Choose a Fire Pit to Amp Up Your Outdoor Space
The Fire Pit Is the New Living Room Hearth
Investments in outdoor entertaining space surge amid COVID-19
Jason Finn / Alamy Stock Photo These days, hosting friends for dinner or drinks indoors is off the table for many, amid concerns about transmission of . Instead, the backyard fire pit has become a focal point for gathering. Topping many home improvement wish lists, fire pits can run the gamut from elaborately hardscaped to simple, portable and inexpensive. And and limitations around socializing have sparked an overwhelming yearning for these cozy backyard spaces designed for entertaining. "As people have been isolating in their homes and social distancing, they naturally have gone outside … and looked for places that they can connect with other people,” says Joe Raboine, director of residential hardscapes at Belgard in Atlanta. “Our contractors and dealers are just seeing an absolute explosion in interest in fire pits." Join today and save 25% off the standard annual rate. Get instant access to discounts, programs, services, and the information you need to benefit every area of your life. Expanded outdoor living
Debbie Silverman, 61, of Salem, New Hampshire, envisions year-round use of the patio with built-in fire pit she's currently having constructed at her lake house. She's anticipating creating s'mores this summer, and warming her toes by the fire with friends in cooler weather. Silverman began construction of the fire pit in the midst of the pandemic and sees value in the expanded outdoor living space. She has plans to do a lot more al fresco entertaining and “hang out and enjoy it in the evening,” she says. Similar to the hearth in a living room, a fire pit serves as a cheerful congregation spot with crackling flames that create ambiance. The options range from easy-to-assemble metal bowls to intricate designs of stone, concrete or brick requiring professional installation. It is not just the craving for connection during quarantine that has led to unprecedented demand for fire pits. At Weckesser Brick in Rochester, New York, sales of DIY fire pits have quadrupled over last summer and the manufacturer is racing to keep up, says owner Tim Weckesser. "People are home and … have money that they were going to spend on a vacation [to invest in] a patio and fire pit,” he says. Tetra Images / Alamy Stock Photo Portable or permanent
Investments in fire pits may be increasing due to COVID-19, but Weckesser predicts that the enjoyment will far outlast the global pandemic. "People are being more cautious about going out … but I do feel like this is a trend that will continue,” he says. “Fire pits allow for family to get together, and it's a good reason to just gather around and have a good time." Nancy Lubarsky, 63, wanted a small, portable fire pit for her beach house in Long Branch, New Jersey, where she is spending time until it's safe to travel again. "We just wanted to make it as ‘vacation-y’ as possible and have a place where we could sit around the campfire,” she says. Lubarsky ordered a metal fire pit on a stand with a mesh screen cover from Amazon. Her husband assembled it and, within hours, the couple had a cozy campfire on their patio. She looks forward to roasting marshmallows with her 4- and 8-year-old grandchildren on their next visit. Silverman, of New Hampshire, knew she wanted a more permanent structure. She searched Pinterest for inspiration and hired a landscaping crew to bring her vision for a rectangular fire pit with built-in seating to life. She designed a space below the brick benches to store firewood. Silverman plans to use the space all year. "It's not just a summertime thing,” she says. “We're not afraid to sit outside in the cold." Here are some considerations for constructing or purchasing a fire pit: Nadine Mitchell / Alamy Stock Photo Burning wood or gas
Before inviting families over for a socially distanced visit around the fire pit, Raboine suggests reviewing local regulations. Some municipalities prohibit burning wood. In those cases, a fire pit can be connected to the gas line on the house or powered with a propane tank similar to those used on a gas grill. The interest in gas fire pits is growing, but wood remains the most popular option. “A lot of people love the smell of a campfire with the burning of wood,” Raboine says. Location location location
Think carefully about the safest spot for your fire pit. Local regulations often establish setbacks requiring fire pits to be placed a specific distance from the house and other structures to minimize the . Choose materials such as steel or brick that are rated for high heat and set them on a noncombustible surface such as concrete, crushed stone or patio pavers with an 8-foot (or larger) radius around the fire pit to prevent embers from sparking flammable materials. Most important, Raboine adds: “Make sure you fully extinguish [the fire] with water when you are done." Renovation Ideas for Every Budget
Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
Close In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails related to AARP volunteering. Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly receive communications related to AARP volunteering. In the meantime, please feel free to search for ways to make a difference in your community at Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again.