All of us are spending more time at home this year, and as we head into cooler weather, fire pits can improve the usability of your backyard or courtyard.
There are lots of options for your pit—ready-made, complete kits, or professional build.
If you prefer an extravagant fire pit design or want something more complicated, a contractor may be the best option because the quality of craftsmanship can add value to your home as you can expect to recoup 78% of your investment when you sell. But if you are looking for a DIY project, here are some considerations.
Before starting, have a game plan. There are great guides on DIY construction with step-by-step instructions. Research what you want your fire pit to look like, what materials you need, and where you want to put it. Pick the perfect spot by observing your yard, the terrain, and where you will be hanging out most.
Size is important, so consider how many people you would like to accommodate around it, and whether you want the top of the walls to serve as a footrest for those sitting around the fire or whether you want to comfortably sit directly on the edge of the pit.
Construction commonly consists of an inner wall, an outer wall, cap, and decorative stones or rocks in the center of the pit. The inner wall must be made of fireproof building materials—optimally fire brick. The outer walls should still be heat-resistant, but can be made of traditional brick, stone masonry blocks, concrete pavers, or tile. Flagstone and crushed stone are ideal materials for the fire pit cap.
What you put in the bottom of the pit is critical. Some materials—like hard rock, gravel, or sand—aren't meant to reach high temperatures, and can spark and explode if your fire gets too hot. Instead, use lava rocks or lava glass beads as filler, as they are a safe way to create drainage and make your fire pit look nice.
There are many types of fuel to consider. Ethanol, propane, and natural gas are all sound fire pit fuel options, as they emit no smoke, sparks, or embers, and leave no ashes to clean up. But, these gases must be supplied to the pit properly and can be costly. Wood-burning fire pits require no gas lines, but they produce a high volume of smoke, sparks, and embers; call for frequent ash removal; and make large flames difficult to extinguish (why many municipalities forbid them).
Finally, think about safety gear. Keep a fire-retardant sheet usually made of fiberglass or Kevlar near the pit to help smother a fire on nearby objects or people. Also, keep a multipurpose dry chemical fire extinguisher nearby.
With so many options, prices run the gamut, from a couple hundred dollars for a DIY install; $50-$4,000 for a ready-made or kit; or $1,400-$10,000 for a professional install.
PRO-TIPS
DON’T build a fire pit without approval.
Your local government, homeowners association, and house deed may impose restrictions on the size, location, material, and fuel type of home fire pits—or forbid them altogether—due to the potential for fire-related property damages.
Check with your utility companies before digging.
Call 811 or go to Call811.com to check the location of buried utility lines.
Consider where to position the pit.
Install the pit on level ground in an open area of the yard that’s at least 25 feet from other structures, bushes, and trees.
Consider accessibility when choosing a size.
The pit should measure between 36 and 44 inches wide (including the width of the walls) to safely accommodate multiple people around. The pit height should be 12 to 14 inches from the base to the top of the walls, or 18- to 20-inches tall if you want to comfortably sit directly on the edge of the pit.
DON’T use flammable or non-porous, water-retaining building materials.
Do not use flammable materials anywhere near the pit, nor non-porous materials that hold water (pea gravel, river rocks, compressed concrete blocks), as these materials can trap steam and eventually explode.
Consider installing a steel ring.
As a non-combustible material, the steel will ward off heat and keep the outside wall itself from prematurely dehydrating and crumbling, while maintaining the structural integrity of your fire pit longer.
Create airholes.
Every pit needs air flow to provide oxygen to flames. Leave gaps in the outer structure in at least four opposite points.
Cure the fire pit before using.
Give the cement and mortar a week to cure completely before lighting a fire in your pit.