A natural gas fireplace gives more warmth than an electrical fireplace because it produces an actual flame. A natural gas fireplace will also give you warmth when you have a power cut. The electrical one will not work at that time.

An electrical fireplace is easier to install as the natural gas fireplace needs to be connected to the gas line and it’s not an easy process. An electrical fireplace can also be carried when you move but a natural gas fireplace is a permanent fixture.

So, now you know the pros and cons of both the fireplaces. You can decide which one you want to go for.

The small objects like match-sticks, lighter, etc used to lit fire should be placed out of reach from the child. Fire tools like the tong, poker and brush should not be placed in a way that the child can reach to it and knock it over.

Fire guards are available of different qualities; chose the best one which stays cool and would not burn your child if he/she touches it. The hearth of the fireplace is not safe as the surface is hard and sharp. Keeping a gate would at the fire guard will protect the child from the fireplace. Fireplace is not good for a small child, whether it be burning or not, so keep them away.

At places which receive excessive rain or snow, stone fireplaces are ideal as stone does not spoil. Stones are also a good choice because they come in a lot of natural varieties and a wide range of colours. This helps in achieving an innovative design. Apart from stone, metal or wood can also be used to design a fireplace; however the maintenance of these materials takes a great effort and time.

The very first thing you need to do is to get a patch of unused land. Then, clear up the area and pick up a pen and paper. It would be necessary to draw a rough plan of the structure you want to build. However, make sure to note down the exact measurement of the structure you have in mind. This would help the brick supplier to estimate the amount of bricks you would require.

The next step is to tighten the loose soil and place bricks on it in a set of 3 since the front wall of the fireplace has to be left open. You can place two bricks instead of one if you wish to thicken the walls all the while applying thin coats of mortar between the bricks. Once you have got the desired height take a metal sheet and make a notch in it to allow the smoke to pass and now attach this metal sheet to the fireplace using thin layer of mortar to allow the smoke to pass through the chimney.

The chimney is very important in this respect. This is owing to the fact that the chimney is responsible for throwing the harmful and waste air outside the system. The chimney also helps protect the mantelpiece and its surrounding areas from getting damaged due to the intense heat produced by the fireplace.

There are several layers of the chimney. The innermost layer of the chimney is the flues. This is also the most important part of the chimney since it contains the necessary combustible components. In case of wood burning, creosote gets deposited in the flues. This leads to clogging and thus the smoke cannot pass. Therefore it is very important to take good care of the flues to avoid any inconvenience.

However, it is important to keep in mind that plan and design of the structure must be foolproof. You must plan the structure in such a manner that the smoke goes out without any obstruction, and the design should be one that reflects your personality.

In the recent times, chimeneas have become very popular. These are basically Mexican chimney pots which beautifully enhance the beauty of the area. The most contemporary designs include a single pot with just one outlet, which in turn is joined with a cluster of chimneys.

It is always safer to start of with the set-up of temporary outdoor fireplaces since you can get rid of them if you don’t like them. There are many varieties of temporary fireplaces available in the market. For example, you can try out the aluminum or copper ones that have cages in them to hold the wood.

Chimeneas are also very popular. They are typically made of clay and have a large front part which opens into a narrow pipe like structure which shoots upwards.

There are many who prefer to have permanent fireplaces instead of the temporary ones. They can choose from various outdoor fireplace materials such as cement, stone etc. Various shapes and designs are also available.