Fire features provide a natural gathering place for your friends and family. Whether you want a fire pit for family campfire sing-alongs and s’mores or guys’ nights talking sports over beer, there’s much to consider when planning to install a backyard fire pit. Our guide will get you started.

Choosing Your Fire Feature Location

Hudson Valley building codes play a role in determining where you can locate your fire pit, so always check first. For instance, a code may mandate the pit be a certain distance from your home or from large trees.

Other considerations when determining where to place your fire feature include nearby shrubs and exterior features. Smoke drifts from fires, so if you located yours too close to a favorite tree or shrub, the plant could sustain damage. Likewise, you wouldn’t want to place the fire next to a swing set.

Your fire feature needs a level location or it might tip over and cause a grass fire. If your ideal site is not level, you will need to level it before proceeding.

What Size

If your fire pit is too large, you will feel far from friends sitting across the campfire. Yet if it’s too small, you will constantly struggle to build a robust fire. A general rule of thumb is to keep the fire pit between 36 and 44 inches in width. This way, you can easily socialize and enjoy a decent-sized fire.

Most fire pits top out at 12 inches in height, but have bases set deep in the earth. This gives them stability.

Materials

Brick, concrete, and natural stone all make great fire pit materials. These natural materials hold up well in all weather and resist heat. If budget is a concern, you can find concrete bricks that have been molded to look more like real stones.

To increase the longevity of your fire pit, use a steel liner like those found at campgrounds. The liners, available at home improvement stores, insulate the brick, concrete, or stones from the heat of the fire. As a result, the material is less likely to dry out and crack.

Once your new fire pit is built, you can begin enjoying it!

Fire Pit Safety

Fires can be dangerous. Please keep basic safety in mind and teach it to all family members. Never leave the fire feature unsupervised when there’s a fire going.  Always leave a bucket of water near the fire so you can put out the embers at the end of the night.

At Kehoe Kustom, we offer hardscaping services including fire pit construction. We’ll create the perfect Hudson Valley fire pit for your home. Let us talk you through the best materials, locations, designs, and size options for your backyard and budget. Reserve a free consultation, contact us today!

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