How a Fire Pit Can Fire Up Your Evenings

Want to get everyone focused on one thing – that’s not a TV or food? Get some kindling and start a fire – safely, please.

Fire fascinates. Since the dawn of civilization, humans have gathered around a fire. We’ve used it for warmth, light, and cooking. We’ve even worshipped it!

Today the functional power of fire has sometimes been superseded by electricity. But though we have ovens, microwaves, toasters, and light bulbs, the fascination with fire remains. And that’s why fire pits are so popular.

Oklahoma is beautiful. Our outdoor spaces are unmatched. But that doesn’t mean we’re using them to their full potential.

Got a backyard that you don’t use much? Adding a fire pit to your patio might just do the trick. This week, Fair Lawn talks fire. Flame on!

Kumbaya – A Gathering Place

Firepits can add a focal point to patios or other outdoor spaces. The aesthetic appeal of a fire pit is obvious and grabs your attention even before you light the flame.

We still enjoy the appeal of fire, and your guests will love being outside at your home around the inviting warmth. The warming quality of a firepit is both literal and metaphorical. You’ll find the ambiance begs for storytelling or romance.

Expand Your Living Space: Patios, Pits & Stone

Sure, inside gatherings are cool. But outdoor gatherings are fire.

Adding hardscaping to your outdoors is like adding a room to your house – at a fraction of the cost. And nothing brings together a stone patio or highlights your flowerbeds after sunset like flickering flames.

An outdoor meal around a fire is a great way to entertain guests. And the fire will keep the guests feeling welcome after the meal is complete.

Expand Your Outdoor Season

Another plus to a fire pit is it doesn’t just expand your home; it extends your outdoor entertainment season!

Some people feel like they can’t spend time outdoors once it gets chilly. Interestingly, this is not as true in some colder places like the Nordic countries, where people simply bundle up to enjoy an outdoor meal all year.

Firepits can remove that obstacle and keep you entertaining well into the fall and, depending on your cold tolerance (and that of your guests), even early winter.

(Fire)Pitfalls

With all the reasons to get a firepit, it could be tempting to rush into it. But slow down!

Some things can go wrong with any hardscaping installation, so make sure you’re talking to a professional like Fair Lawn. We’ll help ensure that you not only avoid potential problems and dangers but also love your fire pit and have the perfect one for you.

Location, Location, Location

When installing a firepit, you need to pick the right spot. Not only do you want it to be in a space you will love using, but you want it to be in a safe location.

One mistake some people make with firepits (and grills, incidentally) is putting them too close to their homes. High heat too close to a house can be a fire hazard and melt siding. Placement is critical!

Grading and Drainage

When pouring concrete, adding rock features, or doing any hardscaping in your yard, it’s important to consider water and runoff.

Improper drainage can cause flooding, soil erosion, and even costly property damage. Taking drainage into consideration before work starts will save you a lot of headaches in the future.

We’ll properly grade your property and add in drains where necessary to ensure your beautiful new hardscaping doesn’t ruin your equally beautiful natural features.

Electrical and Water

With any construction work, safety comes first. And working outdoors, you need to think about all the utilities running to your home. Professionals know how to properly work around (and avoid) your electrical and water lines and will make sure everything is done safely without damaging your property.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing Your Firepit

When designing your space, many questions will come up and decisions you will need to make. Some will be specific to your circumstance, but there are a few that everyone can expect.

Prefab or custom?

The first question to ask when getting a firepit is, do you want a prefabricated or custom pit? Obviously, with a custom pit, you can get what you want for your space, but budget may be a concern.

If you choose a prefabricated pit, there are many choices available, so you can probably find one that will fit your space. And you can always customize the area around it with retaining walls and seating.

Wood or propane?

Another question is, do you want your pit to burn wood or propane?

Either way, you need to have a fuel source. The question is whether you want to provide wood or gas. Both can be purchased locally, but some people may have a free source for timber.

You’ll also want to consider maintenance. A professional will have to check propane lines seasonally with a propane pit. Wood is a little more do it yourself.

Finally, while wood has that more traditional feel, it’s not great for people with asthma or other lung issues. Propane burns more cleanly.

You Gotta Eat, Right?

Finally, everyone’s favorite topic: food. There’s nothing like a flame-cooked meal. Do you want your firepit to be functional?

FIrepits are great for aesthetics, warmth, and atmosphere, but they can also serve a practical purpose – cooking! (As if you need s’more reasons).

Extra design choices will need to be made if you want to be able to cook in your fire pit. Outside of roasting marshmallows, you will need unique grates and other considerations.
Some people go a step further and will build a brick oven for making pizza or other goodies.

Whatever you choose for your hardscaping design, Fair Lawn wants to make it easy and beautiful for you. We’re where you come for fair prices & excellent quality service.

And when it comes to your outdoor space design, the sky really is the limit!