A growing number of homeowners consider installing custom fire pits in their backyard. They give you the opportunity to spend time outdoors even late into the night. The backyard fire pit will banish the cold, create a pleasant atmosphere, and take you back to your childhood camping trips when you would sit around the campfire.
From mid-spring to mid-fall, you can gather with your family and friends around the backyard fire pit, have dinner, roast marshmallows, and enjoy yourself. A fire pit is one of the best investments if you want to spend as much time outside, in your backyard, without having to bundle up in heavy clothes.
You may wonder: can I have a fire pit in the backyard? The answer is yes, after you contact your local authorities to learn the residential fire pit regulations. Another frequent question we hear from customers is: do I need a permit for a fire pit? This issue differs from state to state, so, once again, you should check with your regulatory bodies.
However, once you have all the details clear, you can start looking for the perfect backyard fire pit for you.
PERMANENT OR PORTABLE FIRE PITS
Fire pit construction companies can craft either a permanent or a portable fire pit. Each of these types has specific characteristics and benefits, which you need to know about before you make a decision.
Portable Fire Pits
A portable fire pit, as its name says, can be moved around. Thus, you can quickly set up a seating area for a late dinner or a Saturday night with your friends. Also, you can choose from a wide range of models, from copper bowls to a fully custom design made according to your instructions.
Permanent Fire Pits
A permanent backyard fire pit is crafted and installed by the fire pit construction company in the best place in terms of convenience and fire safety. Choosing this type of fire pit will alter the landscape of your backyard, so you must consider this decision carefully.
However, a well designed permanent fire pit can significantly raise the value and the curb appeal of your home. Fire pits are number one on the list of the most popular outdoor home improvement elements according to the American Society of Landscape Architects and will yield a 68% return on investment.
WOOD-FIRED OR GAS FIRE PITS
From the point of view of fuel, you can choose between a wood-fired backyard fire pit and a gas fire pit. In the table below, we have detailed the main features and benefits of each type:
Wood | Gas | |
Sound | Realistic wood crackle | Completely quiet |
Smell | Natural smoke, which many find pleasant, but may cause your eyes to sting | There is no smoke, but you will feel a slight odor of gas |
Supply | You need to stock on wood | Gas supplied by your utility provider |
Time to Start | Significant, as you need to build the wood and kindle it. Also, you must keep feeding the fire, or it will die out. | Instant – all you have to do is turn it on |
Maintenance | You must remove the ashes regularly | Minimal, there is no debris to clear. |
Safety | Flying embers pose a fire hazard | Gas leaks may pose a serious hazard. |
Where to Set a Portable Fire Pit
A portable backyard fire pit offers you the freedom to choose your spot for spending an evening outdoors. However, you cannot place it wherever you want, such as on a wooden deck. This type of backyard fire pit should be placed on sturdy, fire-resistant surfaces such as
- Stone
- Gravel
- Brick
- Concrete
Where to Set a Permanent Fire Pit
The minimum fire pit distance from the house is 10 feet, according to regulations in most US states. The fire pit construction company will identify the best spot in your backyard so that it complies with fire pit safety regulations and it enhances the natural landscape.
DESIGNING FIRE PITS AND ITS SURROUNDINGS
When you decide on getting a backyard fire pit, you must consider several aspects: the style, the size, the surrounding landscape, and the furnishing. After all, outdoor fire pits should appear as a natural extension of your living space.
Here are some aspects you must decide on:
Choose Your Materials
Backyard fire pits can be made out of a wide variety of materials, such as metal, stone concrete, or brick. At any rate, your choice of materials depends on the type of fire pit you want.
Portable fire pits are generally made of metal, with copper and steel among the top choices. Permanent fire pits can be made of a combination of materials, such as stone and concrete.
Choose the Right Size
The size of the backyard fire pit will influence the entire perspective of your property. An oversized fire pit will make the backyard appear small and crowded. On the other hand, a small fire pit will not allow you to bring a large group of family members and friends around it.
Select Furniture
Outside fire pits are places where people gather to sit comfortably, talk, eat, and drink. Thus, the minimum furniture around a backyard fire pit should include a couple of tables and several armchairs or sofas from an outdoor furniture range.
At any rate, you should coordinate the design of the fire pit with that of the furniture. For example, a rustic backyard fire pit goes well with wicker chairs and wooden tables.
Choose the Right Outdoor Lighting
The right lighting can turn your backyard fire pit into a magical area. You should make sure that the lighting is subtle and does not shine brighter than the fire; otherwise, the atmosphere would be ruined. LED lights are the ideal choice because they are energy efficient and can be arranged cleverly to focus light precisely where you want it.
SAFETY TIPS
Fire can be your best friend or your worst enemy depending on how you tend it. Thus, fire pit safety rules are crucial, and you must always comply with them. Here are some of them:
- Check the direction of the wind before you light up the backyard fire pit
- Never use flammable materials to kindle the fire
- Do not place the fire pit under overhanging tree branches
- Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the fire pit
- Never leave the fire unsupervised
- Keep a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water close at hand.
GET A BACKYARD PIT TODAY
A backyard fire pit is a great addition to any home. Although it requires careful planning and strict compliance with residential fire pit regulations, once it is ready, you will congratulate.