Firebrick & Refractory
The firebox interior is lined with firebrick and refractory mortar rated for direct flame, so the structure behind it never takes the heat.
Colorado Outdoor Fireplace Specialists
Outdoor Fireplace Contractor Serving Colorado
Custom outdoor fireplaces designed and built for the Front Range, from full masonry stone hearths to clean-lined modern surrounds. We engineer the firebox and flue for high-altitude draft so it lights easy and burns clean.
Serving South Denver & Foothills
100+ Years Combined Team Experience
Licensed & Insured
Overview
An Outdoor Fireplace Built for the Colorado Season
A fire pit gathers people for an hour. A built outdoor fireplace anchors a patio for the whole season. The tall firebox and chimney throw heat forward instead of straight up, which is what keeps you outside in October when the sun drops behind the foothills and the temperature falls 20 degrees in an evening.
As an outdoor fireplace contractor working the Front Range, we build for two things most catalog units ignore: altitude and weather swings. Thinner air at 5,000-plus feet changes how a firebox drafts, so we size the flue and throat to pull smoke up the chimney instead of into your face. And every footing, masonry joint, and cap has to survive freeze-thaw cycles that crack the wrong materials within a season or two.
Whether you searched for an “outdoor fireplace contractor” to handle a full masonry build or you’re comparing outdoor fireplace builders near me for a smaller project, the page below covers styles, fuel options, what a build actually costs, and how our process works.
Prefer open flame and a lower budget? Explore our fire pits instead, where the heat is shared around an open ring rather than projected from a hearth.
Fireplace Styles
Four Outdoor Fireplace Styles We Build
Natural Stone
Full-height stacked or veneer stone in Colorado buff, moss rock, or Lyons sandstone. The most requested look on the Front Range because it ties the fireplace to the local landscape and ages without looking dated.
Brick
Classic clay brick or thin-brick veneer for a warmer, more traditional surround. Pairs well with brick or Tudor-style homes and offers a tight color range that’s easy to match to existing hardscape.
Modern
Linear gas fireboxes framed in smooth stucco, board-formed concrete, or large-format porcelain panels. Clean horizontal lines, often with a low-profile chimney and a glass media bed instead of logs.
Rustic
Reclaimed timber mantels, rough-cut stone, and a heavy hearthstone for a mountain-cabin feel. Built to look like it has always been there, which suits foothill properties in Evergreen and Golden.
Fuel Types
Wood, Gas, or Both
The fuel you choose changes the firebox design, the chimney height, and the permits, so we settle it early. Here is the honest trade-off on each.
Wood-Burning
The real-fire crowd. Crackle, ember glow, and the smell of a wood fire, with a true firebox and a code-height chimney for draft. Needs a taller flue at altitude, plus a stocked woodpile and ash cleanout. Best heat output of the three.
Gas
Push-button flame on a natural gas or propane line. No smoke, no ash, no wood to haul, and it shuts off instantly. The right call when fire bans are common or when you want flame on a weeknight without the work. We run the gas line during the build.
Dual-Fuel
A wood firebox with a gas starter, or a design that accepts both. You get the easy ignition of gas and the option to burn real wood when you want the full experience. The most flexible build, and a frequent pick for homeowners who entertain often.
Note on fire restrictions: Colorado counties issue seasonal fire bans that often exempt permanent, properly built gas appliances but restrict open wood burning. We design with that reality in mind so your fireplace stays usable through a dry summer.
Cost Guide
Outdoor Fireplace Cost: What to Budget
Outdoor fireplace cost is the first question almost everyone asks, so here are real ranges rather than a vague “it depends.” Final price comes down to size, material, fuel, and how much site and utility work the spot needs.
| Build Type | Typical Range | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Prefab gas insert with surround | $6,000 – $12,000 | Manufactured firebox, veneer surround, gas hookup, basic footing |
| Mid-size masonry, stone or brick | $12,000 – $25,000 | Custom firebox, full stone veneer, chimney, hearth, wood or gas |
| Large custom feature wall | $25,000 – $50,000+ | Oversized hearth, integrated seating, lighting, wood storage, premium stone |
What moves the number most:
- Material. Full natural stone masonry costs more than thin veneer or stucco, both in material and labor hours.
- Fuel and utilities. A gas build adds a plumber and a line run; a wood build adds chimney height and a cleanout.
- Site work. A fireplace needs a real footing below frost depth. Tough access, slope, or a deep frost footing adds cost.
- Extras. Flanking seat walls, a TV niche, lighting, and a wood box raise the total but are cheaper to add during the original build than later.
We give you a fixed scope and a written estimate after the site visit, so the number you approve is the number you pay. Request a free estimate and we’ll price your exact spot.
Fire Pit Types
Materials That Survive a Colorado Winter
An outdoor fireplace lives through 100-degree sun and sub-zero nights in the same year. The materials matter more than the finish photos suggest.
Freeze-Thaw Footings
Footings poured below frost depth and reinforced so the masonry above doesn't heave or crack when the ground swells in winter.
UV-Stable Stone
Stone and grout chosen to hold color under intense high-altitude sun instead of fading or chalking after a couple of seasons.
Sealed Caps & Joints
Chimney caps and tooled joints sealed to keep water out, because water that freezes inside a joint is what splits stone apart.
Design Process
How We Design and Build Your Fireplace
01
Site & Draft Assessment
We walk your patio, check prevailing wind and overhead clearance, and pick a spot where the chimney drafts well and the heat reaches your seating.
02
Design & Renderings
You get detailed plans and 3D renderings showing the style, fuel, chimney height, and how the fireplace ties into the rest of the yard.
03
Permits & Build
We handle permits and inspections, pour the footing, run gas if needed, and lay the firebox, masonry, and chimney to finished detail.
04
Test Burn & Walkthrough
We light it with you, confirm the draft pulls clean, and hand over a fireplace that's ready for its first real evening.
Create a paver patio around your fireplace so the hearth opens onto a finished, level surface built for chairs and foot traffic.
FAQ
Outdoor Fireplace Questions
How much does an outdoor fireplace cost in Colorado?
Most builds land between $12,000 and $25,000 for a mid-size masonry fireplace in stone or brick. A prefab gas unit with a simple surround can come in under that, and a large custom feature wall with seating and lighting runs higher. We price your exact spot after a site visit.
Should I choose wood or gas?
Gas if you want push-button flame, no smoke, and reliable use during dry-summer fire restrictions. Wood if you want real crackle and the strongest heat output and don’t mind a woodpile and ash cleanup. Dual-fuel gives you both. We size the firebox and chimney differently for each, so we settle it before design.
Does altitude affect how an outdoor fireplace burns?
Yes. Thinner air on the Front Range changes how a firebox drafts. A flue sized for sea level can smoke back into your seating area up here. We design the throat and chimney height for high-altitude draft so the smoke goes up the chimney, not out the front.
Can I use my fireplace during a county fire ban?
Often, yes, if it’s a permanent gas appliance. Many Colorado fire bans restrict open wood burning but exempt properly built and permitted gas units. We design with bans in mind so your fireplace stays usable through a dry season. Always confirm current local rules before you light it.
How long does a fireplace build take?
A typical masonry fireplace is finished within a few weeks of breaking ground, depending on permits, utility runs, and material lead times. We give you a real timeline during the design phase and keep you posted as work moves.
Do I need a permit?
Usually. A fireplace with gas, or a chimney over a certain height, typically requires a permit and inspection. We pull the permits and schedule inspections as part of the project so you don’t have to chase paperwork.
Are you outdoor fireplace builders near me?
If you’re in the Denver metro or the foothills, including Castle Rock, Centennial, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Golden, Evergreen, and Parker, then yes. We build across the Front Range and the surrounding foothill communities.
Start Your Project
Ready to Build Your Outdoor Fireplace?
Tell us your spot, your style, and how you like to use the patio, and we’ll design a fireplace around it. Add outdoor lighting and a landscape design plan to finish the space, then book a free consultation.
Free Consultation · No Obligation