Fire pit Archives - Fieldstone Center

Building a Backyard Fire Pit

fieldstoneadmin — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 07:45:00 +0000

Backyard fire pits are a popular landscaping feature that add beauty and functionality to your space while creating a gathering area for family and friends. For safety purposes, you should build your fire pit with fireproof material on a flat, level area at least 25 feet away from structures and trees. As styles and shapes of fire pits vary, it is important to research building codes and homeowner associations prior to construction.

Materials

Fire pits can be constructed out of stone, concrete pavers, or other materials so long as they are not flammable, porous, or water-retaining building materials. The inner wall must be made of fireproof building materials, and the outer walls should still be heat-resistant, but can be made stone, masonry blocks, and concrete pavers.

It is very important to choose your building materials wisely. Hard rocks like granite, marble, or slate are dense and less likely to absorb water, therefore safer to use when constructing it. Additional rocks that are safe to use are fire-rate bricks, lava glass, and lava rocks. You must choose stones that can withstand high temperatures. Follow these best practices when building a fire pit.

Constructing Your Fire Pit

Step 1

Select the location and shape. The style and shape (ring or square) will determine the types of stone you will need to purchase.

Step 2

Mark the site and prepare the area.

For circular fire pits, pound a stake into the ground to mark the center of the fire pit wall. Tie a string to the stake and also tie it to the can of spray paint you will be using to mark off the outer edge of the fire pit. Pull the string taut (ensuring you do not pull too tight, causing the stake to move) and walk around the stake as you spray your circumference. Dig the space out to a depth of about 7 inches, keeping the ground level. Measure the inside of the fire pit wall and mark off that area using the spray paint.
For a square fire pit, lay out the first layer of stone for your design on the ground and check the layout. You can use a shovel to outline the perimeter, and then remove the blocks to excavate the land. Pack down the land with a hand tamper.

Step 3

Build the base. You can add gravel on the compacted dirt (about 5 inches) to create a base for your pit or use a concrete solution. For circular pits using concrete, you would lay the concrete in between the two circles. If using gravel, wet it thoroughly with a hose and use a hand tamper to compact it into a hard layer a couple of inches below the surface.

Step 4

Lay out the perimeter. For a gravel base, place the stones around the perimeter of the hole, pushing them together, ensuring they are touching. Use a level to make sure the height stays consistent. For a concrete base, mix mortar and shovel it on top of the concrete base for a depth of about 2 inches. Lay then stones around the outside perimeter on the mortar.

If you are not using an inside wall for a gravel pit, continue layering the stones on top of the previous stones to get your desired look. You will need to add construction adhesive to each layer to bond everything in place (after you have laid out the design). Once the adhesive has been placed, refit the stones, and continue the process until your desired height is achieved. Test fit the fire pit bowl and make sure the lip fits fully on the edge of the top row. The fire pit bowl remains removable, which makes for easy cleaning.
If you are building your fire pit on an existing patio, you will need to cement the bottom layer to the patio to keep it from shifting. The gravel inside the pit is also not necessary.

Step 5

Lay out the inside wall. With mortar in place, you can now start placing your inside stone around the inner perimeter of the fire pit. Make sure each stone is level and fill the gaps in between each stone with wet mortar, scraping away excess. Continue this process of building both the outside and inside perimeters, using mortar to adhere each stone to one another. You can use additional stones to fill in any gaps between the two walls.

Step 6

Spray the stones on the inside of the fire pit with a high-heat stove paint. Fill the base layer inside the fire pit with crushed lava rock or small volcanic ash of about 3 inches. When everything is complete, remove excess mortar.

If you want to add an additional layer of beauty around your fire pit, you can dig out the surrounding area of the fire pit. After the dirt has been removed, add landscape fabric to the area to prevent weeds. Then add crushed stone to make the area fire safe.

At Fieldstone Center, we have all of your stone, masonry, and landscaping needs, including a fire pit with steel ring and grate 4 tier. Our team of experts and dedicated staff are here to help answer any questions you may have. Contact us today or stop by!

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Creating an Outdoor Space of Luxury

fieldstoneadmin — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 15:54:43 +0000

Are you thinking of how you can spend more time outside by creating an outdoor space of luxury? The fall season is here and with it are thoughts that inspire us to be outside more frequently. As the temperatures cool, you might be thinking of ways to increase your outdoor space with improvements that create the life of luxury.

We’ve got ideas to make luxurious outdoor improvements!

Fire Pit Area

A warm fire blazing in a fire pit is the quintessential gathering place on cool, fall nights. But it doesn’t have to be a few boulders piled in a circle on the dirt. When thinking luxury for your backyard, create a patio and seating area that centers around the fire pit.

Flagstone is a popular surface for the patio and seating area. A great choice for the patio is Midwestern Irregular Flagstone, which has a beautiful mix of browns, reds, and tans in an irregular shape for a rustic look.

An ultra-cozy design that provides intimacy is one that is partially enclosed with built-in seating that circles around the fire pit. A short retaining wall also works well for a partial enclosure that encircles chairs around the fire pit.

Private Garden Nook

Hardscape and greenery complement each other well and can provide the perfect, private garden nook. Imagine having a cozy little corner tucked away on your property. You can have this tranquil space all to yourself. Use your natural trees or plants as a border to surround the nook or build a rock wall for privacy.

A gravel footpath can give the walk to your private garden nook simplicity to clear away the cluttered mind. Bring out your creative mood when you get there by laying Cherokee Flagstone with its mixed shapes and sparkle in the finish.

Don’t forget to place a bench or small table and chair set for relaxing when you reach your hideaway. Cherokee Flagstone can also be used to build a wall veneer for a small waterfall that creates ambience for peace and solitude.

Outdoor Kitchen

Today when people think of outdoor luxuries, they automatically think of an outdoor kitchen and dining area. Why not? Outdoor kitchens provide a luxurious entertainment area for your family and friends.

You have many options for what you want to include in your outdoor kitchen. A wood fired pizza oven can give you the rich flavor and traditional cooking practices that bring out your culinary passion while a built-in grill provides convenience. For more convenience, incorporate a sink or wet bar.

When it is time to build, there are many types of stone veneer products to provide the perfect look you want. One such look we recommend is our Bluff Limestone Rubble that has colorful tones of beige and off white, with some subtle shades of gray.

Get more ideas on the best stone products to use for your outdoor luxuries when youvisit Fieldstone Center. We have a large variety of stone products for all your landscaping needs. Call us at (770) 385-7708 to schedule an appointment.

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How to Transform Your Outdoor Space with Stone

fieldstoneadmin — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 09:00:59 +0000

If you want to extend your living area to the outdoors, choose stone for its versatility to create the outdoor space of your dreams. Stone is a beautiful choice that can add luxury for entertaining or increase the charm of a rustic retreat. It can also help increase your property value.

Ideas for transforming your outdoor space:

Customized walkways

Create ambience immediately with a customized stone walkway that leads you and your guests to your paradise. When you replace the concrete, you have many beautiful options such as laying flagstone. Lay the flagstone down in a regular pattern for a sophisticated setting or mix the flagstone with aggregates for a rustic appearance.

Raised garden beds

Go vertical with your garden when you stack drystone to raise your garden beds. By using varying heights and textures of stone to show off your beds you can add amazing visual appeal. Use larger stone products to make your space appear larger and smaller aggregates to draw attention to the details. Place stones uniformly for a structured look or randomly for a more casual look.

Outdoor kitchen

The outdoor kitchen has become a central gathering place for many backyards. Think beyond the standard grill when you add all the essentials – oven, fridge, sink, wet bar, etc. – for your outdoor convenience. Stone veneer is a great product for building your outdoor kitchen and will impress everyone.

Fire pit

Imagine having a relaxing fire pit area to head to once the grilling is done and the evening sets in. Design a fire pit with pavers or stacked stone. For the full luxury experience, expand the stone area to include a paved area and built-in seating.

Columns and retaining walls

Increase the glamour of your space when you dress it up with stone veneer columns. Add the feeling of a private room when you build a retaining wall enclosure. Or choose to partially enclose the area. A wall along the back gives the appearance of privacy because it sets the area apart.

When you transform your outdoor space using stone, you have a wide selection to choose from. Stone products offer abundant color palates and unlimited pattern options to create the look and feel you want. Contact Fieldstone Center at 770-385-7708 for assistance in selecting the right stone to use in your space.

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The Benefits of an Outdoor Fire Pit

fieldstoneadmin — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 02:21:21 +0000

When you love spending time outside, having a fire pit adds a comfortable space that allows you to enjoy the season longer. Use it to entertain, relax, cook and enjoy for years when you build it with beautiful stone. Stone luxuries that extend the living space outdoors are all the craze when it comes to increasing your property value. Let’s look more closely at these benefits.

Reasons to install an outdoor fire pit

Extend your time outdoors

Even as the weather gets chilly, creating a cozy environment to enjoy has never been easier. A fire pit area provides a casual hangout for friends and family during a cool night. It gives you the opportunity to extend your living space outdoors late into the fall, during mild winter nights and early in the spring. Design a welcoming stone walkway that leisurely strolls to the fire pit area or build it as an extension to your existing patio. It will be a great area to savor the warmth of the fire.

Provide an entertainment factor

Camping trips have a way of gathering everyone together and the fire is where they congregate for evening entertainment. You will have an exciting place to gather and entertain right in your back yard. Bring out the marshmallows, make s’mores and get ready to tell stories for many good times. And because this will be a permanent entertainment area, you can custom build stone benches around the fire pit for the ultra-comfortable party place.

Create a private retreat

When you are not throwing parties and entertaining you will still have the ambiance of a captivating fire while stargazing with loved ones. It can be your retreat that inspires while providing rest and relaxation. After a full day get ready to settle down and unwind in your own private outdoor space. For an intimate setting, find a secluded place in your garden and build a seating area into a stone wall that surrounds the fire.

Create a fun cooking experience

A fire pit creates a whole different experience in cooking outdoors compared to grilling. The kids will have fun cooking hot dogs and kabobs on sticks over the fire. You can also bring the camping experience to your backdoor by wrapping meat, potatoes and vegetables in foil to cook on the fire. For the ultimate luxury, incorporate grates or grills over the fire so you can use it as a barbecue.

Increase your property value

It is an attractive focal point that can make your outdoor living space stand apart from others when you decide to sell. Building a pit of natural stone adds to the beauty and tends to be elaborate. It is durable and will last season after season. The versatility of stone works well with any environment, whether used in a luxurious extension of a patio or in a sophisticated garden setting.

When you install a fire pit with stone you can make the most of your outdoor space for several years. Besides having an enjoyable space, it can increase the value of your home and more. For help on selecting the best stone to build it, contact Fieldstone Center at (770) 385-7708. We also have pre-constructed kits available.

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Fire Pits

fieldstoneadmin — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 18:24:16 +0000

Spring has sprung! With cool nights, what better way to enjoy the outdoors than with a fire pit. Easy for the Do-it-Yourselfer to install, affordable, functional, and enjoyable. Let the ambiance and the warmth of a fire pit relax you or feel like a kid again with the kiddos roasting your marshmallows and hotdogs!

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