Many people spend a lot of time and money landscaping their backyards to better enjoy them with their family and friends. While gardens are lovely and water features are interesting, a quick and effective way to bring life to your backyard is to install a fire pit. One of the easiest additions to dramatically change the look of your backyard, a fire pit will entice your visitors to linger near the fire after dinner is finished. You can expect that a fire pit will enhance the warmth and ambience of your backyard seating area.
A fire pit is a small area enclosed by walls that will allow a fire to burn in a controlled manner. Often in campgrounds you will find fire pits that are made out of natural rocks set-up in a ring, but a pit can also be constructed out of other non-combustible materials such as concrete, metal or brick placed in a circle, square or another closed shape. However, the most important aspect is not its shape, but rather its placement: a fire pit must be at least 150 feet away from the side of your house or any other combustible material, such as the wood of a gazebo or a rose trellis.
The size of your backyard or your budget should not limit your ability to enjoy the ambiance of a fire pit. They are available in many price ranges depending on the material that is used and there are a variety of designs to choose from, so you are sure to find one that will complement your backyard decor.
Some fire pits are designed to be placed on a table and others will go on the ground. Some are shallow, metal bowls that stand about twelve inches above the ground, while others can be up to three feet in diameter. Some fire pits even burn both propane and firewood. Decide on a good site in your backyard and work with the specific dimensions of the space. Be sure to check reviews to avoid any unwelcome surprises, read up on safety measures and check with your city by-laws to ensure that it's legal to use a fire pit in your backyard. Ranging from $60 to well over $100, a fire pit is a relatively costly investment and you'll want to make sure that you've made the right choice.