Adding a seating and entertaining area to your yard can greatly enhance your landscaping and increase your enjoyment of the time you spend outdoors. An outdoor fireplace can provide a nice gathering spot, complete with flickering flames and a bit of warmth on cool evenings. Fireplace inserts are a great alternative to building a traditional fireplace from scratch. 

1. Fuel Options

Fireplace inserts are available in gas- or wood-burning options. A wood insert works just like any wood-burning fireplace, but gas is a great alternative fuel to consider. It burns cleanly while maintaining the look of a traditional fireplace. You can also operate it with the flip of a switch, so you won't have to deal with building or feeding a fire. If you already have gas run out to the patio for a grill or kitchen setup, it is only a minor issue to hook the insert into the existing gas line.

2. Easy Installation

Inserts can typically be put in much more easily compared to constructing a traditional fireplace. Some models are all-inclusive, including the chimney or vent depending on whether it is a wood or gas model. Others are designed to be inserted into a simple brick or stone fireplace housing. The type you choose depends on your style preferences and how much work you want to dedicate to the installation.

3. Adaptable Design

Inserts come in varieties that are virtually freestanding with an included surround, to those intended to be inserted into a housing of your choice. This means you can construct the surround for the insert to any design you like, you aren't limited by the available freestanding fireplace designs. Outdoors, brick, and stone insert surrounds are ideal, but you have the choice of brick or stone color and construction design.

4. Low Maintenance

Inserts, particularly gas inserts, require minimal maintenance. There are no ashes to clean up or chimneys to sweep. Other than an annual inspection of the gas line and valve, gas inserts are virtually maintenance-free. A wood-burning insert does need regular cleaning and sweeping, so it is not as low maintenance as the gas variety.

5. Quick Upgrade

If you have an existing outdoor fireplace that is no longer operational due to a crack firebox or chimney issues, an insert can provide a way to quickly upgrade it back into use without expensive and time-consuming repairs and rebuilding. You can simply slide an insert into the firebox. Choose one with its own chimney or vent pipe so you don't have to reline the chimney of the old fireplace.

Visit websites run by fireplace insert dealers or installers to read more about the available outdoor insert options.