QA

Quick Answer: How To Build Fire Pit Area

How do you build a fire pit seating area?

Step 1. Call 811 Before You Dig Call 811 Before You Dig. Determine Your Fire Pit Location. Plan Your First Row of Fire Pit Bricks. Mark Your Fire Pit Seating Area and Path. Measure the Seating Area. Dig Out the Fire Pit and Seating Area. Add Paver Sand, Tamper and Check the Level. Glue the Bricks for the Fire Pit.

What can I put on the ground around my fire pit?

What do you put in the bottom of a fire pit? You’ll want to start with a layer of sand at the bottom of the pit, and then top the sand with gravel, lava rocks, fire pit glass, paving stones or even bricks for your fire pit. Alternatively, you can simply use dirt.

What is the best surface to put a fire pit on?

Concrete Decks Poured concrete slabs or stone pavers make great durable surfaces for decks. Concrete and stone are non-combustible materials and will not catch fire, making them the best deck surface for a fire pit.

Can you just dig a hole for a fire pit?

Answer: Fire-pit depth really depends on what you want and how into your project you’re going to get. For instance, if you just want a basic fire pit, dig about 6 to 8 inches down and call it good. You can go deeper if you want, but keep in mind that you don’t want the hole so deep you can’t enjoy watching the fire.

How wide should a fire pit seating area be?

The width of the fire pit wall should be a minimum of eight inches for seating, but 12 to 18 inches is better. If you do use the wall as seating, build the pit wide enough that anyone seated on the wall is 24 to 36 inches from the blaze itself.

How much space do you need around a fire pit?

When you are planning your outdoor living space, you will want to carefully plan your fire pit to make sure there is enough room around it for everyone to be comfortable. A good guideline is to have about 7 feet of space around the fire pit.

Is it OK to put a fire pit on grass?

Fire pits can be placed directly on top of grass. However, without proper precaution, there can be major damage to the grass. It is recommended to place a mat or other material underneath to avoid damage.

Should you put sand in the bottom of a fire pit?

The sand absorbs the heat and distributes the heat throughout the entire base of the pit evenly. Without the sand, the heat can become concentrated in one specific area. When this happens, it can lead to the metal at the bottom of the fire pit deteriorating and burning through.

Does a fire pit need a liner?

If you’re envisioning your fire pit as a permanent part of your backyard or patio, you’ll definitely want to use a fire pit liner. If your fire pit is made of fire bricks, you won’t need to use an insert. Fire bricks are made to withstand intense temperatures and are an excellent choice for permanent fire pits.

Can I build a fire pit on my concrete patio?

The answer is yes, a fire pit can be placed on concrete but there are things to consider. Will the Fire Pit Be a Permanent Fixture? However, the concrete can begin to spall and crack due to the heat of the flames. Because of this, you want to install the fire pit on concrete that you do not mind being damaged.

How do you build a safe fire pit in your backyard?

Instructions OUTLINE YOUR FIRE PIT. Lay out the bottom ring of your stones in the grass where you want the fire pit to be. DIG YOUR FIRE PIT. Use a shovel, mattock, or whatever other digging tool you need to dig out your circle 6” deep. FILL YOUR FIRE PIT. BUILD YOUR FIRE PIT.

Where should an outdoor fire pit be placed?

Fire pits should be placed on a level surface, no less than ten feet away from any structure, 20-25 feet or more is best, in a wide-open space, away from trees with low hanging limbs, woodpiles, bushes, and other materials that could ignite if contact with a flame is made.

How much space should be between firepit and seating wall?

A good rule is to provide at least 7 feet of space around all outer edges of a fire pit, which will allow for plenty of room for chairs or other furniture and space for people to walk comfortably.

Can you put pavers under fire pit?

Yes, patio pavers are safe underneath fire pits. However, the heat can discolor patio pavers depending on the type of materials used. If you’re concerned about discoloration, simply install a fire pit mat (like the one linked above).

How long does a fire pit last?

The average gas fire pit will last from 3 to 6 hours on a 20 lb. propane tank. Depending on your fire pit BTU rating a tank can last you as long as 9 hours, or as little as 1-1/2 hours. A 20 pound propane tank contains approximately 430,000 BTU’s.

What should I line the bottom of my fire pit with?

Some materials like hard rock, gravel, or sand weren’t meant to reach high temperatures and can spark and explode if your fire gets too hot. Instead, use lava rocks for your fire pit or lava glass beads as a filler for your fire pit. They are a safe way to create drainage and make your fire pit look nice.

Can you use any rocks for a fire pit?

Hard rocks like granite, marble, or slate are much denser and less likely to absorb water and explode when exposed to heat, and make a perfect material for a stone fire pit. Safe rocks include fire-rate brick, lava glass, lava rocks, and poured concrete.

Can you mix lava rock and glass in fire pit?

Yes, you can mix lava rock and fire glass in a fire pit. The two work very well together in a variety of ways to protect your investment and enhance your fire pit experience at a lower cost.