We love hearing about the whole project

When a customer reaches out to us at Trendz Fireplaces, it’s rarely just about choosing a fireplace. More often, it’s part of a bigger vision, whether that’s a full new home build, a landscaping overhaul, or the finishing touches to an outdoor living space that’s been months (or years) in the making.

We love being involved from the start. Looking over plans, understanding the layout, and getting a feel for your style, scale, and outdoor flow helps us recommend the fireplace model that will elevate the space, not just fit it. Our team has worked alongside architects, landscapers, and builders for almost two decades, and we’re always happy to share the knowledge we’ve picked up along the way.

Below are a few of the common planning questions we get, and some guidance to help you make decisions early in the process (before any costly changes become necessary later).

Fireplace + Louvre Roof

Yes, you can absolutely install a fireplace beneath a louvre or fixed roof structure.
However, placement makes a big difference.

If the fireplace sits directly beneath a roofline opening, it will require a triple skin flue to meet safety compliance and prevent heat transfer. These additional components are possible, but they do come at a higher cost. Often, shifting the fireplace back just a metre or two outside the immediate roof coverage avoids the need for a triple skin system; saving time, cost, and structural complexity.

Either way the Trendz team are here to chat through the options with you.

Fireplace + Timber Decking

Fireplaces and wooden decks are a popular pairing, and yes - they can safely co-exist. There are just a few things to factor in early:

• Weight: some fireplaces weigh over 1 tonne, so structural support and footings are essential.
• Deck height: lower decks are generally easier to work with than raised ones.
• Non-combustible materials: a designated area in front of the fire must be heat-resistant and compliant, this could be; concrete, tiles, stone or fire-rated board depending on your design.
  
  

Planning these elements early ensures your deck and fireplace work seamlessly together, rather than being retrofitted around each other.

Fireplace + Swimming Pool

Fireplaces are a stunning feature beside a pool, but pool compliance rules need to be considered.

The key factor: climbability.
A fireplace cannot be positioned in a way that allows it to be used as an access point over a compliant pool fence. This means it must sit at least 900mm in Australia and 1200mm in New Zealand, of the outside of the pool fence/barrier (refer to the Non Climbable Zone (NCZ).

Some models, such as the Burton without hearth, naturally mitigate this issue due to their shape, giving more flexibility in placement. Or changing the position as shown below, with a Douglas and 800mm woodboxes.

The earlier you ask, the easier it is.

Whether you’re planning a pool, deck, outdoor kitchen or pergola, your outdoor fireplace should complement the space, not complicate it. A quick plan review early in the process can prevent design clashes, compliance headaches, or unexpected costs later.

So if you’re dreaming up an outdoor space and a fireplace is part of that vision, we’d love to see the whole plan.