Having a fire pit on the patio adds an atmosphere of warmth and relaxation to your backyard space. It is a great place to entertain friends, share memories, and have conversations. Fire pits mean you can sit comfortably outside all year round and they are perfect for summer evenings through to colder winter nights. Once you have decided to instal a fire pit on the patio, reach out to us for guidance on materials and designs, and we can help you customize the fire pit of your dreams. There are several things to consider when looking to build a fire pit.
Why Your Patio Needs a Fire Pit?
- Decorative or functional: Depending on what you want the fire pit to be used for you can select a functional or decorative design. Is it just for gathering people or will it be sued for cooking too? Decorative fire pits can add ambiance and enhance the landscape of a yard and if you are not looking for functionality, your options for design are limitless. Functional fire pits go beyond decor and you want a design that invites people around as well as one that is practical for toasting marshmallows. Functional fire pits can range from smaller tabletop designs to fire brick ovens, depending on just how much you want to do with it.
- Burning material: After you have your design in mind, you need to consider what you will burn. The choice usually depends upon local availability as well as personal preference. The most commonly used fuel sources include:
- Wood: The nostalgia associated with crackling wood and the smell spark memories and relaxation. There are different types of wood you can use, each of which will produce unique smells and sensations.
- Propane: This is a great option for environmentally friendly individuals because it’s considered a green fuel. It is easy to use and portable tanks allow for quick refills and portability without running gas lines.
- Gas: Natural gas is also environmentally friendly and increases ease of use for fire pits. No need to build a fire, just light and enjoy. You have to install a gas line initially which requires work, but in the long run, you save as it is cheaper than propane.
- Outer material: Do you want rugged stones, bricks, or sleek slate. The outer material is critical to the overall design and you may want it to match the exterior of your home or stand-alone. If you have a pool, you may want to integrate the patio and pool with the fire pit, accommodating the design to fit both areas of the yard. You need to match the design of the fire pit close to the overall look of your yard.
- Inner material: You will want to choose an inner material that best matches the ambiance and compliments the vibe of your landscape. The most common inner materials used for fire pits are:
- Stone pebbles: These give a tranquil and natural feel similar to the sensations evoked by hot stones in a massage parlor. They can impede the flow of gas though because of their small size so you may need additional materials upon which you can then scatter the pebbles.
- Lava rocks: Lava rocks create an exotic feel and are very practical for fire pits. These porous rocks allow gas to seep through so are ideal filler material. One caution with lava rocks is that they are not to be used with water/fire features.
- Glass rocks: These rocks are relatively new to fire pit design. They add a touch of elegance to the fire pit as they naturally sparkle in the light and will mesmerize your guests as the flames flicker against the glass. You can also get these rocks in a variety of colors to add varying levels of glamor to your patio.
Final thoughts
Once you know what type of fire pit you want, and the design, you can find the right materials, fillers and gas sources for your choice. It is important to design a fire pit that matches the landscape you already have otherwise it can look out of place and uninviting. For any questions you may have about designing and installing a fire pit, call us today and we can help you build the fire pit your yard has been waiting for.
