What to Consider When Building a Fire Pit

The weather is definitely cooling down, but winter is still a couple months away — this means that now is the perfect time to design and build an outdoor fire pit! Don’t let the weather stop you from being able to sit outside with your friends and family, watching the night sky, or simply having a glass of wine. With an outdoor fire, everyone will be able to gather and watch the fire crackle and the sparks sore through the air.

But before you start shopping for materials, there are a few important things to consider. At Oasis Outdoor Living, our specialty is outdoor fire pits and features. We love giving our clients the opportunity to spend their time outside, while also staying warm, safe, and around a fire pit that they absolutely love. So here are a few tips that will help you throughout the process. And if you want experienced landscaping contractors to help you with the build, we’ll be there!

Safety Codes

This is a must-do before you break ground on your dream fire pit. You must first acquire all the necessary permits and codes from the city or town. Each city has their own regulations for proper placement and size of the pit in relation to your home, fences, or trees. We take your safety and the safety of your home seriously, so if you work with us, you can trust that all of the paperwork will be complete before starting on the project.

While we’re on the subject of safety, here are some other things to consider:

• Wind direction will impact where the smoke travels. 
• Softwoods like pine or cedar are more likely to pop and throw sparks.
• Consider installing a safety fence around the area.

The Cost

This will vary greatly on a variety of factors, including the size, material, and type of fire pit you want built. If you’re hoping for the ease of a gas pit, then the pipelines will need to be installed. If you already have concrete or pavers in the ground, installing pipes will increase the cost significantly. And obviously, the larger the fire pit, the more you will spend on materials.

The Size

When thinking about the size of the fire feature, you’ll also want to consider the surrounding landscape and your overall backyard. When shopping around, you may see a large pit, but be sure that it doesn’t look overwhelming and take up too much space when it’s actually in your yard. The same goes for a too-small pit. You want to find, or design, a fire pit that is in proportion with other elements in your yard and gives you enough space for people to mingle or sit around the fire.

The Location

Depending on where you live, you will need to place the fire pit a certain distance from your home. And you’ll want to keep it a safe distance from fences, trees, bushes, pathways, and any tripping hazards such as inground lighting. Think about how people currently maneuver around the yard, and what impact a fire pit will have. The location will also need to be a level area in your yard. If you live on a slope, you may need to create a level area by digging into the ground.

The Material

There are several materials that you can choose from, including stone, brick, concrete, stainless steel, copper, and tile. All of these materials will create a different look and feel in your yard, so be mindful of the theme you already have in your yard and work with a material that will complement that.

If you’re ready to start designing and building your dream landscape with an outdoor fire feature, get in touch with Oasis Outdoor Living.