Concrete Fire Pit
Concrete Fire Pit
Are you considering a concrete fire pit for your patio or as a backyard fire pit ? Concrete Fire pits have become very popular outdoor and garden accessories. They can provide a wonderful area around which family and friends can gather to chat, eat and socialise. This is particularly easy to do if you have a built in seating area around the fire pit or adjacent to it. If you have a large area you can also include a built in barbecue as well.They also allow you to extend the use of your patio or garden in the evening and in the cooler autumn and spring months. A fire pit is something to consider if you are looking for a functional, long lasting and decorative addition or centre piece to almost any outside area. If you are fortunate enough to have a swimming pool there are some that are designed to really enhance the area around the pool. The glow off the water on a warm evening while you enjoy relaxing outside is difficult to beat. There are several different concrete fire pits available.
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Best Concrete Fire Pits
A fire pit, whether it is made of concrete or some other material is as the name suggests a purpose designed semi – enclosed area or pit where you can have a fire. The pit does not necessarily have to be in the ground or low to the ground. While there are inground concrete fire pits there are also ones which are raised up; these can take the form of circular, square or rectangular seating areas or tables which include a pit where you can light a fire.
Concrete Fire Pit
- essentials to consider:
Before you start to build your fire pit there are several things that you should do first to ensure that you are following all the correct legal codes as well as other considerations.
- visit your municipal or city town hall to familiarise yourself with any by – laws or municipal restrictions regarding the construction or placement of fire pits. Check to see which ones they allow.
- determine whether or not you are going to have a wood, coal or gas burning concrete fire pit.
- decide where you are going to put the fire pit. Is it going to be in the garden, dug into the ground or on a concrete or stone patio.
- decide on the style of fire pit that you want. There are many options available.
- if you have in mind a basic round one give some thought to some of the other styles you could consider. For example there are square and rectangular ones as well. Some people put concrete fire pits near their swimming pools and often a square or rectangular design will compliment a rectangular pool better than a round one.
- another consideration is the overall shape of your garden or backyard area or the area you are putting you pit in. Give a lot of thought to the aesthetic appeal of your new addition.
- depending on the type of fire pit you are considering, give lots of thought to where rain water will drain.
- think about safety and ensure that there are no low hanging tree branches, combustible materials or areas of the the house which will be too close to the fire pit.
-make sure that you have an area nearby where you can keep a suitable fire extinquisher. As an added safety precaution proximity to an attached garden hose is a good idea as well.
- decide how much area you are going to need around your fire pit. Is this area going to be used by just a few people to sit around and enjoy or do you need an area that will accommodate a lot of people?
- you will need to consider the proximity of your house to the fire pit. You may not want to walk a long way to get to the house or kitchen.
With a well thought out plan and an appropriate style of concrete fire pit, you can add versatility and beauty to your patio or garden. A well designed outdoor area which incorporates a nice gathering place for you to enjoy the company of friends and family could add to the value of your property.
Concrete Fire Pit Design
Designing One
When considering a concrete fire pit you have basically three main options.
-you can construct one yourself
-you can have one built for you
-you can purchase a preformed concrete fire bowl
If you decide to purchase a preformed bowl you may find that these are available at a supplier near you. One thing that you have to ensure is that the model you buy is fire rated. If it isn't you can expect that the heat may crack it. It is a good idea to purchase one that is specifically made for fires.
Depending on the design of fire pit you want and also depending on how competent you are at doing it yourself, you may feel qualified to construct your own concrete fire pit yourself. There are books, plans and information available on how to make your own. Before tackling the task make sure that you have a really good idea of every aspect of the project and don't forget the considerations listed above.
If you can afford it, having a concrete fire pit built for you is a good option. Ensure that you hire a reputable tradesman or company. Check that they are qualified to build the type of fire pit you require. Make sure that the concrete fire pit you are having built is designed to wiithstand the heat of a fire, and designed properly. Ask for references and try to speak to former customers. If you can, have a look at any similar projects that they have completed. One really important thing to investigate when checking on references or previous projects is that proper attention was paid to drainage. Without proper drainage you may find yourself with a project which fills up with water, takes ages to dry out and in the spring can be a breeding place for bugs and mosquitoes.
Make sure that you do all your due diligence on the contractor before hiring them. It is well worth the time and effort to get someone who has the experience, competence and good references to build you what you want. If you are considering a gas fire pit, ensure that the contractor you hire is qualified to do the work and that he is familiar with the by – laws and building codes in your area. It may be necessary to get permits and to have inspections. Your previous enquiries at your municipal offices or town hall should inform you of any requirements.
If you decide to purchase one, there are fire pits on the market and they do come in different styles. At the top of the right sidebar you will see two examples of Petersen fire pit inserts. These are generally constucted of stucco and as you can see they have nice functional teracotta tiles or granite tiles around the outside. If the construction aspect is too daunting then one of these gas units could be the ideal choice for you. Ensure that you are aware of everything that is involved in owning and operating one of these before purchasing it. You can even purchase them online and on this website you can find links to many of them.
If you decide against a permanent or semi-permanent type of pit you may want to consider a portable one. There are many functional and beautiful ones on the market. In particular there are fire bowl styles many of which are extremely decorative as well as being very functional. Among our favourites are the very popular copper bowl designs and there are also very well made table fire pits as well. Have a look at the other pages on this website to get a good idea of the range of different types and designs that are available.
It cannot be stressed enough however, please ensure that you keep safety as a paramount consideration. In some places any type of fire has to be at least 50 feet away from the nearest building or structure. Things can go wrong very quickly with flying sparks if one is not always diligent. It is also worth mentioning that small children and pets should be kept under close supervision near any kind of fire.
Whatever you decide on in the way of a concrete fire pit there are many resources available online, at your chamber of commerce, in books and at better hardware and building supply stores.
If you have decided to make your own fire pit there are several different methods. You can actually make one without having to use much in the way of concrete. There are some great plans available for you where you can just place the blocks that you are using on top of each other without using mortar. This works well on a flagstone, paver or concrete base. The great video below should give you some really good suggestions as to different ways you can make your fire pit. For more information have a look at out DIY fire pit page on this website. Whatever you decide you will be a ble to find either a great design for a concrete fire pit or one made with blocks or a portable one.
It could be that after investigating and researching all the ins and outs, you might find the construction of a concrete fire pit more effort and expense than you want to go to. If this is the case, don't despair. There are many other options which will allow you to have a beautiful fire pit in your back yard or garden. There are many beautiful choices available which run the range of simple portable ones to beautiful copper ones as well as fantastic table fire pits. Depending on your budget you can easily find one that will add beauty, warmth and a central gathering place to any outside area. Please look around the site as you will find many suggestions, fantastic designs, a host of different sizes. So whether you have your heart set on concrete fire pit or something else, you should be able to find it here.
