Thinking of getting a firepit this summer?
After extensive research and checking in once again with Tim Laber of our local Aqua-Flo Supply (they sell fire pits too)…here is what I learned.
The outdoor family room is in more than ever
From firepits to ping pong tables and outdoor TVs, outdoor living is in. Creating a feeling of camping with the family, complete with a fire and comfortable chairs is the number feature when it comes to outdoor living at home. Firepits also keep mosquitos away, keep you warm, and per Realtors can increase your property value. And yes, gas firepits can also be used for toasting marshmallows (if you do not want to use wood burning)!
Think safety first
Do you have a location in mind that is away from overhanging trees, shrubs, building overhangs, cars, and flammable decks? There are building codes regarding setbacks so you will want to double-check those. Manufacturers recommend 10-25’ but each jurisdiction varies. Use heavy chairs, set back from the pit to avoid guests tumbling in when standing up too close to the pit. You can also buy folding glass guards to help keep children and pets safe and they also protect the fire from wind. If you have synthetic turf, it is generally not flammable but it will melt (use a gas pit to avoid flying embers and leave at least 12” of nonflammable material around the pit).
Wood burning vs. natural gas or propane
Wood burning will give off an aroma based on the type of wood you burn but it will also produce smoke which is not good for your lungs or the environment as the smoke puts small particles into the air. Also, a wood fire is not as safe as gas – beware of sparks flying and make sure the fire and embers are put out properly. For a wood-burning pit, they suggest crushed rock, brick, or sand around the pit in case of an ember. If you decide to burn wood it should be seasoned for at least 6 months and never burn plywood, construction materials, or composite wood as the fumes are toxic.
A gas pit is much safer. With gas, you can have lava rocks, glass rocks for the jewel look, or imitation concrete logs. There is less cleaning involved, and you can control the flame and intensity easily. Plus, there are no embers or smoke to worry about. It is also much easier to operate on windy nights. Using a standard propane tank allows you to move the pit around as it has no connections, and the tank is hidden inside the pit. A standard 20-pound propane tank will burn for about 3-6 hours. For natural gas, you will need to plumb to a location so it will not be as mobile as a propane tank, but you don’t have the chore of refilling the propane tank and it will be less expensive to run. A gas pit should be kept dry, if possible, with a cover as water in the pit can make it harder to light and it can rust the components. It can be a soft cover or there are hard covers available also that make it look like a table.
Design
Firepits have become so popular there is now a lot of options to choose from in all price ranges. The most common materials are concrete, glass fiber reinforced cement, steel, and copper. There are various colors to pick from as well. Shapes and styles include dining room fire tables, coffee tables, bowl shape, square, rectangular, bar height, and many more shapes and heights. They can be quite small to ten feet or more in length depending on how many chairs you want to pull up! They even have firepit water features that spill into your pool (seems like a Roman thing!).
We looked at many manufacturers but could not find a modern design we liked. Tim pointed us to Prism Hardscapes which is one of the lines Aqua-Flo carries that offers modern designs. Tim said he just put one in his yard – so it must be a good product!
Call Tim if you have specific questions at 805-967-1938.
