S'mores, blankets, fire pits ... oh my!

Fall is here! It's a crisp 63* around here today & that's about as "fall-ish"as we get down in LA ... Lower Alabama! It makes me want to grab my wife & kids, and head to the back yard to make s'mores, tell ghost stories & just enjoy being together. Maybe it makes you feel that way, too. Fire pits are extremely popular for outdoor living, as they can be used all year long & provide a great ambiance to your home. The growing trend of purchasing and building an outdoor fire pit may inspire you to jump on the bandwagon, but there a few things to consider when choosing one.

Budget

Depending on whether you want to start a simple DIY project or go all out for a full-scale entertainment center built by professionals, your fire pit or stone fire pit costs can vary over a wide range. A small fire pit that you’d only use occasionally can be as low as $400. These can be obtained at a hardware store, but often will rust through the bottom & need to be replaced every year...and make a huge mess in the process. Professionally designed & installed fire pits are definitely the way to go, and they add great value to your home in addition to the enjoyment you'll have from using it.

Stone Fire Pit Materials

Fire pits interiors are usually made of metal or fire-resistant stone. They can also be made of concrete or clay. While metal is very functional, you also need to consider which ones can be safely exposed to the outside elements in all types of weather.  Some - like copper and iron - can rust or oxidize.

A stone fire pit, constructed from PentaBlock, has the benefit of bringing natural landscapes into your backyard, with a variety of colors available. No two stone fire pits are exactly alike, nor do the colors fade. Stone can be tumbled to soften their angles and add sheen, or left raw for a more rustic look.  A stone fire pit also won’t be damaged from cold weather or rain.

Gravel or lava rock is recommended for the pit’s base.  Logs are also considered good material for fuel, but the smoke from wood can also be dangerous to human health.

Legal and Safety Issues

The fuel you’ll use will present its own set of concerns. Check your local municipality’s laws about what fuels are legal. Burning wood outdoors could actually be prohibited due to air quality concerns, but this fear can be mitigated with a ‘smokeless insert’.  Gas or propane are also popular fuel choices.

The simplest and safest route for your own stone fire pit is to get professional builders and installers.  We will be sure that your fire pit not only looks beautiful, but will also keep your family & the environment safe.

Location

Deciding where to place your fire pit can be a big decision for some people. It’s recommended to be careful about building your fire pit on a level surface. In addition, you should make sure there are no low-hanging tree branches and the area has enough room for smoke and heat to escape. This will prevent smoke or fire getting to your roof, awnings, railings, or furniture. At least 7 feet of space around the outer surface of your fire pit is optimal.

As always, you know you can call E-Scapes of Mobile to create a custom fire pit for you. We are the preferred source for your quality hardscape needs & the ONLY distributor of Pentablock on the Gulf Coast.

-Clint