How to Build a Backyard Fire Pit

Fire pits are a great way to make your yard a more enjoyable space and provide a place for you and your friends and family to gather around and spend many wonderful nights. A fire pit can be a simple feature or as elaborate as your mind can imagine.

Fire pits are a great way to make your yard a more enjoyable space and provide a place for you and your friends and family to gather around and spend many wonderful nights.  A fire pit can be a simple feature or as elaborate as your mind can imagine.  When you install a fire pit in your yard, not only do you make your yard a more fun place to be but you add beauty to your yard and value to your home.  And, once a fire pit is installed, very little maintenance is needed so it is a low maintenance feature that will last many, many years for you and your family.  Below we discuss the steps involved in designing and installing your own fire pit.  While some who are confident with tools and home improvement projects will be up to task, weigh yoru abilities carefully and consider whether or not it may be a task better left to the professionals who can give you the fire pit of your dreams.

• Select a Location

When choosing a location for your fire pit there are two things to consider: personal preference and safety.  While it would be fun if all that was needed to consider was personal preference but safety cannot be neglected when it comes to fire.  You want the fire pit in a convenient location that is ideal for use but you also want to ensure there is sufficient space around the fire pit so that the fire is not near your home or any other structure in your yard and not too close to trees or plants that could catch fire.

• Select Design

Before you begin digging, it is important to have a plan.  Decide exactly how big you plan to make your fire pit and the approximate shape of your fire pit.  Once you have done so, you can start marking off the area you will need for your fire pit.

• Purchase Your Supplies

Once you know the design of your fire pit as well as the size, you can head to yoru local hardware store or landscaping center to purchase supplies.  You will need concrete landscape bricks, sand, a level, a rubber mallet, crushed stone and masonry adhesive.

• Dig

Once you have your supplies, you can lay out one layer of your blocks to determine where you will need to dig and then begin to dig.  Dig a hole about 12 inches deep so that you have adequate room to work.

• Add Sand

Pour a two inch layer of sand in the bottom of the hole you have dug.  Tamp down the sand so that it is compact as well as level.

• Lay Concrete Bricks

Lay your first layer of concrete bricks around the outside of the fire pit.  Check again to ensure that everything is level.  Next, apply a layer of your masonry adhesive and install the next layer of concrete bricks staggered so that the seams are offset.  Build your fire pit to an adequate height (most likely at least 4 layers of concrete bricks) to properly retain fire within the pit.

• Add Crushed Stone

Once all layers of the concrete brick have been installed, add approximately 4 inches of crushed stone to the inside of the pit.

• Enjoy a Toasty Fire

Give your fire pit a few days to ensure the adhesive has had adequate time to dry and that everything has settled into place nicely.  After 2-3 days, it is time to enjoy the fire.  Cozy up to the warm flames, break out the marshmallows to toast and enjoy your beautiful new fire pit.