Top Five Tips for Building a Backyard Fire Pit
Bring your backyard to life with a stone fire pit. It’s ideal for evening cocktails, daytime barbecues and cozy gatherings any time of year.
Get Cozy Around the Fire
Nothing beats the warm glow and wonderful smells of a backyard fire pit. It’s a wonderful way to host a summer party, celebrate spring or warm up a winter night. Create a romantic setting or a place to sit and watch nature while you relax and unwind. With a backyard fire pit, you can enjoy your yard in any season.
A fire pit can be anything from a rough-and-ready gathering of stones to an elaborate chimney surrounded by stone seating. Here are the top five things you need to know about building a fire pit.
1. Find Out If You Need a Permit
Do you need a permit to build a fire pit on your property? Local codes might require you to build it from specific materials or at a certain distance from other properties.
Rules vary by location. In some areas, you can have a fire pit as long as you’re not using it to burn wood. Some local areas outlaw all fire pits. If you build your pit without checking with your local building authority, you may end up with a fire pit you can’t use and a hefty fine. Take this step before you lay your first stone.
2. Decide What Type of Fuel You Want to Use
Most people think of wood-burning fireplaces when they think of a fire pit. Wood is easy to use and produces a bright, classic fire, but it has some disadvantages. Wood attracts insects, and you must find a storage spot that will keep your wood dry. A wood-burning pit produces a lot of ash, creating a big mess you have to clean after every use. The embers, sparks and large flames of a wood-burning fire can be difficult to control, which is why many local ordinances forbid wood-burning pits.
Propane fire pits are an excellent alternative. They don’t produce large flames, ash, embers or sparks. You can use propane fire pits to cook food, and you can design a stone or brick surround for them. You can create great-looking stone surrounds for a propane fire pit.
Natural gas fire pits are a good solution if you have a gas line at your home. Like propane, natural gas is a clean fuel that won’t produce embers or ash. With a gas-fueled fire pit, you will never run out of fuel. With a beautiful stone surround, a natural gas fire pit can be a permanent, beautiful focal point of your yard. You must contact the local gas company to install a line.
3. Invest In a Professionally Built Fire Pit
You can buy a portable backyard fireplace, but why not get a well-built fire pit?
Fire pits are a popular, desirable feature in a home. A professionally built, permanent fire pit will recover almost its full cost in your home’s resale price. Adding this feature to your home increases its value.
A professional mason can ensure your fire pit conforms to all local safety, building and zoning codes. Your masonry contractor can help you create a beautiful stone or brick fire pit with ledges and a seating area. Create a fire pit that’s a focal point of your backyard.
4. Use Natural Stone
The best material for a fire pit is natural stone or flagstone. Stone looks elegant, lasts forever and is the most fire-resistant material. Use stone or brick to create the basic structure of the fire pit. Top it with flagstone pavers as a ledge. Add more flagstones around the fire pit in a wide circle to add a dramatic seating area around the pit.
Brick is another classic, durable and fire-resistant material. Bricks are smaller, and you can use them to design a curved shape. Try a mix of stone, pavers, bricks and flagstones to create a design that works for you.
5. Pick the Right Location
Your fire pit should be at least 10 feet from your house. It’s also a good idea to place it near a hose or a fire extinguisher. Don’t take chances with your safety.
If you want an elegant backyard look, create a fire pit that’s part of a large stone or brick patio. Adding masonry water features like a waterfall or fountain creates a stunning landscape.
Build Your Fire Pit With Our Help
If you want a functional, elegant fire pit that will last for years and increase your home’s resale value, call Capital Masonry. We specialize in brick and stone masonry projects that bring lasting beauty to your home.