Freya Morris
A fire pit can add beauty, warmth, and light to your outdoor living area—enhancing the space in a way that you can enjoy it to the fullest. Like any aspect of an outdoor living area, time should be taken in the design process to make some key decisions. Of course, many homeowners building an outdoor living area are considering a fire pit for the first time and they don’t know what they like (or might dislike) about one. On some properties, wind patterns blow in more than one direction over time which sometimes is affected by other existing structures, topography, vegetation, etc.
If these factors apply to your property, a wood-burning fire pit simply may not be the best answer if it means smoke is always blowing around. This may lead you to consider an outdoor fireplace, where smoke will be directed up through a chimney and flame protection on three sides from surrounding winds in provided.
If you prefer quick ambiance without the messy tendencies of managing a wood fire, this is something to discuss with your landscape designer. With both gas or wood, local codes also need to be taken into account in terms of how close to your home you can add a fire feature.
Is this a fire pit for you and your spouse to enjoy a glass of wine at on the weekends or are you picturing having a roaring bonfire with several other families?
If you’re envisioning a wall built around your fire pit where you and your guests can sit, then you’ll, of course, need to make sure you have enough room to incorporate something like that on your patio.
But a square design has a different sort of appeal—one that is a bit more modern and might fit on a patio where you don’t envision having big bonfires, but maybe a more cozy and intimate gathering. Talking through these questions with a landscape designer can help you to determine where on your property a fire pit is best situated in order for you to maximize its use and ensure that it’s a feature which enhances your space—not detracts from it.
That’s why it’s so important to work with a landscape company that champions the design process and, like all aspects of your outdoor living area, will think through every possible detail and help you make the best decisions. If you’d like to start a conversation about adding a fire pit, or another type of fire feature, to your complete outdoor living space at your Reading, Lancaster, York, Lebanon, or Hershey, PA home, contact us for a free consultation or give us a call at 717-276-9447.
