#BUILD A RECTANGLE FIRE PIT HOW TO#

When working with stone in particular, you'll need to learn how to use a chipping hammer to reform stones and also how to create filler stones.Īnother option is to use a molded concrete block-type product that mimics the look of stone without some of the inconvenience of working with the real thing. For both brick and stone, you'll also have to learn a few masonry tricks. Although natural stone is beautiful, it can be difficult to work with because no two stones are exactly alike. Beyond that, your budget, ease of use and finished appearance will be important considerations in choosing a fire pit style and material. The purpose of stone and brick construction is to create a solid wall surrounding your pit that will contain the heat and flames and protect the fire from windy conditions. If you want to create an outdoor fire feature that has it all, think vertical and build an outdoor fireplace. Outdoor fireplaces - The ultimate fire pit isn't a pit at all, it's a fireplace for outdoor spaces.How about an old concrete washing tub, a tractor tire rim or an old washing machine drum for the foundation of your fire pit? If you have an intrepid spirit, you can try some unique or outlandish designs for fire pits, too. Unique pits - This is where the fun begins.They can make a narrow patio look deeper and also work well with other features, like ponds and pools. Rectangular pits - If you want a large pit that will accommodate a crowd, rectangular fire pits are an attractive accompaniment to long bench seating.

If you'd like to give your garden a feng shui vibe, they can add a Zen feel to a large space and offer structure and a formal feel.

Square pits - Square fire pits will typically require more space than their round counterparts and can look boxy, especially in tiny locations.

This is also a great configuration in which to use a dramatic prefabricated dish or bowl. If you do quite a bit of outdoor entertaining - or want to - using a round fire pit as a conversational grouping area will allow everyone to interact easily.

Round pits - Like a round dinner table (with flaming coals in the middle), round fire pits make effective conversation areas.

Here is a list of some shapes you may consider: That doesn't mean a savvy and ingenious DIYer couldn't make one in any shape that took his - or your - fancy. As fun as fire pits are, they can be dangerous, and if your property doesn't have enough open area, well, how about building a nice water feature instead?įrom a design standpoint, fire pits often conform to a few basic shapes and styles. It's also why any DIY fire pit project you undertake should include selecting a level spot at least 10 feet away from trees, shrubs and anything else that could catch an errant spark and burn - including your house. That's why heat-containing materials like stone, ceramic, metal and brick are always employed in fire pit design. Although you can build a wood burning fire pit or use another fuel source, such as gas logs, the most important consideration is safety. If you've ever been camping, you've seen the ubiquitous fire rings that dot campsites across the country. If you've never worked with masonry before, taking a quick primer on the basics would be a good idea, too. Whether you're using brick, stone or concrete, there'll be some toting involved. As DIY projects go, this one has a few challenges involved, not the least of which is handling the raw materials.

#BUILD A RECTANGLE FIRE PIT FREE#

We will also offer some tips and tricks for a safe and hassle free installation.

#BUILD A RECTANGLE FIRE PIT INSTALL#

In the next few pages, we'll take a look at how to plan and install a fire pit in your landscape. The one thing they all have in common, though, is an ability to put on a light show and create a cozy al fresco atmosphere in outdoor rooms. They can be made from a variety of materials and fashioned in many styles and a number of sizes. These ingenious devices can be fashioned to look like small ponds of flame and do double duty as outdoor grills, too. Of course, we're referring to the last word in outdoor luxury, the fire pit. If you love a crackling fire in the hearth, you'll be mesmerized by the warm, dancing flames that will create a focal point in your garden and give your outdoor guests something more entertaining to talk about than the mosquitoes. Ah, fire - early man mastered it, and modern man uses it for recreation.

Build a rectangle fire pit