Outdoor Rooms are flourishing from sea to shining sea (or from Maine to Washington, if you prefer). Sales of outdoor furniture and outdoor kitchens are being propelled by that trend, as are sales of outdoor fireplaces, but to a very limited extent.

Total wood-burning and gas factory-built outdoor built-in and freestanding fireplaces were up more than 52 percent in 2013, according to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, but that number still equals only 10 percent of the total 2013 sales of wood and gas indoor models, up from nine percent in 2012. As with indoor units, natural gas and LP models dominate the outdoor scene, capturing 82 percent of the outdoor fireplace market in 2013. Through the third quarter of 2014, sales of gas outdoor models were up 46 percent while wood-burning units increased by only seven percent.

The Venetian from Innovative Hearth Products.

“Sales of outdoor fireplaces are good,” says Bob Ballard, senior vice president of Marketing for Hearth & Home Technologies. “We continue to see percentage growth that is as strong as sales of our indoor fireplaces. But the percentage of growth in outdoor units is almost irrelevant because the numbers are relatively small.”

“Sales of our outdoor models have definitely jumped in the last two years,” says Nick Bauer, President of Empire Comfort Systems. “It’s absolutely a growing category for us. We’re seeing good traction with homebuilders and also in the commercial and hospitality markets.”

“Anything in the Outdoor Room market is growing,” says Glenn Thomson, vice president of Sales for Innovative Hearth Products. “Our percentage of sales of outdoor fireplaces continues to grow, but on much smaller sales numbers than our indoor models.

“We’re seeing a growing number of large homebuilders putting in outdoor fireplaces as a standard feature. But the majority of consumer purchases are going to fire pits that they can take home and install. Most don’t realize how easy it is to put in an outdoor fireplace.” IHP offers eight models of gas units, 16 wood versions and 12 vent-free models.

Stone Arch fireplace from The Outdoor GreatRoom Company.

“Sales of outdoor fireplaces began growing again in 2013,” says Ross Johnson, Sales and Marketing manager for The Outdoor GreatRoom Company. “Sales had dropped off from 2009 through 2011 during the recession because of the high prices at the time, $2,000 to $5,000.” Linear gas models are the most popular in the company’s line of outdoor gas fireplaces.

Masonry modular outdoor fireplaces are also experiencing strong growth, says Bill Harris, managing partner of Masonry Fireplace Industries. “Since the recession, sales have been doing very well. Our outdoor models are up more than 30 percent this year. We’re more focused on outdoor models, and they now represent 45 percent of our total fireplace sales.”

But not everyone sees factory-built outdoor fireplaces as a growing category.

“Those saying that outdoor fireplaces are growing don’t know what they’re talking about,” says Neil Green, Marketing manager for Kingsman Fireplaces. “We don’t see the demand, and we don’t see outdoor fireplaces growing much. They are not living up to expectations. Fire pits are growing much faster. We think most outdoor fireplaces are being built on site by a landscape architect or mason rather than being purchased through a retailer. Factory-built outdoor fireplaces are just not a big segment of the hearth market.”

Manufacturers that are seeing sales growth in outdoor fireplaces continue to add new models, particularly larger models with more contemporary looks and more whistles and bells.

“We’re seeing significant growth in outdoor fireplaces, particularly where residential new construction is on the rise,” says Jess Baldwin, senior vice president of Sales and Customer Service for the Vermont Castings Group. “We anticipate that growth to continue, especially with more homebuilders now including patios in new homes.

Model GSS48 Galaxy outdoor fireplace from Napoleon Fireplaces.

“The bulk of our offerings are mid-priced models in 36- and 42-in. sizes with more traditional styling, but we’re seeing a trend toward a more contemporary look, particularly the burn and the media, such as glass. We’re also starting to see interest in interior lighting. Builders and consumers are more aware of what can now be done with outdoor fireplaces in styling and features.” The Vermont Castings Group will be introducing new outdoor models in the second quarter of 2015.

Napoleon Fireplaces is seeing its outdoor gas fireplace sales growing and doing “very well,” according to Stephen Schroeter, senior vice president of Sales and Marketing, along with a trend toward linear styling.

“We’re seeing some homebuilders now looking to spec outdoor fireplaces in their new homes,” he says. Napoleon’s new Galaxy 48 Linear Outdoor Fireplace features interior lighting in a “full spectrum” of colors. Available in single-sided and double-sided, see-through models, these stainless-steel fireplaces have Topaz Crystaline glass ember beds, a glass wind deflector to ensure operation in windy conditions, and electronic ignition to light its 55,000 Btus.  

Unlike most fireplace manufacturers that offer a stainless-steel, factory-built firebox that can be finished on site, RH Peterson offers its outdoor gas fireplaces as complete but KD units, ready to have their glass fiber-reinforced concrete panels bolted together on site in the company’s American Fyre Design line.

The American Fyre Designs Grand Mariposa outdoor fireplace from RH Peterson.

“This is a relatively new category for us, but it’s a great fit, and we’re very pleased with the sales,” says Bob Dischner, senior vice president of Marketing. “Sales are strong, but the numbers are not as big as for our fire pits. Our models tend to be more traditional, but we’re looking at more modern styling with simpler shapes and glass media.” New for Peterson are its two sizes of Firefall gas models, smaller outdoor fireplaces featuring colored lighting and a water feature.

Empire Comfort Systems has introduced its Outdoor Linear See-Through Fireplace, a 48-in. linear model, into its Carol Rose Collection. (Note: Carol Rose is a 54-year employee of the company.) This stainless-steel model features LED lighting in seven colors wrapped around the burner, colors that can be rotated or combined for 1,000 color options. Although 36- and 42-in. models are the most popular for Empire Comfort Systems, the company will introduce a 60-in. model in the second quarter of 2015.

“As manufacturers, we tend to oversell features as we try to compete,” says Nick Bauer, “but some consumers want the latest and coolest while others just want simple.”

Hearth & Home Technologies (HHT), offering both wood and gas models, sees trends in outdoor fireplaces similar to trends in indoor models, with clean linear styling becoming more prevalent as well as contemporary media.

“That’s why we think sales of outdoor models will grow,” says Bob Ballard. “Consumers are looking to enhance their outdoor space and make it as livable as inside, giving them a seamless experience from inside to outside.” HHT, too, sees increasing sales of outdoor models to homebuilders.

“As the housing market comes back, custom builders are looking to add value and differentiate themselves,” says Ballard, who also recommends that retailers take advantage of this trend by partnering with high-end builders and landscape architects. HHT will add new outdoor models in mid-2015.

Villa gas 36-in. fireplace from Hearth & Home Technologies.

Masonry Fireplace Industries is seeing a trend toward larger models in its Mason-Lite brand of modular masonry models. “Sales of our 60- and 72-in. models have picked up quite a bit,” says Bill Harris, “but our 48-in. models are the most popular.”

The company’s largest fireplace was a 30-ft. – yes, 30 ft. – linear gas unit combining 13-ft. indoors and 17-ft. outdoors, separated by high temperature glass. “A lot of our customers are also masons,” he says, “and they’ve found these modular models require a lot less labor than units built from scratch on site.”

The numbers may be relatively small, but most manufacturers regard outdoor fireplaces as a growth product tying in to the Outdoor Room craze. It seems as if these models are a natural for hearth dealers, extending their sales into the off-season for indoor hearth products, and offering new opportunities with landscape architects and homebuilders.

Model OFP42 outdoor fireplace from Kingsman Fireplaces.

Legislative Actions and Approvals for Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits

Until fairly recently, outdoor fireplaces and fire pits were not targets for regulatory efforts. However, now the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is continuing to attempt to include all gas hearth products under its newly-proposed rules, including outdoor products such as fire pits, fireplaces, patio heaters and perhaps even gas grills, according to the HPBA.

The DOE’s Dec. 31, 2013, Proposed Determination of Hearth Products as Covered Consumer Products seeks to cover all gas-fired hearth appliances – anything with an exposed flame. There is now no published timetable for the next steps in this rulemaking, but the HPBA’s associate director of Government Affairs, Ryan Carroll, expects the new DOE rulemaking “perhaps by mid-2015,” followed by a 60-day public comment period.

Outdoor Fireplace Approvals

Some fireplace manufacturers have tested and listed indoor fireplaces for outdoor use. The safety standards used are the CSA Requirement 4.96 U.S. for Outdoor Gas Fireplaces, UL 2312 Standard for Power Outlets and ANSI Z21.88 Gas Fireplace Heaters. Each fireplace manufacturer has its own specifics, but this listing requires that the fireplace be installed in an outdoor area protected from direct water impingement.  

In addition to maintaining listed mantel and combustibles clearances, a rain protection overhang factor of 0.5 (i.e. 0.5 feet of overhang for every 1.0 foot of roofline elevation above the hearth) shall be constructed to the front and to each side of the installed appliance. In addition, all wiring connections to line power shall be in accordance with outdoor requirements NECA BFPA 70.

Fire Pit and Fire Table Approvals

Most gas outdoor fire features, such as fire pits and fire tables, are tested and listed to ANSI Z21.97 or CSA 2.41 for Outdoor Decorative Gas Appliances. There are no testing standards specifically for wood-burning fire pits.