Fire Pits and Outdoor Fireplaces to Keep You Warm and Toasty in the Fall

Just because the temperatures are cooler doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy being outdoors. While you may not be able to use that outdoor shower for a while, fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are a great way to enjoy the beauty of this season. They make it easy to enjoy the perfect balance between the sweltering heat of summer and the bitter cold of winter. Whether entertaining family and friends or just enjoying the peace and solitude of your own backyard, these fire pits and outdoor fireplaces can keep you warm and toasty.

Fire Pits

This fire bowl provides warmth and beauty. Image: Power Concrete Construction & Design Center

According to Katie Flaxman, director and co-founder of Studio 31 Landscape Architecture and Garden Design, “Fire pits can be invaluable during the cooler months because they not only provide a source of heat but can also offer a core social and entertaining space.”

A sunken patio creates a cozy atmosphere. Image: SHED Architecture & Design

Sunken pits are also popular. “A sunken terrace area with a fire pit offers shelter and protection from the elements – and also creates a unique and cozy space to huddle up,” Flaxman says. This sunken patio with a fire pit has acid etching to create a nonslip surface.

DIY Fire Pit

A DIY fire pit can save you money. Image: Austin Alvarez

According to Austin Alvarez, who, along with his wife, blogs about his DIY projects at Building Our Rez, you can also build your own DIY fire pit from scratch for less than $75.  “Simply clear the ground cover or grass, spread paver base, lay your concrete blocks and fill the center with pea pebbles,” Alvarez says. The photo above is the fire pit he built himself.

If you need detailed instructions, Michael Provenzano, marketing manager of adhesives and sealants at PPG (makers of LIQUID NAILS® adhesives), offers more.

Step 1.

Choose an area at least 25 feet from your home. This should be an area with no trees nearby and no overhanging branches.  Provenzano says it’s also a good idea to research the fire regulations in your area.

Step 2.

Measure the area you want to use for the fire pit. Depending on the condition of the area, it may be necessary to create a sand bed or remove the soil’s top level. If the latter, be sure to contact your local utility company before you start digging. That way, you won’t unintentionally hit any underground utility lines.

Step 3.

Lay blocks in your desired style, placing a 1/4-inch continuous line (bead) of LIQUID NAILS FUZE*IT® All Surface Construction Adhesive roughly 1.5 inches from the front and back edges of the blocks. Install a metal insert to ensure the adhesive does not come into contact with the open flame.  

Step 4.

Wait at least 24 hours for the adhesive to cure before using any new fire pits.

A wood-burning, stacked-stone fireplace. Image: PlyGem

Fireplaces

If you want a larger, more permanent source of outdoor heat, consider building a fireplace to create warmth and beauty. Whereas fire pits have a low profile, fireplaces can be built to any height. As a result, they can provide privacy and add architectural detail to the exterior of your home.

A complete outdoor entertaining area. Image: Paradise Restored Landscaping & Exterior Design

“Along with a fireplace, well-placed and subtle lighting can make your backyard a welcoming one all year round,” says Flaxman. “Of course, for those on a larger budget, there is also the option of a pergola, which adds additional protection from the elements.”

Ventless Fireplace

A ventless fireplace is perfect for rooftop entertaining. Image: HearthCabinet Ventless Fireplaces

Some consumers opt for a ventless fireplace. According to Arthur Lasky, president of HearthCabinet Ventless Fireplaces and principal at Silberstang Lasky Architects, ventless fireplaces use alcohol-based cartridges composed of a clean-burning mixture of alcohol and water. “They are safe and easy to use and create lively, beautiful, real golden flames that also crackle.”

No gas or electricity is needed. Lasky says the cartridges last anywhere from 2 hours to 2.5 hours, similar to a real log, but without the smoke.

Fire Safety

While enjoying the beauty of a fire pit or fireplace, don’t forget to exercise caution. Caitlin Hoff, health and safety investigator at ConsumerSafety.org, offers the following tips:

An Oriflamme Hammered Copper gas fire pit. Image: Patterson Custom Homes

Keep your children and pets away from the fire. “This is a good rule of thumb for any open flame or heating source in your home to protect your children and pets from burns or greater accidents caused by a fire,” Hoff says. “Three feet is a generally safe distance to keep between the fire and all family members.”

To avoid excess smoke inhalation while sitting around a fire, burn only dry material and use vents to direct the smoke upwards, not outwards. “Logs or sticks that are damp will increase the amount of smoke when burned.” Hoff explains that excess smoke inhalation can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. Some people may also experience breathing issues or nausea.

This is a three-season porch. Image: Marshall Morgan Erb Design Inc

Never leave a fire unattended in your outdoor fireplace. “Even models that include a screen can allow small embers to drift out, starting a home fire,” Hoff says. “Supervision is imperative!”

Do not use an outdoor fireplace or fire pit that has seen significant rust or damage. “If the structure were to collapse while a fire is burning within, it could start a fire or injure those nearby.”

A remote fireplace. Image: Kikucki + Kankel Design Group

Keep several buckets of water or sand or a fire extinguisher nearby in case of an emergency. “If you prefer a fire extinguisher, be sure to the read the directions for your specific model and understand how to properly use it should an emergency occur,” Hoff says.

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