When building their getaway home at Ware Branch, Herman and Mary Schrader included four fireplaces inside as well as one on the patio with its view of the lake.

"It's a way we can enjoy the porch during the winter," said Mr. Schrader.

Buyers can find plenty of options in outdoor fireplaces.

"They come in all sizes, shapes and colors," said Clay Dennis, owner of Southern Hearth and Patio on Lee Highway.

Here are a few things to consider before making a purchase.

* Freestanding or built-in?

Freestanding firepits save on the cost of installation, but be careful when selecting one, Mr. Dennis said. Quality can vary widely, and you get what you pay for, he said, with some lasting just a few years.

* Where will it go?

The No. 1 rule when choosing a woodburning fireplace is to never install it on a wood deck.

"People just don't understand conductive and radiant heating," Mr. Dennis said. "Both can catch a deck on fire. There's more than just sparks that can cause a fire."

Woodburning units must be placed on concrete patios or in a cleared space in the yard.

Gas fireplaces can be installed on most any surface because most freestanding gas units are designed with good air flow beneath them, Mr. Dennis said. Fire rings can even lie flush with a deck and can be backfilled with tumbled glass or fake stones.

* Why choose gas?

The benefits of gas fireplaces include an automatic shut-off, automatic pilot relight, ease of installation and more heat with a vented, built-in style.

* Why choose woodburning?

The main reason may be the ambiance. For some folks, it's hard to beat the natural beauty and smell of a real wood fire.

"Just be sure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines," Mr. Dennis said. "Most now use tested materials" to increase safety.

* Any final precautions?

Mr. Dennis said the flue needs to terminate no less than 10 feet from the roof and all other parts of the structure to keep the area from filling up with smoke.

"If it terminates too close to the house, the fireplace will not draw," he said.

Also, a woodburning fireplace should include a substantial hearth to catch sparks and burning logs that may roll out.

"And never, ever, put any kind of fireplace -- gas or woodburning -- under a roof with no chimney," Mr. Dennis warned.

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