Screened Porch Fireplace Ideas That Make It Cozy

The best screened porch fireplace is the one your porch can actually support. Choose the fuel first (gas or electric for most porches, wood only if the structure and local code allow it), then size the firebox to the room, then pick weather-tolerant finishes.

Get those three decisions right and the rest is styling. A fireplace also decides where everyone sits, so it's worth planning the layout around it from the start.

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Which fuel works best on a screened porch?

Each fuel is a trade-off between atmosphere, upkeep and how much construction it needs.

• Wood-burning gives the best crackle and heat, but it needs a full chimney, regular cleaning and a floor that can carry masonry weight.
• Gas is clean and easy to switch on. It needs a gas line and a vent, so plan for a licensed installer.
• Electric is the simplest to retrofit and has no venting, but it gives off the least real heat.

Before you buy anything, check your local building code. Chimney height and distance from the roofline are often regulated, and a porch floor built as a deck may need reinforcing. As an architect, I recommend asking a structural engineer to look at any porch before you put a masonry fireplace on it.

What size fireplace suits your porch?

A firebox that is too small looks like an afterthought, and one that is too big eats the seating area. On a mid-sized porch, a wider firebox in the range of 36-42 inches usually reads as proportionate. On a small porch, a wall-mounted gas or electric unit saves floor space and still gives you a focal point.

If you're planning a TV above the fire, read how to mount a TV on a stone fireplace first. Heat and viewing height both matter there.

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What is the best material for a porch fireplace surround?

Porches see humidity, temperature swings and sometimes freezing weather, so choose materials rated for exterior use. Three options hold up well:

• A natural stone fireplace surround, in full stone or thin veneer, gives the weight of a traditional chimney. Veneer needs far less structural support than full-depth stone.
• A porcelain tile fireplace surround is dense and low-maintenance. Large-format slabs can look like concrete or marble for a modern porch.
• Brick is forgiving, classic and easy to live with in rustic or farmhouse settings.

Whatever you choose, ask your supplier whether the product is rated for exterior use and for the heat near the firebox. Heat resistant fireplace tile and exterior-grade mortar matter most close to the opening, and in cold climates the mortar also has to survive freeze-thaw cycles.

For inspiration on stone looks, see these river rock fireplace ideas and white stone fireplace ideas.

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Hearth and mantel ideas

A raised hearth does double duty as extra seating when friends come over. Many people make it somewhere around 12-18 inches high, which is close to a normal seat height. Stone slabs and large porcelain tiles both work for fireplace hearth tile ideas, and a matte or textured finish is a better choice than polished on a surface that may get damp.

For the mantel, a chunky reclaimed beam adds warmth against cool stone. If it's wood, use a rot-resistant species such as cedar or teak, since it will live in humid air. For a modern porch, a floating stone shelf or a thin steel ledge is cleaner. Give the mantel enough depth, about 6-8 inches, if you want to hold lanterns.

Carrying the finish up to the ceiling makes a porch with exposed rafters feel taller. If you like clean, low lines instead, the mid-century modern fireplace ideas are a good reference.

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How should you arrange seating around a porch fireplace?

Leave about 36 inches for a walkway behind the seating, and keep furniture at the clearance distances given in your fireplace manufacturer's instructions. A rug that holds at least the front legs of every seat ties the group together, and on a porch it should be an outdoor rug that can be hosed off.

Swivel chairs are a smart pick here. Guests can face the fire, then turn toward the house. For more layout principles, see how to arrange living room furniture with a fireplace and TV, which applies to a porch too.

If a dog shares the porch, pick performance fabrics that tolerate moisture, and keep paws and tails away from the hearth. Pets and open flames are worth a chat with your installer, and a screen or glass front is a sensible choice.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Ignoring wind. On an exposed porch, smoke can blow back through the screens, so a gas unit with a glass front is calmer than an open wood fire.
• Using a shallow firebox with wood. Embers and ash can drift onto rugs when a breeze comes through.
• Relying on the fire as the only light. Add dimmable sconces beside the fireplace and a lamp or two for evenings.
• Skipping outlets. Put one near the mantel for string lights and a couple near the floor.
• Choosing stone from a photo. Look at samples in person, in the porch's own light, next to your siding.

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Style variations for different porches

On a small urban porch, skip the chimney and mount a slim gas or electric unit on the wall with two armchairs and a bistro table. A farmhouse porch suits brick or fieldstone, a rough timber mantel and a wicker sofa with thick cushions. A modern porch looks best with a linear gas fireplace in large porcelain panels, low furniture and very little on the mantel.

For the walls on either side of the fireplace, these ideas for decorating the wall beside a fireplace carry over well.

Finish the room with a heavy knit throw on each chair and a few potted plants. Check with your vet before bringing in any plant if a dog or cat uses the porch.

Frequently asked questions