How Deep Should an Outdoor Fireplace Be?

Restrictions

• City ordinances or neighborhood regulations may limit the type of outdoor fireplace you are allowed to build. Check with you local government and your homeowners association to learn about any size and height limitations on outdoor fireplaces in your area. The design you choose may be determined by these rules.

Placement

• The size of your yard will determine how large your outdoor fireplace will be. Pick the spot where you want to build the fireplace and measure the area to discover how much height and width you have to work with. Remember that the fireplace should be positioned away from structures and trees, so as not to pose a fire hazard to surrounding buildings and landscaping.

Design

• Fireplace depth varies by design. The depth of the fireplace is directly proportional to the height and width of the opening. The part of the fireplace where wood (or other burning materials) are stacked is known as the combustion chamber. The depth of this chamber is critical to the overall design of the fireplace; it must be sized appropriately so the fire receives the right amount of air. Combustion chambers are commonly square and made with straight, vertical sides, but in some designs the combustion chamber is made with concave sides.

Depth

• The depth of the combustion chamber, or firebox, is mathematically calculated based on the height and width of the opening of the fireplace. For example, a fireplace that measures 24 inches high and 24 inches wide across the opening will have a firebox that is 16 inches deep. As the opening becomes larger, so does the combustion chamber. A fireplace with an opening measuring 48 by 32 inches wide and high will have a firebox with a depth of 18 inches.