A fire pit is becoming one of the most popular additions to people’s backyards.
And at this time of year, you may be considering it too. After all, the nights are longer now, and the daylight is lasting until the evening. However, once the sun goes down it can get chilly. That’s why a fire pit could be the best option for your yard and the best part is that they can easily be installed yourself. Here’s everything you need to know about choosing and installing a fire pit.
The Benefits of Owning A Fire Pit
Everyone’s yard needs an exciting focal point. Some people choose to install water features and others include a built in barbecue for cookouts in the summer. However, nothing extends the use of your yard or looks quite as attractive as a fire pit.
Throw a few logs or light the pit, and you have an outdoor fireplace that’s ready to go. Even if the sun has gone down and the temperature has cooled, that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy your yard or all of your hard work that went into creating it. With a good fire pit, you can enjoy the warm summer nights with good friends and family, all in the glow of the fire.
How to Choose A Fire Pit
Before you even hit the stores, you need to think about what fire pit is right for you. There are all kinds of options, so make sure you’re getting the fire pit you really want. You’ll need to consider:
Portable or static: You may not even need to install a fire pit at all. Decide on whether you want a pit you could move around if needed or one that will become a permanent feature of your hard. Alternatively, you can build your own fire pit. This has the advantage of being built exactly to your specifications.
Circular or square: Most fire pits come in these two shapes. As a general rule, circular pits are better for portable ones, and square ones are best as static pits.
Wood burning or gas: What you pick will depend on your preferences. Wood burning creates a great smell and can be cheaper, but a gas fire can be more reliable. It really is up to you and which you would prefer.
Materials: You have a variety of choices when it comes to what your fire pit is made from. There are stainless steel and stone, which both look great but are heavier. This means they’re better for static pits. Copper and tiles can add a decorative touch to a smaller pit. Top tip: take a look at images online before you decide.
Safety First
Another concern you need to keep in mind is safety. A fire pit will pose a risk of burns when you use it as well damage to your property, so when it’s being installed be sure to take some precautions. Don’t let this put you off installing your fire pit, though. There’s no reason why, as if you’re careful the fire pit could be as safe as anything else in your yard.
First of all, get in touch with your local home owner’s association or governing body. They may well have restrictions on what kind of fire pits can be used in your home and area.
It’s a good idea to buy a fire extinguisher and keep it close by, in the case of any accidents. Thankfully, this should be a rare occurrence.
If you use artificial grass in your yard, you’ll need to pick a spot that’s far away from your lawn. An artificial lawn can be damaged by errant sparks, so keep it away to avoid any fire damage.
Remember that you’ll need proper ventilation. Pick a spot that is not enclosed. When choosing your placement, make sure that it will be at least 10 feet from any other structure, and anything else flammable. Check the installation instructions with your fire pit for anything else you may need to know.
How to Install A Fire Pit
There are different ways to installing a fire pit, depending on what materials you’re using. If you want to create your own fire pit from stone, it’ll take some building work but it’s quite easily done. This website has several ideas for how you’d go about building your very own pit.
If you buy a prefabricated fire pit, then it will come to you with the stones already in place. All you will have to do is place it in the designated area, and hook up the gas if needed.
If you’re building your own pit, here are some tips to help you get the job done well:
- Set out the location: Paint a five-foot diameter circle in the area where your fire pit will be, so you can see where your brickwork needs to go. You’ll also need a three-foot diameter for the actual pit and a twelve-foot diameter for the seating area.
- Dig out a footer: Dig between the three and six diameter circles, creating a ring around where the pit will go. Fill that in with fast drying cement as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Lay the stones: When the cement is dry, start laying stones in a circle around the outer edge. Then, create another ring along the inner edge. When they’re both high enough for the pit, fill the gap between with scrap stone and mortar.
- Place the capstones: Cut and select stones that will lie flat on top of the wall. Lay them carefully and secure them.
- Use gravel to create a seating area that’s attractive, as well as fire safe for your protection.
- That’s it! The fire pit has been created. Now you can enjoy your fire pit whenever you want.
As you can see, it’s easier than you think to install a fire pit. Create a focal point in your yard and enjoy the cool evenings.
There’s no better way to enjoy the outdoors.
