in Houston is the smart choice when gas, masonry, and code compliance all intersect. We design for wind, draft, and clearances, then build to NFPA 211 and IRC requirements. Choose our Built-In Outdoor Fireplace Construction to get reliable performance, clean lines, and a stress‑free experience from consultation to first fire.
Safety & Risk Elimination
Your fireplace must protect people, structures, and finishes. We engineer reinforced footings, anchor the CMU core with vertical rebar and grout fill, and follow NFPA 211 setbacks from combustibles. For gas systems, a Texas Master Plumber performs trenching, sizing, and leak testing before we set burners or direct‑vent units.
We add spark arrestors, stainless or copper chimney caps, and proper smoke chamber shaping to prevent embers and turbulence. On covered patios, we use heat‑management details - mantel shields, insulated chases, and noncombustible headers - so soffits, siding, and TVs stay protected.
Professional Results & Quality
Consistent draft and even heat come from correct proportions. We offer Rumford‑style options for a stronger pull, Herringbone firebrick with thin refractory joints, and precise flue tile alignment. Our teams lay out with laser levels and plumb lines for dead‑straight faces and true corners.
Finish work matters. We install limestone (Austin/Lueders), Oklahoma chopped stone, modular/king brick, or stucco over cement board. Granite or travertine hearths and cast stone mantels add dimension. Every fireplace is sealed and flashed correctly to resist Houston’s rain and humidity.
Time & Stress Savings
We handle everything - design, HOA/ARC submittals, City of Houston permits, inspection scheduling, and final walkthroughs. No juggling contractors or rework. Our process eliminates guesswork so you move from concept to first fire quickly.
On most projects, design and approvals take 2–4 weeks, with construction in 5–10 working days depending on complexity. You’ll have a single point of contact and clear milestones from day one.
Cost‑Effective Solution
Mistakes with gas lines, footing depth, or chimney geometry can be costly. We prevent callbacks with engineered footings for expansive clay soils, proper gas BTU sizing, and draft‑tested designs. That’s real savings over DIY or piecemeal builds.
We also plan the project holistically - seating walls, wood storage, and outdoor kitchen tie‑ins - so you don’t pay for tear‑outs later. Upfront planning protects your budget and schedule.
Peace of Mind & Warranty
You’re covered. We are fully insured, OSHA‑trained, and certified by NFI (Gas and Woodburning). Our workmanship warranty backs masonry, finishes, and installation. Manufacturer warranties apply to burners, valves, and modular kits like Isokern or FireRock.
After completion, we provide care instructions and optional maintenance - stone sealing, cap inspection, and gas log service - so performance stays like day one.
How Our Outdoor Fireplace Construction Process Works
We keep the process simple, transparent, and code‑compliant from the first call to the first fire. A dedicated project lead guides you through every step.
1) On‑Site Consultation & Design
We assess patio size, wind orientation, utilities, and HOA/code requirements. You’ll see options for gas vs. wood, finishes, and layout with seating or TV niches.
2) Detailed Proposal & Permit/HOA Handling
We deliver a written scope, drawings, and pricing. Our team submits City of Houston permits and HOA/ARC packages, then coordinates inspections.
3) Construction & Utilities
We install engineered footings, CMU core, firebox, and flue. Licensed trades complete gas line trenching, hookups, and electrical for lighting or a TV outlet.
4) Finishes & Protection
Stone/brick/stucco, mantel, hearth, and caps go in. We add heat deflection and weatherproofing, then clean, seal, and test the system.
5) Final Walkthrough & Lighting
We light the first fire or test the burner with you, review care, and confirm warranty and service options.
Why Choose Us for Built‑In Outdoor Fireplaces in Houston
At Houston Outdoor Fireplaces, we combine masonry craftsmanship with gas system expertise to deliver safe, beautiful results that last. Our team has 15+ years of local experience across covered patios, modern linear builds, and classic masonry fireplaces. We back it with insurance, certifications, and written warranties. For homeowners seeking Built-In Outdoor Fireplace Construction Houston TX, we’re the local partner you can trust from design to final inspection.
Certified Expertise & Qualifications
Our installers hold NFI‑G (Gas) and NFI‑W (Woodburning) Specialist certifications. We’re CSIA certified for chimney safety and trained by leading manufacturers like Isokern and FireRock. That means your firebox proportions, flue components, and burner systems are installed to spec.
We’re active members of HPBA, MCAA, BIA, GHBA, and BBB Accredited. Ongoing training and adherence to best practices translate into better draft, cleaner burns, and reduced maintenance for you.
Licensing, Permits & Safety First
Gas piping is performed by a Texas Master Plumber. We obtain City of Houston Mechanical and Plumbing permits as required and coordinate inspections, including gas pressure testing. We follow NFPA 211, IRC R1001/R1004/R1005, and UMC gas appliance standards on every build.
Our safety program includes OSHA 10/30 training and jobsite PPE. We verify clearances to combustibles, add spark arrestors, and specify wind‑rated chimney caps where Gulf Coast gusts demand it.
Equipment, Materials & Methods
We build on reinforced concrete footings with CMU cores, vertical rebar, and grout fill for strength. Fireboxes are lined with firebrick and refractory mortar; steel lintels support openings; smoke chambers are parged for smooth draft. Tools include laser levels, wet saws with diamond blades, and mortar mixers for precise results.
You’ll choose from Austin/Lueders limestone, Oklahoma stone, brick, or stucco on cement board. We seal stone, flash penetrations, and install stainless or copper caps with spark screens. Near coastal areas, we upgrade to 316 stainless for corrosion resistance.
Local Knowledge & Real‑World Experience
Houston soils expand and contract. We address this with deeper footings or helical piers where needed. Wind orientation is part of our layout to reduce smoke toward seating. Under patio covers, we incorporate mantel shields and chase insulation to protect soffits and TVs.
We’ve completed projects in Katy, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Cypress, Memorial, and River Oaks - each with unique HOA standards and site conditions. Our familiarity speeds approvals and prevents redesigns.
Customer‑First Policies & Warranty
You get a clear schedule, progress updates, and a dedicated point of contact. We provide written scopes, change‑order control, and a workmanship warranty. Post‑build service includes repair, rebuilds, stone resealing, and annual chimney/cap checks.
If something isn’t right, we make it right. That’s why homeowners searching for an outdoor fireplace contractor in Houston TX refer us to neighbors and friends.
Built‑In Outdoor Fireplace Projects Backed by Proven Local Expertise
We design and build fireplaces that perform in Houston’s climate - from wood‑burning masonry to direct‑vent gas systems and modern linear features. Our work spans the Greater Houston area, including West University, Bellaire, Heights, Spring, and The Woodlands. Whether you want a stone outdoor fireplace, a covered patio fireplace with TV, or a kitchen + fireplace package, our team delivers Built-In Outdoor Fireplace Construction Houston TX with precise craftsmanship and code‑compliant installs.
Types of Fireplace Projects We Handle
We build wood‑burning units with custom fireboxes, gas outdoor fireplaces (direct‑vent or vent‑free rated for outdoor use), see‑through/double‑sided models, and corner or peninsula configurations. We integrate hearths, mantels, wood storage, and seating walls for a complete living area.
For modern aesthetics, we construct stucco fireplaces with linear burners and clean chimney chases. Traditional clients love masonry outdoor fireplaces in brick or Austin stone to match existing elevations.
Our Proven Process & Methods
Every project starts with site layout and wind orientation planning. We pour reinforced footings, build CMU cores with vertical rebar, and line the firebox in Herringbone firebrick using refractory mortar. Flue tiles are aligned, smoke chambers parged, and caps installed with spark arrestors.
Gas line trenching and hookups are completed by licensed pros. We add TV heat deflection, mantel shields, and weatherproof flashing at every critical seam. Stone is sealed, and drain/weep management keeps moisture out.
Complex Situations We’ve Mastered
Expansive clay soils demand deeper footings or helical piers - we specify what your site needs. Under patio covers, we manage clearances and ventilation for safe operation. Near the coast, we upgrade to 316 stainless and sealants to combat corrosion.
We’ve rebuilt draft‑poor fireplaces with Rumford‑proportioned fireboxes to fix smoke roll‑out. We also retrofit wind‑rated chimney caps to improve performance on gusty days.
Results You Can Expect
Expect clean draft, reliable ignition, and a finish that looks like it belongs to your home. Typical timelines run 2–4 weeks for design/approvals and 5–10 working days for construction, depending on scope.
We leave the site clean, haul away debris, and walk you through lighting, operation, and maintenance so you’re ready for your first fire that evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should an outdoor fireplace be placed on my patio?
We position the fireplace to block prevailing winds and protect seating from smoke. Clearances to structures, eaves, and fences are set per NFPA 211 and local code, and we confirm HOA setbacks. We also review sightlines, TV placement, and traffic flow. On smaller patios, a corner or see‑through unit can save space while still creating a focal point. Our design visit includes wind orientation and utility routing to make lighting and service easy.
How far from my house and fences does a fireplace need to be?
Clearances vary by design (wood vs. gas, vented vs. vent‑free) and by local code/HOA rules. We verify safe distances from walls, soffits, posts, and property lines, then document them on plans for approval. As a rule, we maintain generous space around openings and flue terminals, use noncombustible materials near heat, and add heat shields under patio covers. Final placement is confirmed during permitting to keep your project compliant and insurable.
Do I need a permit for a gas or vented outdoor fireplace in Houston?
Most gas or vented systems require City of Houston Mechanical and Plumbing permits, plus inspections and a gas pressure test. We handle submittals and scheduling. A December 1, 2023 update clarified documentation for vented appliances and testing procedures; our team’s current checklists meet the latest requirements. If your HOA needs ARC approval, we prepare drawings, finishes, and site plans to streamline approvals.
What’s the difference between wood‑burning and gas outdoor fireplaces?
Wood‑burning units offer crackle and aroma, need a full masonry chimney, and require dry fuel and ash cleanup. Gas systems provide instant on/off, consistent heat, and low maintenance, using direct‑vent or vent‑free (outdoor‑rated) components. We’ll discuss fuel availability, desired flame appearance, and code or HOA limits to recommend the right system. Many clients choose gas for covered patio fireplaces and wood for open‑air seating areas.
How much does a custom outdoor fireplace cost in Houston?
Most projects range from $9,500–$24,000 for masonry builds, with premium stone, TV niches, or see‑through designs running $25,000–$40,000+. Gas line trenching, footings for expansive soils, and chimney height can affect price. We provide a transparent, itemized proposal so you can compare options like Isokern modular kits vs. full masonry. Ask about package pricing with seating walls or an outdoor kitchen.
Can I put an outdoor fireplace under a covered patio or pergola?
Yes, with proper clearances and heat management. We specify noncombustible framing where needed, add mantel heat shields or deflectors, and use direct‑vent gas units or carefully proportioned masonry to control temperatures. Vent‑free outdoor‑rated sets can work in open‑sided covers when clearances are met. We’ll confirm code and manufacturer specs for your exact roof height, soffits, and finishes.
What materials hold up best in Houston’s climate?
We recommend Austin/Lueders limestone or brick with proper sealing, stucco over cement board, and stainless or copper caps with spark arrestors. In coastal areas like Galveston and Clear Lake, we upgrade to 316 stainless components and more frequent sealing to fight corrosion. Quality refractory firebrick and mortar inside the firebox ensure durability and safer, cleaner burns over time.
Can I mount a TV above an outdoor fireplace safely?
Yes - if we manage heat. We add a properly sized mantel heat shield, insulate the chase, and incorporate a deflector to keep TV intake temps within manufacturer limits. We also provide a dedicated, code‑compliant outlet and recommend weather‑rated displays. On gas units, linear burners and direct‑vent designs make heat control easier under a patio cover.
How tall should the chimney be to prevent smoke blowback?
Chimney height depends on firebox opening size, nearby structures, and wind patterns. We proportion masonry per draft best practices and often use Rumford‑style geometry for stronger pull. In many cases, extending the flue and adding a wind‑rated cap improves performance. We verify clearances and height during design so smoke moves up, not toward your seating area.
How long does design, permitting, and construction take?
Typical timelines are 2–4 weeks for design, HOA/ARC approval, and permitting, followed by 5–10 working days for construction. Projects with complex gas routing, helical piers, or double‑sided units may add time. We provide a detailed schedule up front and coordinate inspections to keep your project moving without surprises.