25 Backyard Fire Pit Ideas for Any Budget | Backyard Insider (2024)

FAQs

How to build a fire pit cheap on a budget? ›

Custom-made fire pits create a permanent fixture for your patio. Of course, they're pricier than ready-made models, costing as much as $3,000 to $5,000: You're paying for higher quality of materials and perhaps labor from professionals.

A typical fire pit is 36 - 44 inches in diameter with wood & 22 inches in gas. Square fire pits average interior length between 34 inches to 34 inches in wood and 20 inches in propane. In most instances the external wall should be extended 12-20 cm.

Are fire pits worth the money? In short - yes, absolutely. The main reason they're worth the investment is that they've got multiple uses and they make your patio a multi-season space.

The best materials to put in the bottom of your fire pit are gravel, paver base or fire bricks.

DIYing a fire pit could cost you $300-$1000, depending on the tools and materials you have available. If you hire a contractor, you will pay between $1000-$1500. However, when calculating your costs, you should also factor in how much time DIYing would take you to see if it is worth the cost difference to you or not.

Place your fire pit at a safe distance (10-25 feet) from any flammable structures or surfaces. This includes your house, trees, shed, vehicle, neighbors' property, and wood deck, among other things. Keep your fire pit away from overhanging branches. A 21-foot clearance is standard for most municipalities.

For example, if you want to be able to prop your feet on it, go with one that is about 12 to 14 inches high. If you plan to use the edge of the fire pit as a sitting wall, you'll want it to be about 20 inches. You won't want to go much higher than that, or you won't really be able to enjoy the flames and warmth.

Fire pits can bring many benefits to your home's outdoor space. They are beautiful and functional and increase property value, energy efficiency, and living space. With the right design and maintenance, a fire pit can be a great addition to your home that will be enjoyed for years.

Disadvantages of an Outdoor Fire Pit

If the fire pit is wood burning, the smoke could potentially bother you and clothes may smell like a campfire. Fire pits do not provide the height to a landscape as a fireplace would.

Where is the best place to put a fire pit in your backyard? ›

You can dig a hole for a firepit almost anywhere you want, but you need to ensure they out in the open, far away from buildings, trees or anything else that may catch fire. It's also important to dig your pit in sand, not gravel, where possible.

If a bowl is being used, regular bricks should suffice. Without one, fire bricks constituting the interior layer would be best as they have a natural resistance to the high heat put off by the pit. That increased resistance will keep the aesthetic quality high for a long time.

No , wet cinder blocks or bricks will not explode if used to build a fire pit . However , it is not recommended to use wet materials for a fire pit as they can crack or break due to the extreme heat .

The good news is you don't need to spend a fortune to get a serviceable fire pit that looks the part. You can turn a rusty old cauldron or wheelbarrow that's seen better days into the centrepiece of your backyard. All you need then is some deck chairs, blankets, and marshmallows.

To surround the firepit with pavers, create a 6-inch gravel base topped with 1 inch of coarse concrete sand. Lay the pavers in the pattern of your choice. After the pavers are in place, install a plastic or aluminum-edge restraint. Sweep concrete sand into the joints until the joints are full.