Roast Marshmallows & Share Memories Around a Custom Fire Pit
You’ve finally finished off a lengthy renovation. Your home has new hardwood floors, a remodeled kitchen, and you’ve created the open concept you’ve always wanted. Now it’s time to turn your designer eye towards your backyard. If your outdoor space is limited or you want to cut back on your budget, a fire pit is the perfect solution.
There are many reasons why fire pits make impressive additions. They vastly improve the ambience of any outdoor space, ensuring your friends and family have the warmth, light, and comfort they need to enjoy the great outdoors to the fullest – no matter the weather or time of year.
Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service has been upgrading backyards throughout Raleigh and Broadway for almost two decades. You can count on our team to build you a custom fire pit that you and your family can enjoy for years to come. Give us a call at 919-747-1859 or schedule an appointment online now.
Why Should I Build a Custom Fire Pit in My Backyard?
Fire pits are known for offering a more controlled type of fire, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable time for everyone involved. You won’t have to stress about small children or pets getting hurt, and there’s no risk of flames spreading to other parts of your yard. You’ll stay cozy, comfortable, and well-protected, making it easier than ever to create the perfect night outdoors. To top it off, fire pits are easy to operate and are user-friendly, so you won’t have to worry about wasting time getting things going.
Matching a fire pit to your backyard aesthetic won’t be a problem either. We can create a custom fire pit for you in just about any size, style, or design you can imagine. Every aspect of the fire pit can be customized to match your preferences — down to every last detail — and we even build them on-site, guaranteeing the best and most efficient experience possible.
All of these benefits work together to ensure you get your money’s worth and end up with a fire pit that will add to your enjoyment of your home and add to the value of your home — making it much more desirable to potential buyers, should you choose to sell down the line.
Is a Fire Pit the Same as an Outdoor Fireplace?
No, a fire pit and an outdoor fireplace aren’t the same. Although they’re both heating appliances that can double as alternative cooking methods, they are very different.
An outdoor fireplace is a more enclosed structure that’s meant to mimic a traditional indoor fireplace, whereas a fire pit has an open fire feature that is ground-level or raised slightly. It has a fire bowl or pit where the fire is burned and can be made from various materials like concrete, brick, or stone.
The most noteworthy feature of a fire pit is its 360-degree design. It’s good for intimate evenings with friends and family, and it’s a great choice for backyards that are low on space. One of the drawbacks of a fire pit is that it’s more difficult to contain the fire in windy conditions. If that’s a concern, a mesh screen cover is a quick and cheap fix that can eliminate the risk of stray embers.
Do You Need to Vent an Outdoor Fire Pit?
At Mr. Smokestack, we usually install two vents on opposite sides of the fire pit to allow various exit points for heat and gas. Wood-burning fire pits need air vents to ensure that the fire has enough oxygen to continue burning properly, as well as limit carbon monoxide from building up to dangerous levels.
A gas fire pit will need ventilation to prevent the accumulation of carbon monoxide. In addition, propane gas outweighs air and it can sink to the bottom of the pit and become trapped. If a spark hits the stored gas or the heat inside the pit becomes too high, the gas could catch fire. Natural gas isn’t as heavy as propane, but it can also get trapped in the bottom of the pit.
What Type of Gas Can I Burn in My Outdoor Fire Pit?
Propane and natural gas are the two most common types of gas used for outdoor fire pits. Which one is right for you? That depends on what you need, but here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re debating your options:
- Propane Gas Fire Pits: Propane is a clean-burning gas that is stored in portable tanks. These fire pits come with a propane burner and a control knob or valve that lets you control the height and intensity of the flames. Propane tanks are readily available, and you can replace or refill them when empty.
- Natural Gas Fire Pits: Natural gas fire pits are connected to the home’s natural gas line. They are designed specifically for natural gas and cannot use propane without being modified. Natural gas is a cost-effective and convenient fuel source for outdoor fire pits, as you don’t need to worry about running out of fuel.
Do I Need a Permit for a Fire Pit?
Whether or not you need a permit depends on where you live. Although there are state and county ordinances in place, permit requirements are usually determined by local government.
But you can leave all of that stuff to us. We’ll check with your town and secure a permit if it’s needed, make sure that there’s enough space between your home and the fire pit, and see if your town requires spark screens or mesh covers. We’ll coordinate any permit fees and follow-up inspections with you.
What are the clearances for a fire pit?
Again, that depends on your location. However, it’s typical for a city to mandate that there is a minimum of 10 to 20 feet between the fire pit and any buildings, fences, overhanging tree branches, and shrubs.
Can I Install My Own Fire Pit?
We strongly advise against a DIY approach to fire pit installation if you don’t have the experience and knowledge needed to complete the job safely. Installing a fire pit is a more complex and intense project than meets the eye. You’d need to have masonry expertise, landscaping skills, and the know-how to work with gas connections, otherwise you’d be putting your home (and neighboring houses, for that matter) at unnecessary risk.
The crew at Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service has almost 20 years of experience installing fire pits and running gas lines. Homeowners who try to take on projects of this scope by themselves usually end up calling us midway through because they get overwhelmed or something has gone wrong. Save yourself the time, energy, and money by bringing us in from the get-go.
How Much Does It Cost To Have an Outdoor Fire Pit Installed?
Our fire pits are custom-built to fit the wants and needs of each of our customers. Taste and style can vary from homeowner to homeowner, and we don’t want to box you in based on someone else’s preferences. It’s our job to bring your vision to life, and your firebox will be made with the materials you like and to the specifications that fit your space.
Get in touch with our customer service team and we can start to figure out what works for your budget.
Trust Mr. Smokestack to Build Your Customized Fire Pit
Are you ready to take the next step and install a fire pit in your backyard? Reach out to Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service for all of your outdoor heating needs. We’ve been at this since 2006 and there isn’t a better team to trust to build the perfect fire pit.
Call us at 919-747-1859 or schedule online with us now. We can’t wait to get to work!
When you think of improving your outdoor living experience, is an outdoor fireplace at the top of yur list? No worries – we have the right outdoor product for you!