Adding a fire pit to your backyard will transform your space into a cozy gathering place for you and your guests. Plus, it can also serve as a stylish focal point for your entire landscape design.
While there are many portable options available, a custom fire pit is more durable and can be built to complement the style of your home, landscape, patio, or any other existing hardscape features.
If you’re considering installing a fire pit, give us a call at Greenway of Nashville. Our exterior experts can design and build a structure that not only serves as a beautiful and functional centerpiece for your outdoor space but adds lasting value to your home.
Building a fire pit can be a manageable DIY project, but many homeowners find that it’s a much bigger task than they anticipated. Constructing a quality fire pit involves more than just digging a hole and adding stones or blocks. There are many important design choices that must be considered so that the structure highlights your backyard instead of detracting from it.
Follow these best practices to get the most enjoyment out of your backyard fire pit:
Safety should always be your first priority. Hastily building a fire pit without proper planning can cause you to end up with a dangerous structure that can lead to serious property damage. Before building, it’s important to ensure that you comply with all regulations and obtain any necessary permits for a fire pit installation. Some local codes and homeowner associations may have restrictions on the size, location, material, and/or fuel type of home fire pits.
The type of fire pit you want is a big decision that should be based on your lifestyle and personal preferences. Propane or natural gas fire pits tend to be low maintenance and comfortable, as they emit no smoke, sparks, or embers. Unlike wood-burning options, they also don’t leave any ash for you to clean up. However, if you want a bright fire, the ‘campfire smell,’ and something that serves as more than just decor, an authentic wood-burning fire pit might be the perfect option for you. This decision may affect the location of your pit.
Choosing an ideal (and safe) location for your fire pit is key. Poorly placed fire pits are dangerous and can ruin your outdoor experience. When deciding the perfect location, pay attention to surrounding seating areas and the natural flow of traffic in your yard. Of course, if you’re unsure, our professional landscape designers can help you pinpoint the best location.
Here are some of the most common mistakes you’ll want to avoid with fire pit installation:
Orient your fire pit at least ten feet away from your house and ensure the flames will be clear of any low-hanging limbs, vegetation, or other flammable materials.
Custom fire pits allow you the freedom to choose every detail from the size and shape to the material. With this in mind, make sure that your fire pit design will be large enough to comfortably accommodate multiple people.
Additionally, it’s important that your structure is built at the right height. Generally, a safe height for the outside edge is between 6 and 12 inches. This will be tall enough to prevent logs and embers from escaping but not so tall that children or guests need to lean over to get closer to the fire once it so everybody knows and gets excited about it.
This is one of the biggest mistakes in fire pit construction. Using materials that are not suited for high temperatures is dangerous and can cause the pit to crack. To prevent the outer material from getting too hot, you can install a stainless steel interior liner.
There are a variety of materials to choose from during the installation process, so you can ensure your structure fits with the style of your home and outdoor landscape.
Stone is one of the most common and versatile fire pit construction materials. From a simple circle of stacked stones to a detailed structure faced with natural stone veneer, the options are endless with stone fire pits.
Another classic material, brick is commonly used in many home fire pit designs. Kiln-fired brick is your safest bet, as it can withstand the heat of the flames.
Fire pits are a hot commodity, and for good reason. They’re a stunning architectural addition to any backyard patio and a great way to bring people together.
However, one simple mistake can prevent you from enjoying your fire pit to the fullest. That’s where our experts at Greenway of Nashville come in. We’ll help you understand what design possibilities are available and install a fire feature that maximizes your backyard’s potential.
Give us a call today at (615) 238-4574. We proudly serve homeowners across the greater Nashville area.
Open today | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm |
Copyright © 2022 Greenway of Nashville, LLC - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.