Custom Fire Pit Designs for West Chester PA Outdoor Spaces

Things to Consider When Designing Custom Fire Pits West Chester, PA 

Once you decide that you want to add a fire pit to your outdoor living space, it can be tempting to jump right in and start designing. However, this isn’t always the best idea. In fact, there is a lot that you’ll need to consider beforehand. So, here are some of the most important things you’ll need to think about before you start designing your new fire pit.

Budget

The first step to starting any project is to decide on your budget. Even though fire pits are generally on the cheaper side when it comes to hardscape enhancement projects, if you don’t set a limit for yourself, you could end up paying a lot more than you want to. No matter what ideas you have for your fire pit, it's always best to decide what you are willing to spend early so that you don’t end up disappointed.

Location and Orientation 

Deciding on a location may seem simple enough, but you may be surprised by just how much thought you’ll need to put into this. Not only does there need to be enough space for the fire pit itself, but you’ll also need to make sure that it is far enough away from your home to be safe and in compliance with any local fire and building codes.

Another thing that you should think about is the wind. Getting smoke blown in your face is never a pleasant experience, but if you don’t think about what way the wind tends to blow on your property, this may end up being a harsh reality that you can’t escape from. So, if you can place your fire pit in a location that’s less windy than other parts of your landscape, it’s always in your best interest to do just that. 

How to Design the Perfect West Chester Fire Pit

Now that you’ve thought about all the basics, it's time to actually start designing your new dream fire pit. Again, there are a lot of different things to consider, but as long as you put enough thought into them all, you’re guaranteed to end up with a fire pit that you won’t be able to get enough of.

General Design

From normal fire pits that sit on top of the ground to in-ground and even sunken designs, there are a lot of different types of fire pits to choose from. The most important thing is that you choose one that meets your stylistic preferences and budget. 

Normal fire pits tend to be the cheapest and easiest to build, but more expensive and labor-intensive sunken fire pits with in-ground seating surrounding them can create a comfortable and intimate feel that other designs can’t compete with. At the end of the day, all these design options are great. You just have to pick your favorite. 

Height and Width

These details may seem a bit trivial, but they do play a big role in where you’ll be able to put your fire pit, how safe it is, and how much you’ll enjoy it. Make it too high or low, and it could compromise the safety of those around it. Additionally, if you make it too wide, you may not be able to talk to people sitting on the other side comfortably. 

In general, anywhere between 6 and 12 inches tall is a great height, while the width you choose is entirely up to your own preferences. 

Choosing Materials

Deciding what materials to use in your fire pit is a big deal. Not only do the materials you choose need to look good and complement the surrounding landscape, but they also need to be able to withstand high temperatures for extended periods of time. 

You may be surprised to find out that some of the most common fire pit building materials aren’t actually very good at handling heat. Natural stones often crack and splinter, and concrete can even explode if it gets too hot. Still, if the type of material you want to use isn’t rated highly for being able to handle heat, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t use it. 

What it does mean, however, is that you’ll also need to install some sort of metal liner, like stainless steel. As long as the fire isn’t directly touching the stones or concrete and there is enough air space between the metal liner and the surrounding stones, your fire pit will be safe and ready to last for years to come. 



Design Details

Once you have the main bit of your design set in stone, you can start thinking about the details. Is there a particular shape you have in mind for your fire pit? What about seating? Will there be enough of it, and do you want it to be a movable or permanent feature? Are there any additional features that you’d like to add? You should think carefully about all of these questions if you want to create a fire pit that truly meets all your wants and needs.

Contact R&S Property Services Today

Are you a West Chester resident looking to add a custom fire pit to your outdoor space? Give R&S Property Services a call. Their talented team of landscape construction experts has built countless outdoor living spaces for clients all over Chester County and is well-equipped to bring your dream fire pit to life. So, don’t push off your fire pit aspirations any longer. Call R&S Property Services and get the custom fire pit you’ve always wanted today!