Outdoor Fireplaces & Fire Pits in
Maryland, Virginia & Washington D.C.
4.8 Stars • 500+ Reviews • Family Owned since 1982
There’s something about an outdoor fire that draws people together. In the Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C. region, mild springs and crisp falls give you more outdoor living time than you might expect. A well-designed fire feature can extend your season well into November and make every evening outdoors feel like it was worth the investment.
Priddy Chimney Solutions designs and builds outdoor fireplaces and fire pits with the same masonry expertise we’ve applied to chimneys and indoor fireplaces since 1982. That means proper construction, durable materials, and a finished result that fits your space and holds up over time.
Outdoor Fireplaces and Firepits
Adding an outdoor fire feature involves more decisions than most homeowners expect. The right fireplace depends on how you use your outdoor space, your maintenance preferences, and how the feature will complement your home’s architecture.
Before settling on a design, there are a few key choices that will shape the project:
Fireplace or Firepit?
An outdoor fireplace is a larger, more architectural feature. It works best when there’s enough space for it to anchor a seating area without overwhelming the yard, and it tends to complement homes where the outdoor space is an extension of a more formal interior. You see them most often in larger yards and newer subdivisions where the outdoor living area was designed as part of the home from the start.
A fire pit fits a wider range of properties. It has a more relaxed, informal feel, takes up less footprint, and works just as well in a townhome courtyard as it does in a large backyard. The circular layout encourages conversation from all sides rather than directing attention toward a single focal point. For homeowners who want a fire feature without committing to a large masonry structure, a fire pit is often the right starting point.
Wood Burning or Gas?
Wood-burning features provide the traditional experience most people picture when they think of an outdoor fire. The sound, the smell, and the ambiance are difficult to replicate. The tradeoff is that wood requires storage, ash management, and more attention during use.
Gas features offer instant heat with minimal maintenance. There’s no wood to manage, no ash to clean up, and operation is as simple as turning a switch. The flame is consistent and controllable, which some homeowners prefer for everyday use.
The right choice depends on how often you plan to use the feature and how much maintenance you’re willing to take on. If you use your outdoor space frequently and want something convenient, gas is worth considering. If the ritual of building a fire is part of the appeal, wood-burning is hard to replace.
Freestanding Gas Unit or Outdoor Fireplace?
Outdoor fire features span a wide range, from a freestanding gas fire table that requires no construction to a full custom masonry fireplace built into a covered outdoor room. Where your project falls on that spectrum depends on your budget, how permanently you want the feature integrated into your outdoor space, and how much design flexibility you need.
At the simpler end, gas fire tables and prefabricated fire pit inserts are a good fit for homeowners who want an outdoor fire feature without a major construction project. They can be installed quickly, work well on existing patios, and still create a meaningful gathering space. Priddy Chimney Solutions can supply freestanding units and install hardscaping to create the outdoor living area.
In the middle range, prefabricated fireplace and fire pit systems with custom stone or masonry surrounds offer a more permanent, finished look without the cost and timeline of fully custom construction. The firebox or burner is manufactured, but the surrounding materials are selected and built on-site to complement your home and hardscape.
At the higher end, fully custom masonry fireplaces and fire pits are designed and built from the ground up. This is where the project becomes a true outdoor room. A covered pavilion or gazebo with a built-in fireplace, a stone patio with a fire pit surrounded by integrated seating walls, or a sunken fire pit with hardscaping that ties the entire backyard together. These projects require more planning, more coordination, and more investment, but the result is an outdoor space that functions and feels like an extension of the home rather than an add-on to it.
Priddy Chimney Solutions works across this full range. During the initial consultation, we’ll help you understand which approach fits your goals, your space, and your budget.
Ready to Add an Outdoor Fire Feature to Your Home?
Contact us to schedule a consultation and we’ll walk you through the options.
Why Priddy for Your Outdoor Fireplaces or Firepit?
There are a lot of contractors who can do hardscape work. Fewer understand what it actually takes to build a fireplace that performs well and lasts.
Here’s what we bring to every outdoor project:
- Fireplace expertise since 1982, applied to every outdoor project we build.
- Masons with decades of experience matching brick, stone, and mortar to existing structures so the finished feature looks like it belongs.
- Access to professional-grade fireplace brands that aren’t available through big box retailers or standard landscape contractors.
- Your project stays with Priddy’s people from start to finish. We don’t hand it off to a subcontracted crew and move on.
Customer Reviews
Talk to a Chimney and Fireplace Expert
Whether you’re considering a simple fire table for an existing patio or a full custom masonry fireplace, Priddy Chimney Solutions can help you figure out what makes sense for your space. To get in touch with us, call 301-530-4262 or schedule an appointment online.
Priddy Chimney Solutions is fully licensed and insured. We have been performing chimney rebuilds across the DMV region since 1982.