What’s cozier than gathering together around a warm fire on a chilly day? If your patio is missing some creature comforts, the addition of a fire pit could be a game-changer. If you’re looking for a better backyard experience this year, make sure to warm up your outdoor living space with a fire pit in the Hollis and Milford, NH areas.
Related: SQUARE OR ROUND: BUILDING A FIRE PIT THAT SUITS YOUR LANDSCAPE
When you think about fire pits, you may be thinking of spending an evening around the campfire, sharing stories and laughter with family and friends. And you’re not wrong. Humans have long loved the fire pit for the feeling of community it provides.
Design
A fire pit is built using masonry blocks in either a square or a circle. The masonry walls should be fairly low so that the heat radiates outward. Walls that are too high cause heat to radiate upward which will force everyone to stand.
A circular design harkens back to the days when fire was, literally, life: providing warmth, the opportunity for cooking, and protection. A circular design allows people to share equally in the warmth and it’s generally the preferred style.
A square design is more modern. It is elegant and more aligned with a sleek, linear design aesthetic. For the purposes of hanging out by the fire, it allows people to choose to sit closer to the fire, or further (the corners put a bit of extra distance between the fire and the person).
Its size will depend on the location. In general, the larger the space, the larger the fire pit (otherwise, a small fire pit could feel lost in an expansive space).
Fuel
Fire pits can be wood- or gas-fueled. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.
Wood
Wood evokes a wonderful campfire feel, with a delightful crackle and aroma. Some people love playing with the fire, adding wood and stoking the flames. If you burn the right type of wood, you can even cook on your fire pit.
The disadvantages of wood are the cost of firewood (unless you can source it for free), adequate wood storage near the fire pit, unpredictable smoke, potential flying embers, the need to put out the fire, periodic ash removal, and wood messes such as splinters. A wood fire pit cannot be placed anywhere near combustible materials, which can limit your placement choices.
Gas
Gas means more consistent flames that don’t require tending. The fire can be turned on or off instantly, which is a safety feature many homeowners love. A gas fire pit could be placed within a shelter structure such as a pavilion or near a pool. However, if you want your fire pit to be in an otherwise neglected corner of the yard, you’ll incur the cost of running a gas line.
Natural gas doesn’t produce the crackling and smoke that wood does and less heat. Natural gas fueled fire pits don’t require as much cleaning as wood fire pits, but they are generally not ideal for cooking since burned-on food can be difficult to remove from lava rock or ceramic logs.
Location
Location is dictated by the fuel you burn, and in part by how you want to use the fire pit. A centrally located fire pit will become the hub of backyard gatherings and parties, second only to the outdoor kitchen.
If you want a quieter, more relaxed experience, consider a fire pit tucked into a corner of the patio, or on its own separate patio.
Related: PERK UP YOUR CONCORD, NH, LANDSCAPE DESIGN WITH A BEAUTIFUL FIRE PIT AND SEATING WALL
