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(858)793-4190

Friday, July 3, 2015

Turn up the Heat with an Outdoor Fire Pit

Fire Pits aren't JUST for winter.  On any chilly night, you can relax on your patio and snuggle up by the fire.  They're great for entertaining guests or even just for the family to enjoy.  If you're thinking about building a fire pit in your backyard, here are some things to consider and some wonderful design ideas to help you get started. 
Things to Consider:
Cost:  Depending on your budget, building an outdoor fire pit can either be really cheap or really expensive.  Things to consider about the cost would be the size of the fire pit you want, the types of materials, and what accessories you want to surround your fire pit, like seating.
Permanent vs Portable: Do you want a permanent seating area or something that you can move around the backyard and even take with you on trips?
Wood vs Gas: Some people love making a fire and the smell of burning logs, but if you're not the type to want to deal with that hassle, a gas fire pit might be best for you.
Platform: What are you going to put your fire pit on?  It's best to set it on a natural surface such as gravel, stone, concrete or brick.  Stay away from your wooden deck.
Location: Sometimes, you'll need to get your fire pit plans inspected and approved.  Check with local officials before starting to build it.
Design Ideas:
Arrangement: How do you want to arrange your seating?  This will help you decide the size and shape of your pit.
Earthy/Natural:  Using stones will keep the fire pit looking earthy and natural.
Sculpture:  If you want a unique art piece, check out some sculptural fire pits.
Sunken: You can build your fire pit into the ground to make it appear as if the flames are coming from the floor.  Or you can turn your whole sitting area into a sunken area to make it a little more private and secluded.
Fire wall:  Build a long fire pit against a wall and watch the flames flicker and dance throughout the evening ensuring it will be the focal point of your sitting area.
Coffee Table: A decent sized fire pit can be the perfect coffee table to complete your sitting area.
Wall and Pit in One:  If you want to create a wall barrier around your sitting area, place the fire pit within the wall and enjoy the added benefit of saving space.
At the flick of a switch, a fire pit will entice you outdoors even if there is a chill in the air and leave your guests with the wow factor all year long.
Wardell Builders | info@wardellbuilders.com  | 858-793-4190 | Solana Beach, CA 92075