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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.

Cobblestone fell out of favor with the advent of motor vehicles. Asphalt and concrete are both much smoother surfaces allowing for a smoother ride. Asphalt is also much cheaper, especially for driveways. However, we didn’t stop using cobblestone altogether, and you can still see it as a decorative option in both homes, in parks, and in pedestrianized areas of cities.

A traditional German schmear uses mortar, making it unsuitable for adherence to painted surfaces. Professionals recommend removing any existing paint before applying mortar. However, you can rough up the painted surface and clean it to test if the mortar will stick. Remember that the underlying paint's texture and color may affect the schmear's final appearance—so starting with a bare brick wall will ensure the ideal finish.

Fireclay is a type of clay but it is a type of clay that, because of its chemical composition, can be fired at a much higher temperature than other clays. This results in a denser and more heat-resistant final material. Because of the high percentage of a mineral called kaolin, fireclay sinks are smoother and more durable than other clay types.