Fireplaces & Fire Pits
Fireplaces & Fire Pits
Built in stone, built to draw properly.
Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits in Lexington, KY
An outdoor fireplace is a real masonry structure with a real flue, and the difference between one that draws cleanly and one that smokes everybody out is in proportions that were worked out long before any of us were born. Fire pits are simpler, cheaper, and often the better answer.
Fireplace or fire pit
A fire pit is social — people sit around it in a circle, it costs a fraction as much, and it works in the middle of a patio. A fireplace is architectural — it anchors one side of a space, blocks wind, throws heat in one direction, and gives you a mantel and a chimney.
Households that want a gathering point usually get more use out of a well-placed pit. Households that want an outdoor room with a wall usually want the fireplace.
Why some outdoor fireplaces smoke
Because the firebox opening is too large relative to the flue, or the flue is too short, or the smoke chamber and throat are the wrong shape. These proportions are established masonry practice and they are not guesswork — but they are frequently ignored on outdoor builds because “it is outside, it will be fine.”
It is not fine. A fireplace that smokes at the opening is unpleasant to sit at and difficult to correct after the fact.
Materials and firebox construction
- Firebrick and refractory mortar in the firebox — ordinary brick and mortar fail under heat
- Natural limestone, cut stone, or veneer on the exterior to match the house or hardscape
- A proper flue, cap, and spark arrestor
- Hearth extension sized so embers land on masonry, not on decking
- Gas line rough-in if you may ever want it — far cheaper now than later
Placement, clearances, and burn rules
Distance from structures, from property lines, and from anything overhead — including tree canopy and any roof or pergola above — all matter, and local rules on open burning apply to outdoor fireplaces and pits.
Confirm requirements with Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government before building. Where a structure requires a permit, we handle it as part of the project.
Common questions
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government publishes local government services and contact information for the area.
Can a fire pit go on my existing patio?
Usually yes, provided the base can carry the weight and clearances work. A heavy masonry pit on an unreinforced paver field can settle unevenly, so it is worth checking first.
Wood or gas?
Wood for the experience, gas for convenience and control. Gas also sidesteps most smoke and ember concerns, which matters on tight lots with close neighbours.
Why does my outdoor fireplace smoke?
Almost always proportions — firebox opening too large for the flue, or a flue that is too short. Sometimes it is downdraft from a nearby roof or tree. Both are worth diagnosing before anyone rebuilds anything.
Do I need a permit?
For a masonry fireplace with a chimney, frequently yes. For a simple fire pit, often not, though burn rules still apply. We check locally as part of the design.
Related: patios and walkways · stone veneer · cost guide. Back to Lexington Masonry Pros.
Lexington Masonry Pros · Serving Lexington, Nicholasville, Georgetown, Versailles & Fayette County, KY · Call or text (859) 310-1209
Last updated August 2026