Service 03
Custom Stone Fireplaces & Fire Pits in East Texas
Fire is the centerpiece of an East Texas outdoor space. We build full stone fireplaces and lower-profile firepits — masonry from foundation to chimney, sized for the space and the weather. Wood-burning or gas, sit-and-watch or cook-over, free-standing or built into a covered patio. The element that holds an evening together.
What it is
A real outdoor fireplace is a structural build: foundation, firebox lined with firebrick and refractory mortar, masonry chimney sized for proper draft, and a finished surround in stone or brick. We build them as one piece with the patio they sit on. A firepit is the lower-profile cousin — circular or rectangular, gas or wood, with a stone surround that reads as part of the hardscape.
The choice between a fireplace and a firepit usually comes down to space, sightlines, and how you'll use it. We talk through both.
Why it matters
Fire holds an outdoor space the way nothing else does. The smell of woodsmoke, the rhythm of light on stone, the gathering pull — it's the difference between a patio and a place people actually spend the evening. Built right, in real masonry, it lasts longer than the house.
How we approach fire features
The full project sequence is on the process page. Within that, the fire features stage moves through four steps:
- 01
Placement
Sight lines, smoke direction relative to prevailing wind, proximity to the home, code clearances.
- 02
Sizing and spec
Fireplace vs. firepit, fuel type, chimney height, firebox dimensions, cooking surface if wanted.
- 03
Foundation and firebox
Engineered pour, firebrick interior, refractory mortar, drainage details if the firebox is exposed.
- 04
Surround and finish
Stone selection, hearth, mantel detail, cure firings to settle the masonry before regular use.
Common questions about fire features
The questions homeowners around Cedar Creek Lake ask most often. If yours isn't here, the consultation walk is the right place to bring it.
- Should I build a fireplace or a firepit?
- Fireplaces are bigger builds — vertical mass, a chimney, often a focal wall of stone. They hold heat directionally and read as architectural. Firepits are lower-profile, more social (people sit on all sides), and easier to fit into smaller patios. We've built both side-by-side on the same property. The best answer depends on the gathering style you want.
- Wood-burning or gas — which is better?
- Wood gives you the real fire — smell, crackle, slow burn, cooking option. Gas gives you on-demand fire with a clean button and no firewood storage. Most clients on the lake want wood for the experience and add a gas starter for convenience. Both work; the masonry is the same. Picking is a lifestyle question, not a quality one.
- How close to the house can an outdoor fireplace be built?
- Code clearances vary by jurisdiction and fuel type. As a rule of thumb: at least three feet from any combustible surface, with proper chimney height above the roofline if the fireplace is near the house. We handle the code review during design and build to spec. You should not be the one chasing inspector questions.
- Can I cook on the fireplace or firepit?
- Yes — and many clients want exactly that. We can build a fireplace with a built-in cooking grate (Tuscan-style), a swing-arm grill, or a side-mounted pizza shelf. A firepit can take a removable cooking grate easily. We design the cooking surface in during planning so the materials and clearances are right from day one.
- Does a wood-burning fireplace work in a covered outdoor space?
- Yes, but the design has to be right. The chimney must rise above the roof eave and clear any overhead obstruction by code; the firebox needs proper draw; and combustible covered materials need clearance. We've built wood-burning fireplaces under pavilions and pergolas — it is doable, it just has to be planned, not retrofitted.
- How long does a stone fireplace build take?
- Fireplace and firepit timelines are driven by scope (firepit vs. full fireplace with chimney and surround), the stone source and lead time, weather during the cure, and whether the build is integrating into existing hardscape or going up alongside a new patio. Mortar cures on its own schedule and we do not rush it. We share a firm schedule at design.
Often built with this
All services →Ready to talk about fire features?
A design consultation starts with a walk of the property and a conversation about scope, materials, and budget. Family-owned business in Mabank — same crew from consult to reveal.