Patio Fire Pits - Choosing Which Type to Have in Your Landscape

Patio fire pits are a popular outdoor feature in recent years. If you think you might enjoy the atmosphere of sitting outside with a cozy fire glowing, you might consider adding a fire pit to your landscape design. The enjoyment is enhanced if nice seating is located near it to enjoy the view, warmth and general ambiance.

Fire pits can be built in or portable. They can be wood burning for a true rustic experience, or they can be operated by gas.

The gas method can be either natural gas or propane. If natural gas is used, a gas line must be installed. Using a propane tank is more simple, as a flexible connection is supplied between the tank and the fire pit.

Built in fire pits are typically wood burning. Walls are built around it which have a few purposes. The walls are often stone or brick. Both the wall itself and stone or brick help with heat retention. Walls also can help to prevent sparks from escaping. Lastly, walls can serve as seat walls, where you can sit close to the fire. For seating, the walls should be between eighteen and twenty four inches high. They should be between twelve and eighteen inches deep.

Portable fire pits (if using wood or a propane gas tank) can be moved, which is a nice feature. It can be used in another location. For example, perhaps it is usually kept on your patio and you are having a pool party and want to use it there for the evening? It can also be removed from the patio in the heat of the summer, when it will not often be used, so that more useable patio space is available. If it is very hot, you won't be using it. The option of taking it away is a nice one. You won't have to have something there that does not function.

Fire pits can be purchased in various materials, although copper and steel are common. Copper ones will develop their own natural patina over time and are quite beautiful. You will find many that are raised with metal legs. Some are so attractive that they can become a focal point in your landscape. There are some that are enclosed with glass for safety. Wood burning portable fire pits often have screens to contain any sparks.

Fire pits can be used on patios, pool decking, lawn areas and even decks. When using one on a deck, special kinds must be purchased, approved for safety due to the wood decking in the area. I came across one that is enclosed with glass panels.

When locating a fire pit, place it in an area that can become a separate place for conversation or just quiet seclusion. The most common place to locate one is a patio, since this is usually the sitting area on your property. Add some furniture near it. Attractive benches, chaise lounges, outdoor sofas and the like work well. If it is visual from a dining table, even better!

Susan Schlenger is a Landscape Designer with a degree in Landscape Architecture. You can read more about Patio Fire Pits at her website.

You might also be interested in learning about Outdoor Living Rooms.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Schlenger

How To Choose an Outdoor Fire Pit

It always pleasurable for all the family to assemble together and chill out al fresco on balmy summer evenings but what do you do in the fall or spring when evenings are chilly but you still want to be outdoors? You could put up a backyard fireplace but this can be quite a considerable job and you can’t take it with you if you move. One solution could be to use an outdoor fire pit. Fire pits produce the look and warmth of a campfire to your deck or garden but in a very controlled and protected way. Additionally a lot of fire pits are transportable, so you can take them on trips or if you move address, or move them around on your terrace or backyard to a more suitable point.

Fire Pit Styles & Designs

Fire pits can be purchased in a diversity of distinct styles including a fire bowl design, camping rings, chimney style or tabletop fire pits. Also they come in a range of sizes from about 25 inches in diameter, medium up to 35 inches, and extremely large up to 50 inches which are just about as big as a patio table! Of course your finances and the area where you are going to position your fire pit will determine which size you should buy. Low-cost fire pits for approximately $99 are obtainable but they may not survive for any length of time, two or three seasons at the most. Metal in these economical models tends to be thin and prone to rusting and often screens are not very well-made and can disintegrate. At the other extreme there are fire pits powered by gas from roughly $500 to more than $2500 which will keep going for many years.

Fire Pit Accessories

In addition to your outdoor fire pit you may also want to acquire a number of accessories. As a rule fire pits are supplied with a screen to prevent sparks from being a danger but they often become twisted and broken down through use. An added accessory that is functional is a grill so you can cook on your fire pit! If you are going to leave it outside then you certainly must have a fire pit cover to shield it from the elements. Some also come with tables.

Fire Pit Safety

At all times study the manufacturers directions before you make use of your fire pit. It is not a good proposal to use an outside fire pit on a wood deck, a cement or tile floor or outside on the ground is much safer. You ought to also make certain you don’t use it near to anything that is inflammable such as fences, trees or other wooden items. Piled up dry grass or other dried plant material is also flammable so be cautious if you have just mowed the lawn!

Fire Pit Portability

When you choose the type of outdoor fire pit to buy consider if you want it to be portable. Some of the outdoor gas fire pits are weighty and not really effortless to move. Smaller, lighter fire pits can be transported around or taken with you on trips or to the beach

For more information and some good deals on fire pits visit Outdoor Fire Pits or Outdoor Gas Fire Pits.

How To Build A Fire Pit – Tutorial

Most of you will already know that a fire pit is just a small pit that you start your very own fire in and sit around enjoying it with friends and family. Fire pits are not a new phenomena and have been enjoyed by families for centuries the world over. There is no denying that a fire pit is great for any family or social gathering, you can all sit around and chat with the warmth and radiance emanating from the fire pit. Not only that, you can even use your fire pit for cooking, when camping with friends or family.

However, how do you go about creating the perfect fire pit? That is probably one of the most asked questions whenever anyone is contemplating how to build a fire pit. The key is to learn the basics about how to build a fire pit and the rest will come naturally. When searching for the perfect place to build your fire pit, look for areas that are not surrounded by other combustible materials that could easily set alight. Look for an area where you can build your fire pit in an open space so you can take full advantage of what the fire pit has to offer.

You need to be sure that wherever you choose to build your fire pit you have found the most idyllic and safe position. Now you can really start considering how to build your fire pit. Next, you need to decide upon how wide you want your fire pit to be, this will all depend on the size of the fire you are trying to create. Make sure you do not decide upon a fire pit that is too big otherwise it will create many problems for you. Most times, it is sufficient to make your fire pit with a circumference of around one to two feet.

With the size selection and measuring out of the way you can start building your fire pit. You will need some marking equipment and some digging equipment. Firstly mark out the shape of you fire pit then start digging away at the dirt and make sure that you go deep enough to accommodate the fuel source you are going to use. With this done you can now get some brick pavers to surround your fire pit this is just for added safety.

Now it is time to get the fire pit ready for use. Add some pea gravel and sand into the fire pit hole. This will form the basis of your fire pit. Let this settle overnight and then tomorrow you can get started on concreting the foundations around your fire pit to give the fire pit the permanency that you are looking for. It is that simple, and to think it was only yesterday that you were wondering how to build a fire pit. Now you have your very own fire pit and you can tell your friends how to build a fire pit for themselves.

Learn how to build a fire pit. Shop the largest selection of fire pits online at http://www.premiumfirepits.com