For many north Georgia homeowners, yes, an outdoor fireplace is worth it. It turns a patio or covered porch into a space you can use on cool fall and winter evenings, gives the backyard a focal point, and makes the outdoor area feel like a true room. A stone fireplace is a bigger investment than a fire pit, but it adds structure, blocks wind, and holds up for decades when it is built right.
Here is how to decide whether a fireplace or a fire pit fits your yard, and what to plan before you build.
Why are outdoor fireplaces popular around Cartersville?
Because north Georgia has a long shoulder season. Fall and early spring evenings around Cartersville, Bartow County, and Cherokee County are often cool enough to want a fire but mild enough to sit outside. A fireplace stretches the months you can use your patio, so the space works for you most of the year instead of just summer.
Outdoor fireplace or fire pit: which is better?
| Outdoor fireplace | Fire pit | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | An outdoor living room, with seating facing the fire | Casual, circle-around gathering spot |
| Wind and smoke | Chimney draws smoke up and away; the structure blocks wind | Open on all sides; smoke follows the breeze |
| Heat | Directed toward the seating area | Spreads in every direction |
| Investment | Higher; a permanent masonry structure | Lower; smaller footprint |
| Best for | Patios, covered porches, and hosting | Open yards, families, roasting marshmallows |
If you want a quick, social spot for the kids and friends, a fire pit is hard to beat. We covered those in our guide to outdoor fire pits. If you want the patio to feel like a room, a fireplace is the better choice.
Where should an outdoor fireplace go?
- At the end of a patio, so it anchors the space and the seating faces it.
- Next to a covered porch, so you can enjoy it rain or shine. Some homeowners build the fireplace into the porch itself.
- Away from overhanging trees and a safe distance from the house and roof edges.
- With the view in mind. A fireplace can frame the backyard, or block a neighbor's view.
Always follow local code and fire safety guidance. The National Fire Protection Association is a good general resource on fire safety at home.
Wood-burning or gas?
Wood gives you the crackle and smell that most people picture. Gas lights with a switch and leaves no ashes. The right choice depends on how often you will use it and how much cleanup you want. Talk through both with your builder before the foundation is poured, since a gas line needs to be planned in.
What else pairs well with an outdoor fireplace?
Fireplaces are often the centerpiece of a larger outdoor living space. Common pairings include a stone or flagstone patio, an outdoor kitchen, a covered porch, landscape lighting, and seating walls. Benchmark Builders builds outdoor living spaces that include fireplaces, fire pits, patios, decks, pergolas, and outdoor kitchens.
When is the best time to build one?
Planning in the fall means you can be enjoying a fire by the next cool season. Masonry work can continue through much of the year in north Georgia, though hard freezes and heavy rain can pause some steps. A builder will schedule around the weather.
Benchmark Builders, Inc. is a Georgia State licensed and insured contractor led by founder and president Tom Carter. One client wrote that "Tom and his team are true craftsman." Browse completed patios and fireplaces in the portfolio.
Thinking about an outdoor fireplace? Call Tom Carter at 404-683-0824 or contact Benchmark Builders, Inc. We are at 202 Brown Loop NW, Cartersville, GA 30121, and serve Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, and surrounding north Georgia counties.
Frequently asked questions
Is an outdoor fireplace better than a fire pit?
It depends on how you use the space. A fireplace directs heat and smoke better and makes a patio feel like a room. A fire pit is more casual and costs less.
Can an outdoor fireplace go under a covered porch?
It can, when it is designed and built for that, with proper clearances and a chimney that vents correctly. Plan it with your builder from the start.
Should I choose wood-burning or gas?
Wood gives a traditional fire. Gas is easier to light and clean. If you want gas, the line should be planned before construction.
Does an outdoor fireplace add value to a home?
It adds usable outdoor living space and visual appeal, which many buyers notice. How much value it adds depends on the home and the market.
Does Benchmark Builders build outdoor fireplaces?
Yes. Fire pits and fireplaces are part of Benchmark Builders' outdoor living services. Call 404-683-0824 to talk about your yard.