Can You Put A Fire Pit On A Paver Patio A Simple Guide
Fire pits are one of the most elegant pieces of hardscape elements you can include in your project. Many homeowners often decide to base a whole paver installation using a fire pit as a centerpiece. But then comes the question: can you put a fire pit on a paver patio?
Since it involves fire, something that can be damaging to some kinds of pavers, homeowners can sometimes be a little reluctant when it comes to incorporating a fire pit in their project.
But worry not, it is perfectly possible to put a fire pit on a patio. As long as you follow our instructions, answer some preliminary questions, and plan ahead, everything should be fine.
So lets start by clarifying some things and asking you some simple questions, and then we will point towards the right direction on what to do.
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Outline Your Fire Pit
If youre working directly on top of pavers, make an outline of your fire pit with chalk. If youre working directly on the ground, anything you can use to make marks on it is fine.
This is the phase where youre going to experiment. Move your pavers around, see how you like their position. Take your time to make sure things are precisely how you want them to be.
If youre using a steel ring, your options are limited, as the pavers will need to be surrounding it. Still, youre only limited by your creativity.
Can Pavers Be Used For A Fire Pit
You probably heard all the horror stories. A family would be lounging in their backyard one evening, when suddenly their fire pit explodes, launching them into the air and pieces of their backyard scattered about.
Thats why youre probably wondering: are pavers safe? Can they be used to build a fire pit?
The answer is yes. Only, you should still use them with caution. Well elaborate in a bit, but first, lets talk about the legal aspects of fire pits because whats the point of diving deeper if youre not allowed to build one!
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Do You Dream Of A Cozy Fire Pit In Your Backyard With A Gorgeous Paver Patio For Entertaining Weve Got You Covered With This Step By Step Tutorial For How To Build A Paver Patio With Fire Pit Which Includes A Video
Thank you to Keystone Hardscapes for sponsoring this paver patio with fire pit tutorial! All opinions are entirely my own. This post also contains affiliate links, but nothing that I wouldnt recommend wholeheartedly. Read my full disclosure here.
This paver patio project has been a LONG time comin. Weve been planning this big backyard makeover for over a year now. The paver patio with fire pit was a dream that weve had all along and Im so glad we finally made it happen.
And this is a dream that I want to see YOU make happen too! Thats why were breaking this way down and spilling all of the details on how we built this paver patio in our backyard.
Pavers To Make A Circle
Heres one more thing about pavers for fire pits: choosing the shape.
If you want to build a fire pit ring, you should choose trapezoid pavers, also known as wall blocks. These can be placed snuggly against each other in a circle without any gaps between them.
For rectangular or square fire pits, pavers with square sides will work just fine. But theyre not suitable for ring pits because there will be gaps if you try to line them in a circle.
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A Fire Pit Seating Area And Patio With Bluestone Paver Around A Pool
This is a large backyard in a cottage style, which features a rectangular and stone pool.
Next to the pool, there is a patio with a fire pit and four armchairs. Basically, this is not really a patio since it uses a floor instead of a paver.
The paver here is a Bluestone Select Blue in running bond pattern. It is 18 x 36. The designer also used mason mix by Quickcrete for the grout. It looks nice surrounding the pool. If you are wondering, the pool is 40×18.
The loveliest part of this backyard is the fire pit. It looks unique and unusual. It is a custom fire pit that was designed by the designer.
The fire pit is basically a board from concrete and topped with Ipe wood. Inside, it features the fire rocks and a metal insert with the fire ring. This is a gas fire pit. The homeowner can turn the fire pit on with a gas key, thanks to the connection of the gas line and the fire pit.
Can You Put A Fire Pit On A Patio Important Questions
Before moving any further, we first have to understand what exactly your project consists of. So first, lets ask two questions to establish some basic rules.
- Are you incorporating a fire pit on a pre-existing installation, or starting a new installation from the ground up?
- Are you using porous or non-porous pavers?
- Is the material youre using fire-resistant?
Depending on your answer to each of those questions, you will have to approach things differently.
If you are incorporating a fire pit on a pre-existing installation, you can safely build one on top of it, as long as the pavers youre using are porous and fire-resistant.
If they are not, it is recommended that you remove some pavers and expose the ground beneath, so you can then build your fire pit around it.
The same rule applies if you are starting a new installation and are already accounting for the fire pit.
If youre using porous and fire-resistant pavers, you can either make the installation as you normally would or already leave some ground exposed in which to build the fire pit around.
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How To Put A Fire Pit On A Paver Patio
The first thing youre going to need, beside the pavers themselves, is either a steel ring or a set of fire bricks, to serve as isolation for your fire pit.
The only other things youre going to need is a good construction adhesive, a level, metal edge restrainers and fire rocks to place at the bottom of your fire pit.
So lets give you a step by step guide on how to build your own fire pit.
Fire Pits And Fireplaces
Everyone loves to gather around a fire with a favorite drink, and when you bring out the marshmallows for toasting, young and old will want to join in. There is a fire feature for virtually any size yard. Learn more about How to Choose between a Fire Pit and a Fireplace.
Low End: $2,500 for a wood burning fire pit.
High End: $5,000 for a gas burning fire pit model.
An outdoor fireplace makes your patio feel like an extension of your living room and has visual impact.
Low End: $7,500 for a basic wood burning fire place with no wood storage.
High End: $20,000 for a custom gas or wood burning fireplace and wood storage.
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Patio Fire Pit Boosts Resale Values
Besides just having fun with your Texas custom patios in Dallas, the metroplexs market has proven that adding a custom patio can significantly increase the value of your home. So, if you are considering putting your home on the market, this is the prime time to add in a few upgrades.
This will not just increase the value, but it will give potential homebuyers another reason to fall head over heels in love with your home. Its all about making your space stand out above and beyond all the others that are for sale.
Adding a patio fire pit is a wonderful place to start. It will draw their eyes into your backyard, and they will naturally want to stay a while too. Making your space feel inviting is essential as adding value to your home because the potential buyers will be able to naturally see themselves living there this way.
Build The Fire Pit First
If the patio isnt yet built, making a fire pit first and then constructing around it is the easiest way to do it. This will save you material expenses, make cleanup simpler, and protect the patio from the heat. It is also a great way to add an interesting feature to an otherwise bland space.
Dig a Hole in The Ground that Is at Least 24 Inches Deep and 30 Inches Wide.
The first thing you need to do is dig a hole in the ground. Make sure it is at least 24 inches deep and 30 inches wide so there is plenty of space for the fire pit and people to gather around it. You will also want to make sure the hole is in an area that is easily accessible so you can get to it when you need to.
Line the Bottom of The Hole with Bricks or Pavers.
Once the hole has been dug, line the bottom with bricks or pavers so the fire pit will be stable. This will also help protect the patio from the heat.
Build a Fire Pit Using Bricks or Pavers.
Once the hole is lined, you can start building the fire pit. Use bricks or pavers to create a square or circular shape and make sure it is stable. You may also want to add a layer of concrete around the bottom for extra protection.
Add a Layer of Gravel to The Bottom of The Hole.
Before adding the fire pit, add a layer of gravel to the bottom of the hole. This will help with drainage and make it easier to clean up any ashes or embers that may fall from the pit.
Put the Fire Pit in Place and Fill It Around with Dirt.
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Lay Landscape Fabric And Gravel Base And Compact
Next, make sure the dirt inside the trenched area is level and then put down landscape fabric.
Then bring in your 3/4 minus gravel and spread evenly. We did 4 1/2 inches of gravel base. Once this base is compacted it ended up around 4 inches.
Once you have the gravel spread evenly to the retaining wall, use a Plate Compactor to press the gravel together. You can rent this at a local tool/equipment rental shop.
If your paver patio is small, you could get away with tamping the gravel by hand.but its not fun and this was well worth the rental fee.
It is best to compact in a circular fashion and compact your entire gravel base at least 2 to 3 times. This makes sure that the gravel is completely compact and adds life to your paver patio.
When using the plate compactor, you should compact in 4 increments if you plan on having a gravel bed more than 6. You lose the ability to compact lower layers when you go over 6.
Butwill My Pavers Explode Like Popcorn
Now for the materials you shouldnt use. Your pavers may explode if you use the wrong materials. Do not, we repeat, do not use concrete blocks, pea gravel, or river rocks to build any part of your pit.
The problem with these materials is that they hold water and when subjected to heat, steam gets trapped inside them with nowhere to go. And then boom! They may explode like popcorn.
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Patio Fire Pit With Built
As you may be able to tell, Im a huge fan of firepits with a bench built into the back! There are so many reasons this is a great combination.
The seating area is in a spot that will be used frequently, so its practical, but it also looks gorgeous. This is a great way to finish off the patio design.
Building A Fire Pit With Pavers
Before starting your project, you have to contact your local authorities to know about open fire regulations. This is a step that cannot be skipped.
You have to be guided on the proper distance from building and tress, the times youre allowed to use the fire pit, what kind of fuel is acceptable. There are many factors involved that only your local authorities can help you with.
Once youre cleared, you can start your project.
If you decided to acquire a set of pavers designed to build a fire pit, you have nothing to worry about. These sets are really simple to use, and they usually come with a thorough set of instructions that you can follow.
But if you decided to build one on your own, we hope the following tips can help you along the way.
If youre building a custom fire pit, you can let your creativity flow. You can use any kind of paver, as long as they are fire-resistant and that you plan your design ahead of time.
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Japanese Garden With Cobblestone Paver Patio And A Metal Fire Bowl Pit
Basically, this is not a large backyard. However, the designer managed to create some different spots in this yard.
This whole landscape looks a lot like a Japanese garden. It features a bamboo water feature, outdoor dining area, a pergola, paver patio, outdoor bamboo bench, fire pit and stools, lattice, metal roof, privacy screens, and paver walkway.
The covered area features so many little details. But they all come beautifully together. The structure is 12×12 from post to post.
For your info, the black circle on the backside of this pergolas structure is hand-made and hand steamed. It really takes a super detailed task to complete this look. That black circle really stands out at night.
The slats are built in detail to let the outdoor lighting shine up thru the slats and truly show that black circle when the sun goes down.
The patio area is completed with a metal fire pit bowl. This lovely fire pit can be purchased at paloform.com. The fire pit is surrounded by three matching stools and a lovely bamboo bench from Home Goods. The paver is from Mutual Materials. It is a Roman Cobblestone in Summit Blend.
Stone Fire Pit With Half Wall
Fire pit pavers with a half wall match almost any home decor! What’s more, it makes use of the same process as building the typical round stone fire pit. However, adding half walls to it will require more stone bricks, heavy-duty glue, or cement.
If your backyard is too bare and boring, then you should opt for this fire pit idea as it impressively utilizes space.
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Creating The Patio Base
Next, we created the patio base.
We started by spreading a thin layer of crushed gravel over the whole area then compacted it using a plate compactor. We repeated that step until we had a 4 compacted layer of gravel .
Then we laid 2- ½ pipes parallel each other, but a few feet apart, in one corner of the area and poured sand around them. Once we had a generous amount of sand, I took a 2×4 and using the pipes as my guide, pulled the board down the pipes, eventually creating a super even layer . This process is called screeding. We had to add a little sand in any low spots that appeared, and screeded again until it was smooth. The pipes lifted out easily, and I was able to fill in the valleys created by them when I laid the pavers. We then lightly sprayed it down with water to help compact it.
Modern Patio With Concrete Paver And Black Metal Fire Pit
This is a modern patio with a nice combination of neutral colors. It is a considerably large patio completed with two different areas, the high and the low ones.
The high area features two chairs and one round table. It leads to the main house. The low area features a set of benches on the opposite side of the fire pit.
The most striking element in this patio is, of course, the fire pit. It adds more elegance to this modern backyard.
The fire pit is a custom-built product. It was built by a local Portland blacksmith and designed by Risa Boyer Architecture. It was made out of deform metal.
If you are wondering, there is a gas line that runs to the fire pit underground. When it comes to the dimension, the fire pit is roughly 2 wide and 4.5 long. It is a gas fire pit, by the way.
The patio next to the fire pit is made up of concrete pavers. It is a dry set over a sand bed. Those pavers are from Mutual Materials and in Charcoal color. Concrete pavers Mutual Materials are known as great concrete paver. So, it is highly recommended to purchase this one if you are paving your own patio.
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Trendy Granite Fieldstone Paver Patio With Semicircle Bench Around A Fire Bowl Pit
If you are into something trendy and modern, you might get your inspiration from this patio.
This is a simple yet trendy patio with a fire bowl as its highlight. The fire bowl pit is installed near the stone bench. The half-circular stone bench creates a full circle with the related paving, whose center sets on the edge of the patio.
The fire bowl is a cast iron. It was purchased from Mill Stones millstones.com. The stunning part of this bowl is it is lit from below. The lights are low voltage landscape lights recessed into the beach pebble surround at the base of the bowl. Additionally, the designer picked a yellow lens for the lights to create a warmer look.
The paver here is a granite fieldstone. It is the same with the seat wall. The wall is a combination of a Bedford Limestone custom cut seat and a split-faced granite fieldstone.