Outdoor fireplace design?

I purchased a firebox to install to create an outdoor gas fireplace on my wooden deck, but I am having trouble figuring out how to design the exterior of the fireplace (to cover the metal box part). The firebox will be on top of the wooden deck. I like the look of rock, but don't know how great an idea that is on top of a wooden deck? The deck is covered, but not enclosed, if that makes a difference. Any ideas or suggestions?

Public Comments

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2. Soapstone. It's heat resistant and you can carve it yourself or have someone do that for any custom designs. OR you can do the rock look too with it. There are soap stone dealers on the internet just do a yahoo seearch for them. you can buy it by the piece, slab, tile, etc
3. rock would be fine but you may have a weight problem. manufactured stone is about half the weight and looks real. it goes on piece by piece with mortar so it's really hard to tell the difference, but it's fairly simple to install. check out Arrowhead or Coronodo stone. Also, is the firebox/logs you purchased listed for outdoor use? if not you may have a rust problem :( Being covered helps but they are not designed to withstand normal humidity/condensation that comes with being exposed to the open air.