Firepit, enjoying the cool evening outdoor

The very minute you build a fire pit or outdoor fireplace, all your friends, family, kids, and grandkids will come. Your backyard will become the hangout spot and it will be perfect to entertain. The youngsters will be armed with marshmallows and the adults with a nice cocktail. It creates a unique and inviting style for your backyard. It also provides warmth and atmosphere so that you can enjoy the long conversations into the night and extend the outdoor living seasons.

Prefabricated on the shelf, custom masonry, bowl, table, globes, rock, hollowed boulder, cast stone, wood, gas, gel, with all these choices, believe me, you will find the pit that you like and that suits your needs. To choose the right pit for you, you will need to ask yourself a few questions. How often do you plan on using it? Is there any ordinance that prevents me from one of these choices? Do I like the smell of fire in my hair? Do I like to carry my propane gas tank to the store often? Etc... Some homeowners prefer installing a gas fire pit because it is easy to turn on and off. With a direct connection to the house gas, you don’t have to worry about fuel for it. Some homeowners like the noise of the wood crackling under the flames. The smell of a campfire reminds them of their boys’ scout adventures.

The main problem that we see as an installer, is that most homeowners don’t realize how much space a built-in firepit will take. Not only do you have your pit that is about 4’ wide, but then, you need your sitting area which will add about 4’-6’ all around the pit. This usually turns out to be sort of a cramped-up corner of the yard. If it is designed well, a fire pit should blend to your patio and create an inviting area of your yard that you are drawn to. We can even build a matching sitting wall around it to frame the area. If you do have a small yard and can’t afford to lose all that square footage for your firepit, go with a fireplace instead. The fireplace can be built at the edge of a patio and create a spectacular focus point for your patio.

Safety is always a concern when you have any type of fire. Some people attempt to go for a DIY route. This can be really fun and rewarding if you use the right material. Some materials are not rated for fire and some concrete blocks will explode under high temperatures. You will need to check with your city ordinance. Some cities have different regulations but here are some general guidelines:

Keep your fire pit at about 24” max. This will discourage you to build ginormous fires

Keep the pit at least 10’ away from overhead tree branches

Keep the fire pit 10-20’ from the property line

Keep the fire 10’ from any structure: house, garage, fence, sheds…

Keep a fire extinguisher or hose charged nearby

Living in beautiful San Diego, with the weather that we have, we should spend more time in the backyard than in the house. A fire feature will not only allow you to push these lovely days to the evening but also to extend your parties and conversation, creating memories for years to come