Outdoor Living

Fire Pits

Create a natural gathering place for cool evenings, long conversations, and one more reason to stay outside.

Room for one more conversation

Design the gathering space around the fire

A fire pit changes where people sit and how they move through the yard. Picture the seats occupied, with room to get up, pass behind chairs, and return to the house without cutting through the center of the group.

Choose the location and intended use before choosing the decorative finish. The proposed fire system, fuel, nearby structures, vegetation, and property requirements all influence where the feature can go.

  • Seating with clear ways in and out
  • A deliberate connection to the patio
  • A suitable location for the chosen system
  • A finish that relates to the home
Raised square fire feature on a paved patio with built-in seat walls

Surface, Comfort And Style

Compare the fire system and surrounding finish

The burner or fire system and its requirements come before the surround. Compare the proposed fuel arrangement, controls, maintenance access, and compatible construction. Select caps and facing materials in context with the adjoining patio.

Consider the site’s wind, exposure, nearby structures, and vegetation with the responsible installer. Operating conditions, clearances, and use restrictions depend on the selected system and applicable requirements, rather than a universal layout.

  1. 01
    LocationThe feature in its setting

    Review structures, planting, wind, and the selected system’s location requirements.

  2. 02
    FuelOperation and connections

    Compare fuel options, controls, access, and the responsibilities for any utility work.

  3. 03
    SeatingRoom to gather

    Test the arrangement with chairs occupied and walking routes kept clear.

  4. 04
    FinishA connection to the patio

    Compare the surround and supporting surface with the rest of the outdoor room.

Planning Your Space

Planning a fire pit

Can a fire pit be added to my existing patio?

That depends on the selected system, patio construction, available space, nearby features, and applicable requirements. Have the proposed location and supporting construction reviewed before choosing the surround.

How much seating space should I plan?

Use the actual chairs or proposed fixed seating to test the arrangement. Allow for occupied seats, movement around them, and the specific fire system’s required clearances. A generic diameter does not establish a safe or comfortable layout.

What should I compare between fire pit options?

Compare fuel, operation, installation requirements, controls, care, appearance, and the utility work involved. Confirm the selected system and installation responsibilities in the proposal.

Create Your Outdoor Space

Give every evening a natural gathering place.

Tell us what you want to change and how you hope to use the finished space. A few current photos are enough to start.