Get matched with top outdoor kitchen pros in Ansonville, NC

A fireplace is, by definition, an enclosed space where you burn wood or other fuel for the purpose of generating light and heat. A firepit burns wood and is much less expensive to build, but they aren’t technically a fireplace as it isn’t enclosed. An outdoor oven—commonly outdoor brick pizza ovens—often uses wood as fuel, but its primary purpose is to cook food, and you’d rarely just burn wood inside them for warmth or aesthetic reasons.

In most cases, an outdoor kitchen will significantly increase your property value. Outdoor kitchens beautify your yard and add utility to it, not only for you to enjoy but also to entice buyers to offer more for your home. Opting for higher-quality materials and a professional installation will make a big difference in terms of the return on investment from your outdoor kitchen installation. The only exception is if your outdoor kitchen takes up a large portion of your yard, which could be seen as a drawback to some people.

While it is possible to do this kind of project at any point in the year, save it for the mildest parts of winter if you can. That way, your backyard won’t be under construction during prime grilling season. Plus, contractors tend to be less busy on outdoor projects then, so you might get a better deal and the installation might take less time.

The decision to make or buy your outdoor pizza oven depends on your personal preferences, budget, and time. If you pay a professional to build a custom pizza oven, the cost will likely be higher than retail costs. If you purchase materials to create an oven, you can typically build an elaborate one for less money, but there’s a risk that you’ll injure yourself or make a costly building error.