Picture this: It’s a Saturday night in November and there’s a chill in the air. You have invited friends over for dinner and to catch up. Someone turns on the television. Uh-oh. Game on. Talk over. Now try this on for size: You finish dinner, grab jackets and everyone heads outside with dessert and shares stories around your new firepit. Doesn’t that sound like a much better way to spend the evening? #ComeAliveOutside
The relatively mild weather in North Carolina offers residents three solid seasons of outdoor living. When the nights start to cool off, you can still enjoy your backyard by adding a little heat! You can choose a simple firepit or something a little fancier. Use your own chairs or add sitting walls or large rocks as seats. Incorporate the firepit as part of your patio design or create a separate space further away with a lighted walking path or stepping stones to reach it. The alternatives all depend on your property space, layout and your budget.
How much space do I need for a firepit?
Firepits can be created in all shapes and sizes. You will probably want to look at a firepit that will be to scale with your yard, so for a small yard you would choose a smaller firepit and for a larger property you might go with a bigger firepit with a large conversation area. For safety’s sake, the firepit should be placed at least 20 feet away (on all sides) from any structures or things that might catch fire.
My yard is an odd shape (or uneven)
Not every yard is a flat rectangle, but there are generally options to make the property work for you. On an odd shaped property, you might move the firepit and conversation area off to the side and use a walkway to access the space. If your yard is uneven, a retaining wall or terracing could be incorporated to provide a flat space for entertaining.
How much will a firepit cost?
This question is a little harder. You can purchase standalone firepits to be used on your concrete patio (or on a wood deck with a fire barrier) very inexpensively. Optionally, you can have a unique firepit designed to incorporate other features (seating, walkways, walls, or even an outdoor kitchen) to make the most of your outdoor living space. Obviously, the custom design will cost more!
What else do I need to know?
Here are a few other helpful hints:
- Talk to the family about safety around the firepit. Make sure you have a bucket of sand or water nearby for emergencies and use the right tools to add and move logs while the fire is hot.
- Do a regular safety check of the firepit. Over time, thin liners may wear out and need to be replaced.
- If your neighborhood has an HOA, make sure you submit any plans to the Architectural Review Board well ahead of your intended project start date.
- Make sure you store firewood away from the foundation of your home as it can draw termites and other insects.
Ready to get started? Give us a call at (919) 552-7742 to learn more.
