Burn Baby, Burn!

Different forms of fire pit set-ups

It’s usually a reasonably easy decision whether or not you want a fire pit on your property – but what can take a little time is deciding what type of fire pit you want. Of course, one of the easiest forms of fire pits is the mobile propane ones that can be moved according to where you want your “hangout space” to be. These are also similar to the fire pit tables, which are better set up with space for drinks and food! 

Another fun form of propane fire pits is copper bowl fire pits – it’s on the higher end of cost, but they last much longer than many others and look fantastic! On the other side of fire pit set-ups, wood-burning options are lovely to look at and use. The most common is the stone or brick fire pits that can be inlaid into the ground or built up nicely for seating around it. They’re typically simpler designs but can take on many shapes or sizes. 

Some more contemporary options are great for entertaining, one of which is wood-burning grills. These are a genius combination of an aesthetically-pleasing fire pit and a grilling or cooking pit with the edition of metal, removable grill grates! Another fine choice for fire pits is outdoor fireplaces, which provide a more cozy and homely feel while being functional as they can sometimes be portable according to your preference. 

Positives of owning a fire pit

There are so many positives surrounding the installation of fire pits in your backyard – the biggest one being a perfect option for entertaining purposes! They are beautiful to look at, even unlit, and are an excellent conversation starter for any guests you may have over. People will want to come to hang out at your home more often, and it can provide more seating or nighttime activities to those that have made their way to your home. 

Another significant point of interest for many homeowners is increased home value provided by fire pits. The addition of quality, beautiful fire pits on your lawn can add to your home value by upwards of 15%-40%! This increase can come in handy when you’re looking to sell your home later on, as many potential buyers look for usable spaces like these when they’re shopping for a new house. 

In addition, fire pits can provide you with an adequate amount of warmth while you’re spending time outside enjoying the flames. Getting outside more often is another perk of having fire pits installed at your home – they can encourage homeowners and their families to spend more time outdoors and, in turn, with each other. 

Negatives about owning a fire pit

Any installation on your property will come with a list of negatives, and fire pits are no different. Every homeowner’s biggest concern is the safety aspect of having fire pits in your backyard. Especially when you’ve got pets or children, they can be a significant hazard and cause burn injuries if you’re not careful. You also run the risk of flammable materials getting on things such as lawn furniture and clothes, which can again cause injuries. 

Another big con that people have to consider is the maintenance of owning any type of fire pit. There is constant routine maintenance that has to be done to keep it working correctly and as safe as possible for not just you but your family and your guests. This maintenance can include getting covers for when it rains, regular cleaning, power washing, metal treatment, and inspections. 

Finally, a reasonably decent concern for many people is the cost of the fire pit installation itself. While there are many pretty inexpensive options to look into, they are still an investment. Between the fire pit, the installation, the materials to use it, cleaning tools, and any extras you may want, there’s more that goes into them than you may think. As a result, it can be a more significant commitment than some people realize and intimidating to many. 

Firepit installation process

The first thing you’ll want to do before getting into the fire pit installation process itself is to determine where you’d like it to be and what shape you want it. Another is researching what materials you’d like to use, so all the prep work is completed beforehand! The next step in the process will be to mark and prepare the site where it’ll be. You’ll want to mark the center of where it will sit, then mark the perimeter around it so you can make sure that’s how you want it to sit. 

If you’re doing one that goes into the ground a bit, you’ll need to remove the sod and pack the ground as much as you can. From there, you will start laying down the bricks (or other materials you’ve chosen) to make sure they will lay down evenly and start building it up from there. It’s crucial to remember that the joints of the blocks need to be staggered to sit how they should and provide a nice flat finish. You’ll need to make adjustments as you go to make sure of this. 

As it goes along, after each row, a construction adhesive will need to be applied to keep all the clocks secured into the spots they need to be in and to make sure you have a sturdy structure to work with. This process will repeat until you’ve reached the desired height of the fire pit you wanted. Many fire pit builds will also include a layout of hardscaping surrounding it, such as seating and a patio-like surface to place furniture on! 

Getting some assistance from the pros

While it’s simple enough to purchase your own inexpensive, mobile fire pits and place them where they need to be on your lawn, it’s not nearly as simple as you may think. There’s also no guarantee that you’ll be placing them in a proper spot in conjunction with the home, and you don’t always know all the materials you’ll need for good upkeep and safety. 

Installing a fire pit yourself can also be a labor-intensive job that can cause injury if you don’t have the extensive knowledge or equipment to do so correctly. Therefore, it is always much better to put your faith in the professionals such as Perfection Lawn and Landscape – they have the experience to build a lovely fire pit just how you want it, making your lawn picture perfect!